Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-09-30
Tia Shirt Of Tolerance.

The Spirit Of Tolerance.
In his great address at the famous
4 tabernacle in Salt Lake City Presi-
dent Taft voiced a great truth when
he said:
1--WE ought to avoid the acrimonious
discussion that consigns everybody
who is opposed to our view to perd1-
ton. Life is too valuable to waste in
anger and hatred and the charging
and denunciation of our. fellow-men
when they don't deserve it,"
| 1t is one of the gratifying signs OF
American progress that discussions OF
matters of public interest-especially
those pertaining to politics and relig-
ion, have become less and less bitter
with the lapse of time The nation is
making progress. 1t is developing
broader and more tolerant spirit. We
are learning to respect the opinions
of our neighbors, honestly entertained,
although we do not coincide in them.
No longer are differences touching
matters of politics or religious belief
allowed to enter into the every day
relations of individuals and commune
ties to the extent that they did in the
early days of the Republic. The
American people have come very gen.
orally to recognize that differences in
these matters have no proper bearing
upon social relations or personal
friendships. A better and a broader
spirit prevails. Difference of view is
no longer looked upon as a sufficient
reason for questioning the honesty OF
one who does not look upon life and
its problems from our own point OF
view. AS President Taft we'll said, i'll
the address above referred to, hatred
and resentment which accompanies the
attributng of bad motive to those
who differ with you is a source of
waste of nervous strength, Of time, OF
worry, without accomplishing single
good thing"
| 1t does not follow that in cheerfully
according ones neighbor the right to
| his opinions, one need be in any de-
gree the less tenacious of his own.
1t is right for every man to be ready
with reasons for the faith that is in
him. There need be no occasion for
him to conceal his views, and II he
entertains them honestly there need
never be any occasion for HIM to apOl-
ogize for them The same spirit how
ever of liberation for his convictions
which he expects from other men, he
should stand ready to accord to them.
1t is gratifying fact that the per-
sonal bitterness which formerly
| characterized great political contests
| in this country have been happily alb
sent from the big campaigns of re-
cent years. There has been a general
| disposition to confine such contests to
the issues, and while meeting and
combating the political views of an
opponent to spare his personality and
man better illustrates this spirit of
the times than that of w. j. Bryan.
His political opponents join cheerfuliy
with his followers in recognizing the
charm of his personality. They con-
cede him to be a clean, upright, able
and patriotic mana good neighhor,
and good fellow. Wherever he has
gone, even in the height Of strenuous
campaigns he has been cordially
greeted by immense crowds. who were
glad to give him hearty welcome
and patient hearing, even if they did
country enjoy today a greater degree
of personal popularity with the Ameri-
can people. In spite of all this how
ever, there is very general dissent
from his political views, which are re-
garded as unsound and dangerous to
the best interests of the republic if
they should ever be applied to the
actual problems of government This
fact has been emphasized by tremen-
dous majorities in three great cleo
tions. Stu the people believe that Mr.
Bryan is as honest and sincere in his
opinions as he is fearless in express
ling them. For this reason they re-
Spect him \ them. even while they do
not endorse them. President Tafts
Journey has been q notable one, and
been everywhere received with en-
thusiasm; But in none of them has he
struck higher, truer chord than in
tabernacle.