WICKED" OPINIONS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.") Siu,—I don't intend to interfere in your dispute with " W.R.G." But first, as a member of the same profession with yourself, and, secondly, as a man of liberal opinions—not in the cant political sense, hut in a higher and truer one—I wish to ask you whether you seriously and deliberately justify the language you have used towards that gentleman ? This is a question which in- terests not him only, but all who care for freedom of opinion. You charged "W. R. G." with thinking that slavery was the bast state for the negro, and you called that opinion "the height of philosophical wickedness." Now I could understand that ex- pression if I met with it in the Record or the 7ablet. But the Spec- tator belongs to a school which professes to believe that there can be no wickedness in opinions, except that of forming them reck- lessly, and holding them without investigation. If you mean to impute the latter offence to "W. R. G ," say so, and be laughed at. But if not, pray explain how it can be wicked to think that a negro is a grown-up child, unfit for freedom, and happiest, and most virtuous, and least degraded in slavery. It may be a mis- take, though all evidence and all facts are in its favour; but how, on any other principles than those of Gregory VII. and Philip II., can it be "wicked?" When I read the sentence in question, my impression was that it was admitted by accident, and would be apologized for. How- ever, as you stand by its .1, psnatnask you to explain it, because it is add.reesed not to " RI,V.only, but to all who hold the same opinions ; among whorn,..W2th many wiser and better men than you or I, you may rank youf,obedient servant,: „
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