The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1901-09-26

BY what way do men come to be Nc
Kinleys? And by what ways do they
develop into Polish assassips? And
are these ways as widely apart at the
beginning as they are at the ending?
First of all, in seeking an answer TO
this question, look for a foundation
upon which to tade my stand. That
foundation, for there is none other,
shall consist of right, eternal truth.
Planting, then, myself firmly upon this
enduring rock l proclaim this to be
true, that both the course OF good and
the course of evil lead forth, and
away from, identically the same point.
Sin, therefore, has its origin in the
perversion and abuse of that which is
fundamentally right and proper. So
Error is the distortion and misap-
plication of the essentials of truth.
This is eminently true whether of the
social, civil, or religious world. Law
and authority when rightly under
stood and administered, are both
fundamentally and essentially good.
But the very same, when abused be-
come tyranny, and are curse to any
nation. Likewise liberty, which we
all love and for which we are ready to
give our llfe's blood, when it is
conceived to mean license, and an
excuse for wrong-doing of any sort is
an evil, and as well menace to all
noble institutions.
Follow therefore the course of
license, or the abuse of anv legitimate
right and power and it were vain for
us to hope to escape the natural and
inevitable results. Freedom of speech
is blessing to any people. But when
freedom of speech is taken to mean
the right to diStort and abuse, to
execrate and lampoon, to hold up to
contempt and ridicule, then it is that
the divine idea has been mlSconceived,
ard prostituted to an unholy and il
legitimate use. And it will certainly
bear fruit after it's kind. Honest and
earnest disagreement and discussion
are both wholesome and good. But
it does not follow that where there is
diverse opinion and difference of
understanding that then and there is
born to right the denounce, to call in
question motive and principle, and
otherwise to detract and cheaper.
Anarchy has much for which it is it
self to be held strictly accountable.
But anarchy is far from being wholly
TO blame, whether as to its own exist
ence or as to the fruits which it brings
TO the harvest. An aptitude OF
propensity in any direction is assisted
nightly on its way both by sugges-
ton and encouragement. Hence /
hold it to be safe teaching that no
one has morally the right either from
the stump on the platform, or the
pulpit, or through the press or from
anywhere, to pour contempt and
ridicule upon the well meant ideas
and achievements of his fellow. 1t
will be sad day for the cause of right
and truth and sacred honor, but a
most glorious day indeed for anarchy
and its kindred doctrines the time
should ever come when we shall re-
gard other men as being as great
humbugs as we feel ourselves to be,
and their motives and endeayUrS as
insincere and unpraiseworthy as our
own.
We deteSt anarchy, and must be rid
of it. But how will it do to begin the
reformation with ourselves? Is it
not high time that we seek to curb
and control the hysterical tendency
among us to berate and belittle, to
rant and fume in rabid speech and
wild harangue?
Instead of furnishing suggestion and
inspiration to the law-breaker and the
assassin, would it not be we'll for us,
by the wholesome example of reason
and self-control, TO try TO set a check
upon all violent and foolish )utbursts
whether in act or in spirit? More
over our churches and schools possess
marvellous power to tame, to soften
and save; and they will succeed where
even the imperial hand OF the law,
backed by armed men, will be of little
avail. The growing tendency to hold
human life and character as something
cheap or visionary, should be crushed
out with a mightys hand. And all
things high and sacred and holy,
should be reverenced and respected
without stint or question. In short,
if we would change conditions among
US, we need but to have faith in, and
to PIT due emphasis upon, the true
and proper agencies, and the glorious
end will certainly be achieved.
1t was his unyarying adherence to
such course as this that enabled