River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-11-18
Talks With the Young People.
No. 9.
Courtesy.
Courtesy.


claims of courtesy. BY courtesy /
mean pleasing manner, politeness.
There are many persons who seem
to think If they have a Good heart,
and honest intentions, 1t makes no diff
ference what their outward manners
are. They place very slight value on
the delicate attentions, the little acts
of kindness, the graces of manner,
which mark the true gentleman or
lady. And yet these very things
weigh great deal with the world.
They often materially affect our sue.
cess in life. Politeness is often the
real secret of many a mans advance
ment. A kind look, pleasant word,
gentle manner, will often attract
even an enemy, winning his favor and
good will. A rude, mcouth, boorish
manner will always repel. 1t is not
enough that one has good intentions;
he needs ciyility. There may be some
people who will look through rough
crust, and discern the hidden excel
lences within; but the majority are
not so tolerant, and judge person by
his appearance and denleanor more
than by his substantial character.
'sGive boy pleasing address and
accomplishments, says Emerson, 'and
you give him the mastery of palaces
and fortunes wherever he goes"
Manyaunprincipled scoundrels gain a
hold upon men by their polished man.
ners. Politeness often makes up for
the lack of genuine ability and morali-
ty. The success which Aaron Burr
achieved arose not more from his POI
litical skill, than from his pleasing
address. Parton in his life of Burr,
says that on one occasion when he was
under arrest, and lodged at the house
of the sheriff, during an evenings con-
versation, he so charmed his host by
his exquisite tact and refinement, that
the sheriff gave him his liberty.
What successful politician does not
owe at least part of his success to this
trait. Henry Clay was a polished
gentleman; Lord Chatham added to
his wonderful eloquence q pleasing
manner; VIM. Wilberforce drew men
to him by his winning ways; Abraham
Lincoln was one of the truest gentle
men of his age, with a kind, gentle
manner, he always avoided wounding
the feelings of another. Almost every
one can recall, within his knowledge,
cases where pleasing manners have
made the fortunes of men in almost
every walk in life. 1t is said that
Lord Raleigh threw his laced coat in
to the mud for Queen Elizabeth to
walk on, and thus won her favor; and
so many man by his civility, has won
the favor of men and advanced his
own interests.
| know minister who commenced
life with but little scholarship or abil-
ity, but he had pleasing address, and
has advanced from one position in the
church to another, until he holds to-
day, a commanding charge; is pastor
of the finest church in the denomina-
ton to which he belongs. Men con-
cede his intellectual weakness, but
then he is gentleman, and can grace
any society. His "iine manners" have
really won him success. And it Is so
in every calling in life. The lawyer,
the merchant, the physician, are all
helped in their profession by courtesy.
One of the characters in "Dred"
says 1.-THE world turns round on
success" We say the world turns
round on politeness. 1t is the oil that
lubricates the machinery Of life,
it run smoothly.
If, therefore, you want an element
of power in your character, cultivate
a pleasant address, winning manner.
Respect the rights of others; never
wound another's feelings il you can
avoid it; let the golden rule" be your
motto, and it will prove an unexception.
able guide to true politeness.