"This is a free country, and that
sort of thing. But if he means to express political opinions he should not
cry aloud at every tea-party in town that he is neutral and takes no
active part in politics. I think that writing violent articles in a
newspaper is a very active part indeed. And he should not go about saying
that he has the highest reverence for a man, and then call him a lunatic
and a charlatan in print, unless he is willing to sign his name to it, and
take the consequences. Should he? I think it is vile, and horrid, and
abominable, and nasty, and I hate him."
"With the exception of the peroration to that speech," said John, who was
very much amused, "I am afraid I must agree with you. A man certainly
ought not to do any of those things."
"Then why do you defend him?" asked Joe, with flashing eyes.
"Because, on general principles, I do not think a man is so much worse
than his fellows because he does things they would very likely do in his
place. There are things done every day, all over the world, quite as bad
as that, and no one takes much notice of them.
Pages:
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195