The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-09-02
Rome THOUGHTS.

InO IFG1ttu1lleg " So2sa'ss-'S
FutilIty OF Argument-The Frankly
Obstinate and the automatically
Obstinate.
New York Post: More than half of
us. we self-decelvlng people, are dis
posed to think well of ourselves and
fancy that we are displaying a fine
firmness OF character when we hold on
to our own opinion against long odds.
The nature Of this determination not to
be convinced ls very complex and inter-
estIns, and Is closely linked with self
esteem. and. though not vislbly related.
Is closely allied to vanity. II can't
help II, l shah always think So" seems
to convey q dnal heroic adherence.
which falls pleasantly on the speaker 9
own ear. and pTecludes any turtner
attempt at proof from the opposite SIDE
II this singular resistance TO test-
mony and unyielding blindness 70 fnets
was nnaiyEed, It's component parts
would be matter OF delightful stuuy 10
nInd-readers. Even to ourselves some
times II comes with q curious surprise,
this question why we became 90 vehe-
ment about a thing of no true Interest
or Importance, or why we persisted In
course, which before we were oppos-
ed. was a matter OF Indifference. WHAT
ever is the cause, our so-called hrm-
ness IS n very uncomfortable quality
md does not tend to the peace OF
households.
The development Of what we venture
IN childhood 10 call very plainly, obsu-
macy, is q matter OF 80 much Import
ance 10 the child that It deserves a
large place In the consideration OF those
whose thoughts dwell earnestly on
home and It's responsibilities. The par
ent, the teacher. the nurse are hhlt the
time the cause OF this intiexiole resist
ance to argument or counsel, and ACT as
IncubatoIs to an otherwise dormant
iifS To rebel TO think the other way,
H. tnke the opposite side, is native to
some children. and they most quickly
take on the opposing attitude to au-
thority, which grows into rebellion; nut
there nre other natures in which the
tone OF command Is given in. the man
nor used to convey unwelcome re-
straIht literally creates the desire 10
resist and to remain uuylelding.
The little child who. while scarcely
nbis 10 walk. by screams and Kicks
holds out against commands ana en-
t-cnties can readily be hardened into o
stardInE torment, or, BY being wheed-
led into yielding. can be reduced 70 .
daily source Of humiliation 10 us PaF-
Ont and made regardless OF principle 70
a degree which II would nppall US 10
discover. Within a short time l nave
coon n mother relieve an exhausted
nurse In the endeavor to make a cnI n.
Iess than three years old, get out OF
g,,tter in which she was determined to
at. and ut fast give tip the struggle and
leave the midget seated In the dirty
hammers. and hide behind tree In the
vain hone that, being terrified nj her
loneliness. she would come away 10
aeeI, nrotectlou. Doubtless the young
tvrnnt had already learned that she
yns not really abandoned, and up TO
Tho time when the spectacle had be-
come wearIsome she sat In sullen
triumph on the field OF battle. That ~
any cost Of Inconvenience she should
have been borne Into the house anu
kent there until she understood thar
| liberty was to be purchased only oy
obedience. seemed too plain ana easy
I solution 10 be neglected for moment
but OF the wee grille Il Is Graveiy an
nounced that "heF mother can 90 hoth'
Ing with her. ,.,,., a.,
meet than the clever diplomatic avoid
enrc II nbcdisnce by transforming the
matter In debate into n new form. ana
accommodating a purpose forbidden by
c,IiInr, II something else. Here we nave
moi only will TO educate, but false
hood TO upruot. and we cannot ne 100
r1rcsrii mat a habit Of easy good ma
! ,nrc \ nd lack Of earnest observation DO
moi make us instrumental in h%lnE me
! radically In our ch'ldren'B minds hapits
OF deceltfui thought
To argue helps neither the old nor
yourg obstinate mind. IN man con-
WINGED against his will Is NJ the same
| opinion stlll" Is an undoubted tact' &c
| Fplta It's nonFensicnl sclf-contrndlcllon'
| Tender and loving families ere maue
centres of the most Irritating ana paw,
ruI conflicts by these wofdy battles pnn
when YOU say n person Is very nrRu-
| mentatIvc. nlwayG anxious 10 take the
| negative side. you have nearly said mat
I he Is a dlEn greenhle acquaintance, 20
"apree 10 disagree" II fer moro likely
10 end IN final unity. -,
mt Ia argue with n child IL tntal
/ mistake From the beginning the chlln'H
| heart should learn TO trust ana revere
/ once the oplnion OF those who have TO
\ educate him, and he should never be
allowed 10 question the strength OF q
command or the value OF restraining
rul7
THAT 70 n thinking child II is better
70 fors-'sH and preclude argument by
! living, unaaked. n Tcnfon for certain
/ orders. Ii m clearly wise that u seems
rusrllo 70 tnik about H. yot many par,
r7'r leave ttis means OF taklnE control
/ ty p-r-emptlon entirely neglected. 10
ROT touch that box" has nm entirely ait-
/ fCrcnt meaning when tie father ndus'