Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-08-14
PERSISTENCE AND 0BsTIEACY.
The Difference Between the Two Clearly
Set Forth

The Difference Between the Two Clearly
Set Forth
From the Baltimore Sun
Real obstinacy-that is to say, an unreal
soning persistence in wrong-doing or in
any course that is not dictated by true
considerations quality to be con-
demned and avoided, but much praise
worthy persistence of effort, made with
due thought, is unjustly characterized as
obstinacy. The quality of persistence is
of the highest value. Without it very
little of good or evil is accomplished; the
want of it reduces men otherwise endowed
with good parts to the level of their men,
tai interiors. 1t is only when this persist
ence, zeal or energy is unguided by reason
that it is properly condemned as obsti-
macy. Obstinate men had a great attrac-
ton for Dickens, and in his novels he has
drawn many and various pictures of them.
In the Tale of Two Cities" he sets up
contrast between the pushing, energetic,
obstinate Mr.. Stryver, and the brilliant
Sydney Carton, who played jackal to a
much inferior lion mainly because he
lacked persistence, worthy ambition,
energy. Mr.. Stryyer was not an intelligent,
cultivated man, hence much of his persist
ence, though it won him place and fortune,
took the form of obstinacy and disregard of
the rights and feelings of other people.
He shouldered his way to success by push
ing and crowding other people out of his
way He had no consideration for others,
and advanced himself by brute strength of
mind as of body. Carton, on the other
hand, is type of the weak man of good
intentions, kinder to others than to him.
self, strongly gifted in mind, kindly
hearted, and SO far admirable, but without
the energy to make his powers felt except
as the tool of another.
The man of force entitled to respect aud
admiration must have the good qualities
of both characters and be free from their
faults. He must be intelligent, consider
ate of others, and kindly disposed, but he
must also have sufficient energy of DISPOSE
ton to make place for himself and reap
the rewards of his own zeal and industry
Recognition of the value of these quail
ties, and more especially of the essential
quality, persistent energy, furnishes a
guide to what should be encouraged and
what repressed in the young. No intel
lectual brightness, no kindliness of DISPOSE
tion can make up for a lack of motor
force. The boy who is restless, ambitious,
pushing, and who is very likely to be con-
sidered "irrepressibie," has at least one
most excellent quality that if guided by
reason and good disposition will make
man of him. He will naturally be trouble
some and great source of worriment to
those who have charge of him, but he
gives much greater promise of rewarding
their anxious care than less energetic
youths who are more agreeable because
more tractable. Instead, therefore, of be-
ing discouraged by the persistence, energy
-obstinacy, even-of the youth of this
disposition, his parents or teacher should
welcome such evidence of motor power,
and strive not to repress it, but to guide it
into proper fields for its exercise.
A much less promising pupil is one who
lacks energy, for, though the teacher or
the parent may develop the intellect, in
still the principle or morality and gener-
ally educate his pupil or child in all things
referable to the mind or heart, he can do
very little toward the creation of that en-
ergetic desire to go ahead and keep there
that may be termed the secret of success.
By long and patient effort he may succeed
after he has found a subject that interests
the child, in getting the latter to follow
it up with something approaching enthus-
iasm, but he must first find the subject and
then avoid distractions. There is nothing,
however, to take the place of natural en-
thusiam, push, energy, zeal-all Of which
may appear at times to develop obstinacy
though they are qualities so valuable in
themselves that they are worth cherish
ing, even though.alloyed with obstinacy.
No man accomplishes great things without
being more or less obstinate. The great
general, the famous explorer reaches at
times point where reason affords him no
guide. If in such an emergency he should
hesitate or fall back the remainder of his
life would have to be devoted to explain
ing why he had failed. But if possessed of
the energy, persistence, self-confdence re-
quired TO make up an obstinate man, he
pushes on, achieves success and becomes
famous The obstinacy of stupidity and
ignorance is not to be commended, but the
that grows out of an excess of
zeal and self-confdence is to be tolerated,
at least, because it represents qualities that
are essential to successful endeavor.
Catching Granny.
Tommy was ALWAYS bothering his grand