New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-10
GOLDEN RULE THE BASIS.

GOLDEN RULE THE kASlS
Unless at the beginning we agree that the Golden
Rule is the basis Of all real elegance OF nah'',,s
our interchange Of opinions will be fruitiess. Be
lieyinR this a person whose life is in harmony
with that highest guide for conduct VIII never
fail in courtesy.
Your first query is the most difficult because OF
the relative meaning OF the word bad The
modern American child is not always a saint. ana
without doubt often behaves in way TO deserve
that epithet but say he is universally UNI
qualihedly and irredeemaby bad IS unjust
To your second query, my reply Is most en-
phatlc-NO. Those who study children find they
are better and behave better than the children OF
fifty or sixty years ago Then they were repressed
more and decorous behavior toward elders ana SUI
periors was compulsory, rather than an expresSloh
Of genuine respect. Fear of the rod and punish
rnent for every small offence secured an outward
Difference but they were often the incubstors OF
deceit and temptations 70 hatred OF srperiors. VINO
In these later years along with the fuller preach
nag Ir0 10 barsns o and ch the idea that
love is the natural element of the child It's sood
IN place OF the old humility. which seldom had
an abode in the heart. there IL now on me part
iato 5ns to e' Elders better '''''- '''''''
Even If We grant there is somewhat less Of that
external polish which was acquired under com
pulsory and fixed rules applied TO every child, IT.
respective Of his individual character yet there is
certainly more OF the service Of affection If we
ge; At the hearts OF the little folks we fnd there
Tor The happiness Of others, and which should be
forced civiity shown to us merely because we are
their elders.
Children have an innate fondness for making
themselves useful. They delighted by recog-
This love of bestowing kindness is not met
with rebukinH severity and froWns much
formerly. and think II often blossoms into the
most attractive form OF good manners.
To-day a barefoot boy of six showed
me great courtesy. Hearing ask at farm
mouse door for apples Wherewith TO refresh
mysen. he ran with eager feet 20 bring them 1
could not tarry long. and was beginning to walk
watt did wait, and he came with face full
of gladness: giving me all the apples his small
hands could hold. Many persons would call the
Doy ruoe. and think he should have shown respect
oy saying. please 20 wait madam" Had there
been no haste. no impa ssohed feeling 10 make him
Iorget all except the central thought which was TO
90 faVor. probably ne would have said something
or that kind. To me- wait seemed the earnest
appeal of the very best in the boy and was the fu
ninent OF the Golden Rule. lie feared | would go
away before he could SO me this service.
Should manners be taught in school2'' Certain
w. since manners should be taught everywhere
Emerson saws. I'VE teach bv what we arc NOT
voluntarily. but involun tsrily No teacher shorld
be accepted who has not the true spirit OF courtesy
stony ground. II Will bear fruit. None can deny
that there as stony ground-incorTigihla children
young desperadoes-but in this discussion / under
stand, dealing with ordinary nornoaJ cbit.
From personal experience ] cannot make am, com
paTson Win foreign boys and Rirls but fr1Tn nor
sons who nave lived for time in fother countries
i learn that parents still largely t1nder
the soul must be spun the warp and woof FOR
the outer garment or true courtesy. In this one
thing An1ericans are progressing faster aud our
children behaye better because they have mora
freedom 10 SNOW the true homage their honest
hearts ever hold for their superinrs N
East Orange. y }. MARY CURTIS