Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-08-28
American lncIvility.

American Rncivtitfy.
There is, most undoubtedly, something in the
political equality established by American insti-
tutions which interferes with the development
of civility among those who occupy what are de-
nominated the lower walks of life. 1t is hard
to see why this should be so. One would ma
turally suppose that political equality would
breed reciprocal respect among all classes and
individuals, no less than self-respect. Certain
ly there could hardly be a better basis of good
manners than self-respect and respect for 9th
ers yet with everything in our institutions to
develop these, together with respect for wo-
man which is entertained in no other country
with which we are acquainted it is not to
be denied that among large part OF the
nation politeness is little known and
less practice A man who steps into Wash
ington Market, with good coat on, look
ing for his dinner, will receive the utmost polite
ness of which the stall-keeper is capable. and
this will consist in calling him "boss"-a boorish
concession to civility for the sake of trade. The
courteous greeting, the 'Sir, and the "Madam p"
the civil answer, the thousand indescribabe de-
ferences and attentions, equally without aerviity
or arrogance, which reveal good manners, are
wanting.
II all comes, we suppose. Of the fear Of those
who find themselves engaged in humble employ
ments, that they slail virtually concede that
somebody somewhere is better than themselves.
1t is singular that they should voluntarily take
course that proves the fact that they are so nm
willing to admit to themselves and others. The
man who undertakes to prove that he is as good
as Il gentleman, by behaving like boor, volun-
teers decision against himself while he who
treats all men politely builds for himself a posi-
ton Which secures the repect of all whose con-
duct is not condemned by hls own. The Ameri.
can is kinder man than the Frenchman, and
better-natuIed than the Englishman but the
humble American is less polite than either. One
of the charms of Paris to the travelling American
grows out of the fact that it is one Of the first
places he visits, and that then for the first time
in his life, he comes into contact with class of
humble people who have thoroughly good man
ners. He is not ''boss or chose" He is him
self put upon his good behavior, by the thor
oughy courteous treatment he receives among
railway officials, shop keepers, walters at cafe
and hotel, cab. b.drivers, &c. The ''bien Mon-
sieur, and 'bien Madame, which responds to
ones requests in Paris, is certainly very sweet
and satisfactory after ''all right, boss ; you can
bet ont"
Where the cure for our National trouble is
coming from, it is hard to tell There was a
time, fifty years ago, when there was a degree
of reverence in American children, and at least
a show of good manners. Great respect to
those Of superior age and culture was then i'll
cnlcated and at least formal courtesy exacted.
Those of country breeding who are old
enough remember the strings Of school children
at the road side, who arrayed themselves for the
formal exhibitions of courtesy to the passenger.
Certainly all this training is done with, and such
sight as this we presume has not been wit
messed III America within twenty-five years.
Even the men and women fathers and moth
cas-, and teachers of fifty years ago had receded
from the courteous habits of previous genera
tiOns. In the old colonial and even later days,
great respect was paid to dgnties. The clergy
man was rcverenced because he was a clergy
man, and occupied the supreme position of
aslta - flaf In not
only because of his holy calling, but because he
was a scholar. All this has gone by. The cler
gyman il lie il good fellow Is vely much liked
and petted, but tile old reverence for him, and
universal courtesy toward him, are unknown.
Are the people any better for all this change
We think not, and We do not doubt that the
change itself has much to do with the habits of
incivility Of which we complain Men must have
some principle of reverence in them, as basis
of good manners, and this principle of reverence
in the modern American CHILD has very little de-
velopment lie comes forward early, and the
first thing he does in mutitudes of instances il
to lose his respect for his parents. Indeed coui-
tesy towards parents is in no way exacted. Poor
men and women try to give their children better
chances than they had themselves, and the con-
tempt for those whose sacrifices have raised
them to a higher plane of culture. They call the
teacher " Old .Snooks," or " Old Bundle,' OF
whatever his name may happen to be. 1t is not
unjust to declare that there is in America to-day
no attempt. distinctly and definitely made, TO ctil-
tivate a spirit Of reverence in children.
We acknowledge that we have no faith in any
attempt to reform the manners of the adult pop
uation Of the country. Our efforts to make s0-
Der men ont Of druukards and total abstinence
men ont of moderate drinkers, are failures
Our temperance armies are to be made entirely
out Of children. We can raise more Christians
by juvenile Christian culture, than by adult con-
version, a thousand to one. So it will he in tins
matter Of National politeness. The parents and
teachers of the country can give us polite peo-
pie. and this by the cultivation Of the principle
of reverence not only, but by instruction in nil
the forms Of polite address. With number of
things greatly needed to-day Is home culture
and school study, this matter Of training III good
manners is not the least. Indeed we are inclined
to think it is of paramount importance. It
thorough gentleman or lady, who has brains
enough to comprehend principles, while pruHci-
ent in practice, could hardly do better service
to the country than by preparing book for pa
rents and teachers, as at once guide to them
and to those vino are under them. Children
must be trained 70 politeness, or they will never
be polite They must drink poitenese, in With
their mothers milk it must be eXacted in tie
family and neighborhood relations, and boys and
| girls must grow up ladies in their department.
or onr nation can never be thoroughly polite
one-polte IN soul as well as in ceremony. and
kind in manner az well aA kind in heart. -Dr. L.
| q. Holland lScribnerS for Sept.
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