But what I complain of is, that when men have got the freedom, three
out of four of them will not use it. What?--someone will answer--Do
you suppose that I will not say what I choose, and that I dare not
speak my own mind to any man? Doubtless. But are you sure first,
that you think what you choose, or only what someone else chooses for
you? Are you sure that you make up your own mind before you speak,
or let someone else make it up for you? Your speech may be free
enough, my good friend; and Heaven forbid that it should be anything
else: but are your thoughts free likewise? Are you sure that,
though you may hate bigotry in others, you are not somewhat of a
bigot yourself? That you do not look at only one side of a question,
and that the one which pleases you? That you do not take up your
opinions at second hand, from some book or some newspaper, which
after all only reflects your own feelings, your own opinions? You
should ask yourselves that question, seriously and often: "Are my
thoughts really free?" No one values more highly than I do the
advantage of a free press. But you must remember always that a
newspaper editor, however honest or able, is no more infallible than
the Pope; that he may, just as you may, only see one side of a
question, while any question is sure to have two sides, or perhaps
three or four; and if you only see the side which suits you, day
after day, month after month, you must needs become bigoted to it.
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