Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-03-28
The Art of Convincing.

The New York Ledger gets off the follow
ing:
Who shall teach Reformers" modesty
The conceit of this particular class of hu-
man beings is, at once, amusing and amaz-
ing. Ono of them conceives an idea, or
forms scheme for improving something. and
ard essays to bring other men to his opinion.
DSes be- make polite bow. and request his
auditor TO listen to modest statement of his
reasons? Far from it. He expects to ac-
complish his purpose by laying down the fol.
lowing propositions:
l. Any man who does not think as think
is deficient in moral sense.
2. Any man who does not think as think
has had the misfortune not to inherit from his
parents refined and lMPREssIBLE organiza.
| tion.
B. Any man who does not think as think
prefers his interest to his duty.
4. ANY man who does not think as l think
is probably legal descendant of Judas Is.
CARROT, or second cousin to Benedict Arnold.
s. Any man who does not think as think
is perfect fool, and "little better than one OF
the wicked"
These propositions to a thorough going,
one-idead reformer are selfevident. The only
difficulty is, that people who arc so unhappy
as to differ from him in opinion cannot regard
themselves in that light, The consequence
is that the people in general are apt to con-
ccive certain repugnance to that portion of
our frllow-citizens who are identified with
"progress" and the "good cause"
Thus curious immodesty, it seems, is no
modern pccularity. DIR. Franklin relates in
his autobiography, that, when he was about
| fifteen years old, he had violent attack OF
the reforming conccit, ana used to berate
those who opposed him in the same ridiculous
manner that is in vogue among the New
Lights of the present generation. Soon,
however, he found it best to change his tuc.
tics.
His remarks on this subject nrc so much to
the point, that we will take the liberty Of max
| ing short extract from them:
Il continued this (disputatious) method
some few years, but gradually left it. retain.
ing only tho habit Of expressing myself in
terms Of modest ditfilence; never using.
when advanced anything TINT might posi-.
bly be disputed. the word certainty, xRdOxbt.
ed/y. or any other that gave the mir of posi-
| tveness to an opinion; but rather said, l
conceire or aPprchcnI thing to be SO and so
it appears to me, OR should not think il is
so, for such and such reasons; or I imagine
It to be so; or IL IS so, if Ian not mistaken.
This habit, believe, has been of great ad.
vantage to mo when have had occasion to
inculcate my opinions, and persuade men into
measures that l have been from time to time
engaged in promoting; and, as the chief ends
OF conversation are to inform or be informed,
to please or to persuade, wish well meaning
and sensible men would not lessen their pow
cr of doing good by positive, assuming
manner. that seldom fails to disgust, tends to
create opposition, and to defeat most of those
purposes for which speech was given to us.
In fact, If you wish to instrct others, pos
tive, dogmatical manner in advancing your
sentiments may occasion opposition and pre-
vent candid attention. II you desire i'm.
provcment from others. you should not, at the
same time. express yourself fixed in your
present opinions; modest and sensible ,nen
who do not love disputations. will leave you
undsturbed i'll the possession OF your errors.
In adopting such manner. you can seldom
expect to please your hearers, or obtain the
concurrence you desire. Pope judiciously
| observes:
Men must be taught as II you taught them not,
And things unknown proposed things forgot
He also recommends it to us,
TO speak, though sure, with seeming difddcnce.'
And 10 might have joined with this lins that
which he has coupled with another. think.
less properly:
For want Of modcsty is want Of sense
II you ask why less properly, must repeat
tho lines,
'rnmodcst words admit Of no defence.
For want Of modesty in want Of sense
Now is not tho munt Of sense (wllers man
is so unfortunate as to want it) some apology
for his rant Of modesty! and would not the
lines stand more justly thus
'Immodcst words admit but this defence
That want Of modcsty is want Of sense"