The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1906-10-31
Flavor Truth With Tact.
(By Landon oarter

or noblenees, but with 1t let rs also
blend tact, which is the outcome of
sympathy. graciousness and love.
Picture to MS heroes, uncom-
promising guardians and other
self-saCrifoing martyrs, who up
held stoio standards. but as illus
trations. give us more frequently
the gentler, more human instances
of daily patience and the loving,
tactful smiles, prompted by Mother
Love. the momory of which must
ever haunt the smallest chambers
of the brain, for. in such remem-
branoes one finds the deepeet evil
deuOes of affection, unsel6shness
and frequently concealed sorrow
It is not merely in untempered
Justice, but in the mercifuI con-
cessions of daily life that one finds
the highest and noblest influences
and examples.
Few characteristics have been
more generally undervalued and
misunderstood than "taot." which
is almost universally regarded us
the insinoere means IF furthering
ones selfish motives; where to
what characteristic can one more
Justly attribute self-forgetfulness,
sympathy, politensss and the many
generous expressions OF love. which
smooth of the rough corners and
sharp edges of unquestionable, but
cruel truthsP
Like all desirable qualities tact
has been abused and distorted, but
is not like fate possible to even
religion. whose narrow, misguided
representatives at times neglect the
first principles of Christ's teach
ings by crusIIy neglecting their
families and home ties for morbid
dissipation in their 30 called duty
and belief.
Tsctfulness is often a matter of
temperament, but can by cultiva-
ton be acquired, and in no region
of life is it undesirable, for it gains
friends. welcome, courtesies, pa
tronage, favors and general popu-
larity, fine assets for all!
Tactfulness is but the outward
expression of consideration and
tho synonym of politeness. to which
are asoribed the greatest oultiva-
ton and refinement. A kind,
helpful word frequently encourages
where material aid would humiliate
and mortify. and no matter how
stern the truth more can always be
accomplished by gentle methods,
forbearanoe amity than by bitter
harshness. which frequently re-
suits in total alienation.
A man may be scoundrel, but
emphasizing the fact is rarely re-
forming or profitable, whereas the
results of his pursuits, if pictured
to him in a sympathetic. friendly
manner, may more effsotualIy CON-
vince him of error, perhaps check
his downfall. and at the same time,
through tsciful consideration, spare
humiliation, thereby allowing a
certain self-respeot to maintain,
which may in future prompt and
encourage possible nobleness.
It is a sad mistake to uncom
promisingly judge some men
sooun1rels and other virtuous, and
that q fine distinction can be made
accordingly, for in truth every man
possesses both qualities and there
IL a great distinction between the
doer of a mean act and sooundreI,
for the scoundrel is one who steadi.
~. calcuIatingly and persistently
uses malice aforethought" to ac-
Complish his every ambition, and
even suoh rare types are not re.
formed with a club. while there
have been instances where they
have:been led away from threaten
ing destruction. Encouragement
and hope have been given them.
bright futures have collapsed I'm
fortunate pasts, in which results
taotfulness has been the guiding
factor. If there is an angel who
records the sufferings, humilia-
tions, disappointments, as we'll as
sorrows of men, as we'll as their
transgressions. he knows how nu-
merous and deep and unnecessary
are the wounds Inflicted by moon
siderstion, sarcasm and thought
less. More helpful than all the
instances of modifying the flesh
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