The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-11-24
Refinement.


The American people arc noted for
their plsinncss, tluptness and lack OF re-
fpement. This trait is more readily per-
ceiyed by The traveller, as he listens to
the various trains of argument-the lofty
strains of logic which ever vibrate upon
the tympanup in our public houses and on
our public conveyances. Each disputant
is self confident, egotistc and emphatic
aRg right in his position, and all who beg
leave to differ with hIm are shroSded in
moral. political or mental darkness. That
this trait exists with the masses of the
American people, is an axiom which Is ap-
parent to all men of careful observation
This great national disease, like all phys
ical diseases, has its causes, and We hum
bly trust its cure. The great cause is the
way we educate our youth. The first
thing our boys learn is often to give the
lie to any play mate who dares oppose
their own knowledge or views. Again,
our present mode of education is far too
mech a nical and not sufficiently mental
Men may have the form of godliness
without the power, and also the form OF
knowledge without the power which
finished education gives the human mind.
The first eleme utary lessons which we
should strive to learn, is our duty to our
creator and to our fellow men. If We
omit to learn these, We spend our time
and money in vain. The artistic skill Of
the tailor is fruitless if he expects to make
gentleman out of any customer who has
not learned these first principles. which
adorp the character of every wise man or
scholar. Another cause, is the great
amount of superficial knowledge which
the American people possess. There are
thou-ands Of men who are somewhat pos-
ted on many topics and yet have no depth
of intelligence on any. They are like
men, doing great business on a small
capital, who, in property, make fair
show in the world, but when financial en-
tarrsssmeuts shake the commercial world ),
they fall to their proper level. do not
disapprove of general OF superficial intel.
ligence. or Of men with a small capital,
launching out into busipess-provided
they will live aud act within their means.
There is large and respectable class OF
men who fall into the opposite extreme.
They are tho devout worshipers of sin
gle idea. They mount their favorite bob
by, and Jehu like, they run fearlessly
agaiu-t every opposing element Now.
gentle reader, do not too speedily come
to the conclusion that you do not belong
to this latter formidable phalanx. | will
partcularize few of the NJ ost prominent
hobbies -favorites with the American
people. Doubtless the Almighty dollsry
stands the most conspicuous; next to this.
some darling political principle or issue,
and also moral duties and obligations
Our limits will not permit US to illustrate
these facts, OF need we. Every intelli-
gent mind can readily perceive, if it takes
peep within itself or into the world,
these truths standing in bold relief, with
out fear of contradiction.
We do not disapprove Of concentration
of mind or action Oh any subject, but on
the other hand approve of it as far as bu-
siness is concerned, provided it is season
ed with charity to the rect of mankind.
Lastly, our lack of refinement is the le
gitimste offspring of our ignorance. If
We pause for short time and canvas our
own minds, We shall 6nd much less posi-
tiUe k11olcJecge in our possession, than we
may, perhaps, have supposed. Still, this
is all the ready capital that will in the
future be valuable to US. We often place
more value upon own our erroneous ex-
pressions than upon the truthful expert
ence Of our friends.
These are some of the causes which
tend to make us, the people we are
The cure must, perhaps, be apparent to
all, viz: teach our sons 10 think far them
.elCeS and respect tie opinions Of others,
ever remembering that others have feel
ings as well as ourselves. 1t is our duty
to respect the opinions of our friends a.
much as it is to disprove and strive to
correct their errors. | eaudidly believe
that more than one half the useless dis
cussions, arising in our country, on phys
ica, mental and moral subjects, grow out
Of the fact, that We pretend to know N ore
about the business of others than they
know themselves.