The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-08-05
INTOLERANCE.


There are differences in points OF view
that set up barriers between good men.
Sneocer observes that there is no reason to
suspect the honesty of many pohtlcal ana
theological partisans, yet their honesty
does not preserve them from the worst IN
tellectual habits, such as begging the
question:" disappearing the arguments
Of the opposite side, shutting the eyes to
every fact which is not perfectly agreeable
to them. On the political side this philoso-
pher accurately describes our political
campaigns as the gaining of votes by clap
trap appeals to senseless prejudice and by
fostering the hope of impossible DEMENT'S.
IL fact, according to the author of "The
Study Of Sociology there are so many
biases that stand in the way of perfect
federation that one must be singularly Ju-
dicial in ones attitude toward controverted
things TO escape the influence OF one or
more prejudies.
1t is hard to accept the dictum of another
social philosopher that there is no one who
does not exaggerate, yet there are few OF US
who are not prone to little misrepresenta-
ton in defending our side or in assaiing
the views of others. Such is the weakness
of human nature in the mass that it is loath
to abandon position once taken, and will
fortify it by sophistry and suppression OF
truth. It requires moral courage to speak
the bald truth under all circumstances, to
confess error openly and to recede from an
untenable belief. Bacon points out that
the ablest and best men have all had open
ness and frankness in opinion. "Certain
it is heaven upon earth to have mans
mind move in charity, rest in Providence
and turn upon the poles of truth 1t is
not given us here to perceive the whole
truth, but we can try to discover it with an
open mind. Leasing beautifully says:
eff God should hold all truth in His right
hand and in His left only the ever-active
impulse in the pursuit of truth, although
with the condition that should always and
forever err; and should say to me, choose,
l should fall with submission upon His left
hand and say, Father, give me this. Pure
tEGiiA ssssiss .tt..l 1Thss alone
in the leash by an exalted patriotism. The
founders Of the American Republic saw a
peril IN unchecked partisanship. Jeffer-
son, in his first inaugural, said that the
country, having banished religious intol-
erance, under which mankind so long suf-
fered, had gained little if it countenanced
political intolerance and despotism. Un-
licensed partianship has been aptly de.
scrbed to be mode of giving vent to
pride, envy, hatred and all uncharitable-
ness under the pretext of "self-defense,
the public safety or voice from heaven,
In virtue of a nickname, a watchword of a
party, badge, the color of ribbon and
the cut OF a Dress"
The division of mankind into multitude
OF parties, sects and creeds is reflected too
faithfully in the distinctions and cleayapes
that divide society. A species of social
intolerance arises which prevents the rec
ognltlon Of personal worth. The spirit of
Intolerance once manifested in violent and
cruel forms has vanished, but we still
cherish unreasonable prejudices founded
on slight differences of opinion. We are
born INTO certain prejudices, and cling to
them because they are inherited. Few
among US apply the searchlights of inquiry
ana reason to opposing beliefs. That the
other side is hopelessly in the wrong is
accepted as an a priori truth that needs No
examination.
Pride of opinion makes towards of ns
1t requires more courage to confess long.
cherished error of judgment than most
persons possess. If a. man changes his
view he is in danger of being regarded as a
person Of vacillating disposition-fatal to
public confidence in his judgment. Ifone
cannot accept the opinions of others. one
can at least respect their misguided sim
centy' 1.-The human mind plays the in
lefested advocate much oftener than the
upright and inflexible judge in the colorine
ana reilef it gives to the facts brought be- :
lore it 1t is exceedingly difficult for US
o take the Judicial poise on some cues.
ions. The errors of others who have
swallowed the lie, the cant, the sophism'' T
mould be viewed with kindly tolerance.
The PURsE-PRoUD.-When thou seest 2 a
nan elated with pride glorying in his riches
nd nigh descent, rising even above for. G
une, look out for speedy punishment. for G.
e IS only raised the hipher that he no., =