Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-10-21
Tho Power OF q cntle CAS-,

Every one il ready to admit the charm OF gen.
teness. After fierce encounter with the blus-
ter Of tho world its oasLing opposition, noisy
PASSIONS and turbulent energy, it is unspeakably
refreshing to tnrn to the man or woman Of tran
qull mind and unruiiied temper, whose soft
voice and gentle manner allays the Torment and
restores the equilibrium that had been destroyed
Tho soothing influence of geutleness is CRATE
fully acknowledged, the attrsctivenes fully sp-
preciated and the winning and lovely nature ap-
parent to ALL
Very few, however, of those who most willing
ly yield tribute to the Charms Of gentleness ever
think OF it IN power 1t il 80 soft, so mild, 80
utterly opposed to anything like violence or
compusion, that the ideas Of strength, persist
ence or force seem utterly at Variance with it,
Ii IL not uncommon to attribute weakness and
insipidity to one who il habitually gentle in
demeanor, and to accord irnness and energy
only to active persistence and vehemence Of
manner. This is great mistake. or course,
there are plenty Of strong characters with rough
and stormy bearing, and weak ones with soft
and mild department but there is no necessary
connection between the two. True gentleness
ia digniiied, and is not only consistent with
| strength of character, but usually results from
it. Surely, it takes force OF mind aud will to
bear tho trobles of lifo with calmnesa,
to subdue impatience and m,,r.
muring, to conquer tumultuous emotions, to
overcome evil passions. to be self-contained-in
word to cherish gentle spirit. some Of the
strongest natures, with the most eXcitable tenn
peraments having the fiercest temptations to
conquer and the sorest Affections to endure come,
by that very strength, to be the most patient and
gentle. II any one succeeds in curbing his in
ward disposition, he finds 1t comparatively an
easy matter to curb the outward expression, and
the gentleness that results from governed and
well poised character il altogether different from
the mildness OF weak aud irresolute nature
There il, however, no better proof OF q really
weak Character than tnmultuotls Or violent de-
meanol 1t betrays lack OF seif-control, self
respect and dignity, and a fear that others may
discover it. The greatest man will ever be the
gentlest, for he needs not to employ forcible and
arrogant measures to impress the world with his
merits.
The chief power OF gentleness, however, lies
in its influence over others. 1t is not only pas
siye effect but an active agency. There is
scarcely stronger ono in the whole human cat
egory. There is no idea more common, and yet
more mistaken, than that authority must be
maintained by sternness and severity. Continu-
ally dove find the parent, the teacher, the,employ
er, or the officer avoiding all gentleness in their
behavior to those under them, under the delu-
sion that thus only can they preserve their su-
premacy and ensure obedience. On the contra
ry, the submission thus gained is only that OF
the letter, nor the spirit 1t is unwilling, forced
and temporary; whereas the gentle and respect
full manner that honors the individual while
commanding him, will ensure glad acquies-
cence and grateful fidelity. II there are any
who arc especially entitled to gentle treatment,
it is those We are pleased to call infer
iors, either in age, educa tion station or
circumstances. They arc peculiarly susceptible
to unkindness and indifference they are in q
measure dependent upon us fol their happiness,
and they naturally look to us for an example to
follow in their treatment of others. No thought
full aud generous man or woman will suffer
rough careless aud unkind words to pas, their
lips in such Intercourse. Gentle and consider
ate conduct will induce far moro valuable SCR
vice than any harsh authority can compel. for
the one.can influence the mainsprings of nll ac.
tions by awakening love and gratitude, while the
other can only obtain sullen and reluctant per-
formance of compulsory tasks.
The CHIEF superiority of Eentlene-s, as pow
in the world, lies in the fact that it affects tho
heart and through it the actions, instead of aim
ing directly at the actions themselves Gentle
ness ilavors strongly Of sympathy and prepares
| the one thus treated to receive in good part
whatever is offered. Indeed the mannor is
often more important even than tho mat
| ter favor may make an enemy and a
conflict nav make friend, ac-
cording to the manner in which they are each
| conducted. Whoever would WELD IN influence
| over another will best succeed by a constantly
gentle end sympsthetic manner, for thus only
can he win over his cordial and friendly regard.
I Gentleness il also All important power in in
| creasing human happiness. Ii any doubt this,
| let him compare the household where it regns,
| with that to which it is II stranger. In the ono
will be patience, forbearance, gratitude and
| love in the other fretfulness, disputes, jcal-
ousies and heart-burnings Children should be
brought up in an atmosphere Of gentleness and
| affection. Their home life il their greatest ed
ucator and its influence will attend them
through all subsequent years. II they meet
with uniform and dignliiel gentleness of dc.
portment at home, they will insensiby carry il
abroad, and thus through the rising generation
may the power as we'll al the charm OF gentle
ness be most fully and widely developed.