Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1886-11-24
Pollteness and Its Yaluc.

In this bustling and practical age we
are too apt 10 be careless as to the
graces Of manner and conversation. We
look back occasionally on the DAYS of
Pericles, when the Athenians talked in
high-sounding phrases and saluted each
other with the Difference which subjects
now only give to kings, or on the days
OF the ancient regime, when the cour-
tiers OF Louis were conspicuous for
conventional politeness and grace that
scarcely served to conceal the hatred,
the venom, the meanness, and vulgar
ity that lay beneath. And, therefore,
associating politeness either with O
state Of society where there is but little
freedom Of thought, speech, or action,
and where the social fabric is built up
Of classes who are divided BIZ laws OF
caste, or else with sleepy Oriental
countries where men lead the life OF
lotos-eaters and rust away in idleness,
the stndy Of manners engaged but little
OF our thoughts. We tacitly admit, of
course, that the exercise Of such an at
tribute is oil right; but our great weak
ness is to look to results instead of to
details, and we are too apt to forget
that those results are brought about by
the very means which we make light
Of Unjust be admitted, however, that
we admire politeness in Others As q
people, beneath the rough exterior
which we SO often assume we have q
sympathetic and kindly nature; we
are alive to tale OF distress and are
ready to respond to cry of suffering;
m vuo or A,N apnv 80
conrtesies which add such a charm to
either social or business intercourse.
Politeness may be styled one OF the
delicate humanities; it sweetens exist
ence; and, besides being high social
virtue, it is--and this is something
worthy of attention in such practical
age-really useful in many ways and
proves itself to be safe and remunera-
tive business investment.
It Is hardly possible to estimate the
amount OF unconscious egotism to be
found In every man and woman. II
crops up In the most unexpected quar-
tiers, and exercises largo influence on
the common affairs of life. Civiiity.
therefore, effects MS more than native
modesty would probably care to ac-
knowledge. We look for it in others,
no matter what may he the particular
relation which they sustain to us and
we to them, and we feel disappointed
and are rrfied by its absence. The
larger the city and the more crowded
the community the less do we find COM
mercial politeness; it seems to dwinale
away in an inverse ratio to the square
of business.
Men argue sometimes that they have
no time to be polite, forgetting that it
takes the same amount of time to be
uncivil and disagreeable. There are
more things needed to insure success in
business than money, experience, and
integrity. The amenities which some
despise 80 much are also potent factors
and even if you can point ont man
who is rude and curlish, and yet sue
cessful in life, that is no argument
against the truth of the theory--it
simply shows that he has succeeded in
spite of the want of politeness, Ii,
therefore, civility be such q large and
potential ingredient Of success, it is
strange that it should be used so SPAR
ingly. It costs nothing; it requires no
room for storage, and can, in fact, be
carried in vest pocket or put in q
glove-box, and the more of il that il
given the more remains. When pso.
pie can be made to understand that the
use Of it may bring dollars and cents,
then they may also begin to consider it |
in its moral aspect and make life
brighter by showing il in its finer ways
and more subtitle forms. --Philadelphia |
Record.