Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-04-04
A Fools Argument.
Sound Advice Which Will Do Every
body Good.
No Fool Should Fail to Read and
Ponder.
By Harkley Marker.
HHe's q foolr"


Hes fool!"
"Why so? Only because he does not
agree with your opinions. You cannot
convince him with your arguments.
Hence you are angry and call him fool.
But that proves nothing that you
are the fool"
Very few men, and scarcely any wom-
en-, can be defeated in an argument
without retorting "you're fool" 1t may
not be spoken; but it is hearts whis per.
is. in fact, fools argument. To hate
a fellow who attacks you with weapons is
natural; but to end up by hating the man
himself who attacks you with honest
weapons of reason, logic, and honorably
phrased argument, is silly indeed.
There is nothing that shows or tests the
true gentleman more fully than how he
carries himself toward his antagonist in
argument. 1t is the highest self control
not to ''feel mad.'' 1t is the Hottest test
of your own sweetness OF disposition; if
you can cherish kindly feelings toward
the man who honestly disagrees with you,
and who takes no unfair advantage, IL
shape of misstatements, you are truly
noble fellow.
Would a reader of a book pound the
cover because he did not like it? That's
silly schoolboy trick with the arithme-
tic that floors him. The speaker of an
opinion contrary to yours should be, in
his personality book. Do not pound
him. Do not travel outside the argu-
p1ent to drag in some other incident in
the mans life.
If you are arguing about the price of
railway stock, confne yourself to that.
What has this mans hen-coop to do with
| the question, or his weakness for fast
horse, or whom his daughter married!
He may be very foolish man in other
things, but not necessarily because ne
disagrees with you on the price of this
| stock. The moment you refer to other
things, you anger the man; you expose
yourself to the suspicion that you have
reached the end of your argument. He
retorts to your hen coop, or your neck tie
or some favorite weakness of yours. You
simply part enemies.
When we disagree upon a subject if we
would only stick closely TO the merits of
the one question-if we could only omit
all personal references, two-thirds of the
lawyers would starve, for there would be
a great shrinkage in litigation; divorces
would lessen three-fourths; assaults and
murders would almost disappear. Our
trouble is that we are not we'll disci plined
apotherW Heaven help us! What has
that to do with the question? Let the
arguments do the lighting; it don't hurt
them to meet and grapple and knock the
cap off each other. Ideas can come in
collision, and no hearts are broken; but
when the two mortals run against each
other, death wounds are often given.
The reader protests that this is not so
| easy. Exactly; and for that reason, it Is
always scholarly and the mark of scholar
ly habits of mind to keep ones self and
ones opponent out of the contests. That
is what educators call abstraction. You
abstract your own personality; you deal
with abstract ideas you are simply
cold, clear, strong brain; your blood is
ice-water; you are q thinker, and not
swapping, snarling animal. Animals can
not do this. Two dogs fight each other,
| their only idea on contest Is to In ure,
to chew off an ear or lame a leg. But
philosopher does not wish to injure his
antagonist; his hope is to enlighten him
and do him good. When you get into an
argument, is that your sole pprposef
You would feel insulted if | supposed any
thing else. Very well; but 1 boldly
charge you with malice if you begin to
desire TO attack the man rather than his
argument. I say that the very instant
that yoa "begin to hate or dislike the fel-
low" or to swish you could punch him."
or to get ruffied under your jacket, that
very moment you have ceased to be man
ly; that is the dOg-and cat feeling. That
is the rising vulgarity of bar room fisti-
cuffs. That is what leads to assaults and
murder. Words then become things as
real as blows. The heart is bad. The
man who gives way is de5ased ten thou
sand times below a fool
To see intellectual gladiators exchang-
ing thrusts with shining steel, poised on
good nature, each smiling yet resolute to
the utmost, each keen eyed to fine loose
place in the others battle harness, each
| inspired with the kindest intent and love
for the truth, each the soul of homer and
play-there ia no more beautiful sight.
1t is the finest show of intellect on earth.
Senators have looked on a charmed sill
ence or applsuded with proudest acclaim
in sympathy with each standard bearer
in turn. Fair women have leaned out of
balconies to wave the outset their ap-
prevail, and honor the victors. How diff
ferent all this from those base contentious
when men forget their dignity, descend
to personalities, lose their temper, and
lay the foundations for eternal hatreds.
Never go into argument without the re-
solve to notice the personality of your
opponent, unless he ceases to act the
gentleman. Then expose him, but do not
get down to his level.
Always remember, in denounc;ng a
scoundrel, that if you go too far you ex-
cite sym pathy for him. II is far better
to lei your audience feel their own jndig-
nation against the fellow. An audience
will be far more severe with their
thoughts toward him than they will allow
you to be with your words. You can af-
ford to be tranquil when you have once
held up the poltroon before them. They
will think whips, and lay them on his
back for you.
To get angry in debate is to throw
away your shield. Especially if your foe
| keep his temper. If you are abused, let
it kindle your faculties and wake you up
| to use all your resources: now your brain
is at its best, with red blood feeding it;
but anger is poison to your brain, and
| you are drunk with it. Never pronounce
sentence in debate; that Is the judges
business. Never prophesy; that is no
mortal's business. Resolve to close with
a sentiment animatIng your own breast
that would go more than half way to
shake hands with true gentleman who
| has been opposing you. Let 10 auditor
| detect in you personal hatred as you re-
| sumo your seat. You are then victor.
New York Weekly.
An Old Egyptian City.
The oldest of all the obelisks ia the