New-York tribune., 1882-04-23
REACHING CONCLUSIONS.
From The C0rnhM

From The CornhW
Conclusions, indeed, not often reached by talk
any more than by private thinking, that is not the
prOi the profit Is in the exercise. and above all In
thc experience; for when we reason AZ large on any
subject. we review our state ard history IN NE
Here we may apply tho fable of the father and his
sons: there is. after all, no hidden treasdre. no
sounding discovery Is made; but the soil + labored
and oXygeuated. and yields more freely Of It's
natural PRODUCTS From time to time, however,
and especially, think IN talking art talk becomes
effective cOnquering like war, widening the bonn
diaries of knowledge like an exploration. point
arises; the question taxes a proOlematlcal,
battling. ye: a lively air; the takers begin 10 feel
lively presentiments OF some conclusion near at
hand; toward this they strive with emu
lous ardOc, each by his own path. and struggling
for first utterance; and then one leaps upon the
summit of that matter with a shout, aud almost at
the same IrOment the other Is beside him. and be-
hold they are agreed Like enough, the progress II
illusOTy, a mere cats cradle having been wound
and unwound out OF words But the sense OF Joint
discovery Is none the less glddy ana insprtIng.
And in the life OF the talker such trumphs, though
imaginary. neither few nor far apart they are
attained with speed and pleasure, IN the hour of
mirth and by the nature of the process, they are
always wOrthlly shared
This emulous, right, progressive talking the pick
of common life, is most usually enjoyed IN duet.
Three in spite of the proyerb, is often excellent
company but the talk must run more gently.
When we reach those breathless moments when
there comes a difference 10 be resolved the third
party is either Dadgered by coalition. or the two
Others address him as an audience and strive Tor
victory and in either case, the necessary temper
and sincerity are lOst. WIN any 2TtiLtT uuIUDcI
than three, fighting talk becomes impossible; and
you have either lndOlent. aughter-0Ying diyaga-
tion, or the whole company breaks up into a
preacher and audience. it is odd, but true that
have never known good brisk debate between
persons of opposite sex. Between these IL has al
ways turned into that very different matter. dis
pufe Instead of pushing forward and continually
changing ground in quest OF some agreement. tho
parties have instantly fortified their point,
and held that. for wager, against all odds and
arguments To me, as SJlan. the cause seems 10
reside in the superior obstinacy OF woman; but
there is little question that the fault is shared; for
the prosperity of talk lies not in one or other but
in both There is a certain attitude "ombative at
once and deerental, eager TO light set most averse
to quarrel which marks out ~ once the talkablc
man Ii is not eloquence, not fairness. not obsti-
macy but certain proportion of all CT these, that
Io.e 10 encounter in my arncable adyersarIes They
must not be pontis holding doctrine. but hunts
men questing after elements OF truth. Neither must
thev be bows 10 bc instructed but fellow teachers
with whom may wranglc and agree on equal terms.