The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-07-25
CANDOR.


Does popular opinion favor candor
or not? Are plain-speaking people, on
the whole, admired and trusted, or are
they disliked as uncomfortable ac-
quaintances OF course it would be
easy to define candOr in such way as
to make everybody own that it is in all
respects admirable; but we wish to
take outspokenness as it is commonly
met with, and doing that, by casting
an eye round all ones circle of frank
takers in various grades of society, it
seems to us that it is more natural to
begin with the consideration OF the
Objectionable side of candor
The candor that is carefully and SEN
sitively expressed never forces itself
upon public observation; the demeanor
however that usually passes by that
name is often roughly assertive, and
hurts too many sensibiIities to be really
popular. A good deal depends upon
what people are candid about. If it be
only their own abstract opinions that
they freely let loose, not much harm is
done; if it be their reading of their fell
low-men that they freely put into
words, they are almost certain to be
more feared than liked.
There are ways of showing honesty
that add or take from the inherent
value of that quality till they make all
the difference Htween what is most
admirable in cha eater and what is re-
pellent. We ma4 be led to feel unre-
served trust in a Inan or hearty dislike
for him by display of the same virtue
of outspokenness; it all depends how
the display is made. Truth, flung as a
missile to knock down the receiver, is
deprived of it's charms. Let us look at
candor from the unfavorable point of
view first.
When people either brag of their
own candor or admire other mems free
speech, they usually make the mistake
of thinking that candOr in the rough
is better than the finished product. In
their revulsion from oiliness and insin-
cerity they are willing to tolerate ILL
hammered honesty.
Demonstrative candor is almost in
variably disagreeable, and often has
underlying motives that are in no way
admirable If people who at any time
blurt out the truth in the plainest
terms, comforted by the thought that
cit may be blamed, but cannot be
shamed," would carefully analyse their
reasons for shooting their opinions in
a heap before their audience, they
would very possibly discover one rea-
son for frankness is that it is the easiest
method of conducting conversation
A deal of bother may be saved by
avoiding all consideration of other
peoples opinions and feelings, and
surrendering oneself to the luxury OF
expressing in the strongest and boldest
way the humor of the moment. 1t
gives, too, an appearance of individ
uality, perhaps even of originality
But is it not a rather selfish indul
gence? Anybody can surrender to
this primitive impulse. 1t is very easy
to mistake carelessness of the thoughts
of others or callousness as to Other
peoples feelings for the courage OF
ones own convictions.
Then there are people who are blunt
and reserved in speech because they
regard it as an advertisement of hon
: esty, or they think it does their neigh
bors good to be brought suddenly to {
stop by a sharp shock of rather dis
agreeable opinion. 1t is, they think,
salutary experience, like slapping t(
increase circulation, or douche o.
cold water to bring an after-glow
None Of these motives for candor-
motives that are often hidden from
those who are actuated by them-cal
, fairly be regarded with pride. Th'
man who glories in his candor ma.
often hit the mark by his bold bluf
,, talk, but he generally hits more thai
D the mark, and destroys good feeling.
But there are worse forms of cando