The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-09-11
Good Manners a Duty.

tBy Henry W ard BeCChrrI
Men often speak Of good manners H. uE.
accomplishment / speak of them as a
duty. What then, are good manners
such manners As the usaees of society have
recognized as being agreeable 30 men
Such manners as take away rudeness. and
remit 10 the brute creation all coarseucss
There are great many who feel that good
manners are etfeminate. They have feeling
that rude biuntness is a great deal more
manly than good manners 1t is a great
deal more b,dstiy But when men are
crowded III communities the art OF living
together is no small art How 70 diminish
friction how to promote ease ofintercour.e.
how to make every part OF amau lite con
tribute 10 the welfare and satisfaction of
those around him how to keep dowu
offensive pride how to Danish the rasping.
Of selfshnes, tromthe intercourse OF men :,
how 10 move among men inspired byyarious
and conhictive motives. and yet not have
collisions this is the function OF good
manners.
II Is not efieminate TO be refined. And
in this land no man should plead inability.
There may be peasantry in other cOun.
tries, there may be a class in foreign lands
who have no opportunities there may be-
"
portunities for knowing what constitutes
good manners are 500 lew, and whose ignur-
aucc is So gross that they are excusabc.
but this is not the case with any within the
sound Of my voice
That a man i. a mechanic is nD reason
why ne should not be a perfect gentleman.
! affirm TOR every American citizen the
right to be not simply man but gJod.
maHHercd man. ! have seen men at the
anvil who were as perfect gentlemen a.
men Of books or men Of society kaor
aO reason nhyd man tshO t1Hs hidcs A0uld
net BE- Il gentleman know no reason why
a man who digs in the soil man who
works in metals and woods, man who
builds, should not be- perfect gentleman
There is nothing in mel hanical occupation,
which is Incompatible with the highest
courtesy.
Not only is the violation Of good man
ncrs inexcusablc on ordinary grounds, but
it is sinful When, therefore, parents and
guardians and teachers would inspire the
Young with desire for the manners OF
good society. It is not to be thought that
they are accomplishments which may be-
accepted VI rejected. Every man is bound
to observe the laws of politeness. Ii is
the expression Of good will aud kindness.
Ii promotes both beauty IN the man who
possesses It, and happiness in those who
are about him. IL Is a religious duty, and
should be part OF religious training
There is great deal OF contempt OK
pressed for what is called stigHette IN socic
~. Now and then there are elements oi
etiquette which perhaps might well be rid
iculed but in the main there is just rea
son for all those customs which come undei
the head Of etiquette There is reason
which has regard TO the facility OF inter
course There is a reason in the avoid
ance Of offence There is a reason in com
fort and happiness. And no man can at
ford % violate these unwritten customs o
etiquette who wishes ~ act as a Christian
gentleman.
] may speak, also, Of tendency which
is bred BY our institutions-th want o
generation. There are various ways il
which this want of yeheration shows itself
We often hear that there is not the sam,
respect shown for the aged that there use,
to be- We know that there is very it'll,
respect shown for magistrates aud men il
authority. This is partly due, think. 6
the institutions under which we live. On
Of the unfortunate effects derived from, Tn
early stages of Democratic training is tn
sense Of personal sovereignty the ieelinI
that we stand on as high ground as any
body else. Under monarehicaI institution
men are taught 30 revere the great AM
glorious in government. The feeling of rev
erence does not prevail IN any great exten
among US ! discern great lack in thi
respect Children, nowadays, are brough
up 10 be pert, TO be saucy, to be almos
without restraint. They are brought nj
to have very little regard either for thei
parents or for their superiors. And, a
there are q great many Christia
nqRseholds where children are rightly bre