The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-12-28


The basis Of all true peliteness is kind
ness. All peliteness shesld be real, anc
from the heart. If you constantly striv'
to reason away your prejudices agains
people you will become polite. Most o
our dislikss have very little foundation
A large proportion of them spring from
idle gossip, from fancied sights, or fren
trials of our temper which we could very
easily forgive, were it really eur interes
to do So. .....aa4
| But it is always our interest to keep
on the best terms with every one whe i,
not really bad or disreputable. To dc
this one must maintain an unceasing watch
over his er her temper, and suffer NO op-
portunity to escape, however trihing, oi
gratifying others. If kindness of heart
be the first requisite in politeness, it is
quite as true that assiduity is net less
needed.
Politeness is manifested by courteous
inquiries after the friends and families Of
these whom you meet, and in manifesting
cordial interest in them. 1t is shown
by devoting little space in every letter
to IRENE nj brances" for friends. 1t is a
highly gratifying form of politeness TO
write occasionally to all from whom you
have received Kindness which warrant you
in SO doing. 1t is polite to conform yeur
dress, and Gin reason) your habits, to the
taste or feeling of whose guest or associ-
ate yeu may be. 1t is polite and COM
plime ntary to inquire after any one of
whose acquaintance your friend may have
reason to be proud. 1t is polite. when
you are a guest, to endeavor to enjsy
yourself and make others do so. It is
polite to those whe are assembled in any
place, to avoid heated argument, and all
noisy remarks or remarkable" conduct.
It is polite to promptly ask every one to
take chair whe enters your house or
Office, and the more cultivated you are,
the mere widely will you extend such
courtesies to humble people. 1t is polite
to do everything for another which would
crafty him or her, and is not unreason
able. 1t is polite to make no allusion to
age. 1t is polite 10 spare people older
than yourself, and women of any age, any
exertien or personal effort even in the
merest trifies. 1t is polite to take no no
tce whatever of accidents or annoying
occurrences, unless by so doing you can
be of assistance. It is polite to make
ready and unstudied sacrifices Of your
exertieh or of your comfort to crafty
ethers; as, for instance, to always escort
any lady, or dc service for friend 1t
is polite to suppress ysur peculiar tenets
in religion or politicA before those who
differ with you. 1t is petite to never take
it upon yourself in any way to punish
any person, unless it be distinctly your
business to do SO. It is polite to aveid
practical Jokes. 1t is polite when you
have offended any one, or hurt his feel
ings in any way, to apologize for it, as
clearly as possible, without reservation of
excuse, since the more vulgar man is,
the more does he obscure and degrade an
apology by self,justifcation. is polite
to express an interest in or admiration of
that which is dear to others. 1t is some
times more polite to accept gift eff a
courtesy, especially from humble people
than to refuse it, and it is polite to show
the almost kindness and courtesy to those
whs have been reduced BY adversely
And it is something more than polite to
intsrposs and shield another person from
modification, wounded seif-respeet, and
loss Of dignity.
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