The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-11-03
GOOD MAN NERs-THEIR WANT AND
TIL EIR INFLUENCE.

GOOD MAN NERs--THEIR WANT AND
TIL EIR INFLUENCE.
There are not few who are accustomed
to associate the idea Of pollteness with pre-.
tension and hypocrisy and this erroneous
opinion exerts an unfortunate influence upon
the manners aud social bearing of millions.
say unfortunate influence, for the reason
that every cause Of coarscness and yulgarity
deserves to be deeply depIored.
Few characteristics are worthy Of higher
estimation than true poliieness, digni6ed and
gentee department. And that none should
mistake nv intention. lei me remark that by
the term politeness | mean something lar
higher and nobler than may seem to attach To
the idea. There is mnch that passes with
the ignorant and dishonest as politeness
which deserves not the name, and should find
no advocate among sober and intelligent peo
pie. 10 bow with grace and smile with com-
plaisance, TO assume a manner Of suayity and
kindness which has no beneyolence, no heart
in II, 10 put On the manner oi courteous bear
ing merely 10 serve purpose, TO lay il aside
when the occasion that called il forth was
passed BY, is the mere counterfeit Of the
manners 0f well-bred and genteel society.
Dancing masters, fops ard llirts may be ex-
cu.ed for the practice uf this spurious style
af politenes.; but that which respectable and
intelligent people should possess, and which
should be taught III all our sthooIs, j. as un.
like this as gold is unlike its cheapest coun.
terleit IL has lis origin in the heart. II is
the Development and exercise Of outward
manifestation. the practical application Of the
Al IL l.s a
should do to you, do you even 50 to Ihem." "
As we wish others TO treat US with kind res.
poet, showing regard for our feelings and
a desire for our happiness. 50 should be our
manner toward them. This spirit will ever
induce genuine courtesy aud pollteness, as a
Characteristic Of human intercourse. Aud
the possession and exercise Of this spirit
among people would 20 Iar 70 induce tie high.
est well-being Of society. DissentiOn. strife,
bitterness, aud numberiess other sources OF
misery would seldom arise.
But the tendency Ut things al tile present
day is not in the direction of this temper and
tone,of bearing. but decidedly the reverse.
Aud in this respect, as in regard 10 health,
there mauilcstly has been rapid progress in
the wrong direction during the last twenty
years.
Phrenologists affirm that the organs of rev.
erence is much less prominently Developed
upon the crania Ol nur youth than upnn thnse
ol their parents. However this may be, Il
requires but little investigation 10 make the
discovery That Young America acknowledges
no snperinrs within the circle Of his acquain.
lance. Tie has heard 50 much nonsense III
regard TO the unparalleled greatness aud gIo.
~ Of the American people, their nisdom aud
prowess, their vast aah overwhelming supe.
riority TO all other nations, thar be has come
to the absurd conclusion ihst " We are tic
] people, and wisdom will die with u.s." And
unfortunately for him, he has in some way
deduccd the conclusion that among all the
thirty millions Of wise men aud heroes Wht
make up this great nation, no une is quite 81
wise aud heroic as his own individual self
j This elevated scll-estimation leads hin "a
take on airs not at all expressive 0frespcct lnr
the opinions ol others. 10 treat them deler.
entially would be TO treat himself with 10
dignity. This temper of necessity lead,
to coarsencss and rudeness Of bearing. I,
gross violations u all the principles oI true
courtesy, u genuine puliiencss.
In regard TO this matter the schools Of oul
land have not been Iaultless. The new race
Of teachers doubtless have done much 10 los
ter this evil. People who are now fort,
years Of age very well remember that in thei
school days the practice Of pOliieness, in form
at least, was q requirement which none coult
disregard with impunity. No boy entertain.
ed such just and appreciativc ideas d th,
virtue which there Is in the rod and ierul,
as he who had been guilty Of what the teach
er held to be an infraction Of the rules o
good manners. When, going TO OF returnin!
II A a 4 =. 9