Conservatives seeking guidance about last week’s Supreme Court ruling, which gives same-sex couples the right to marry, can turn to the political leadership in Texas, and keep fighting. Or they can go with the Ohio brand of conservatism and abide by what the governor there calls “the law of the land.”

The apparent disparity of response by the leaders of two of America’s largest red states seems to signal that debate will continue over public perception of the traditional marital bond.

In Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton called the Supreme Court decision a “lawless ruling” and said state workers can cite their religious objections in denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Paxton, a conservative Repbublican, warned that any clerk, justice of the peace or other administrator who declines to issue a license could face litigation or a fine. But, Paxton added, “numerous lawyers” stand ready to defend, free of charge, any public official refusing to grant one.

In a nonbinding legal opinion requested by Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Paxton said the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling Friday did nothing to curb the rights of religious liberty or moral conviction.

However, those who choose to oppose the ruling on religious or moral grounds can expect consequences.

“This newly minted federal constitutional right to same-sex marriage can and should peaceably coexist with long-standing constitutional and statutory rights, including the rights to free exercise of religion and freedom of speech,” the AG wrote.

Paxton’s comments echoed those of Gov. Greg Abbott, who said Texans can’t be forced by the court ruling to act contrary to their religious beliefs.

While Texas conservatives sound like they’re itchin’ for a fight, Ohio’s approach is a little less defiant. Gov. John Kasich has been asking Ohioans to “take a deep breath” and move on.

“I believe in traditional marriage, but the Supreme Court has ruled, it’s the law of the land, and we’ll abide by it,” Kasich said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

Ultimately, Kasich said, there are many other issues of greater importance — employment, national security and “healing the division between races” among them.

Within a few weeks, Kasich is expected to announce his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, so it’s presumed he chose his words carefully.

More significant is Kasich’s call for tolerance — a characteristic lacking in most statehouses and on Capitol Hill.

Considering the two red states’ response, Ohio’s seems not only the more sensible, but also more aligned with the conservative core value of individual liberty. It’s laudable for conservatives to keep in mind that individual freedoms extend to others, not just themselves.