The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-05-22
ADVERSE CRITICISM.
(Contributed.)


true, criticism indicates a certain sue
cess in the world. BY criticism a
person may know that he is on a
progressive road to promotion. But
this is not wholly true. We also
find that the person who fulfills all
the requirements needed to escape
criticism Is criticised for being a nom
entity.
There are two types of adverse
criticism--kind and unkind or justi-
fed and unjustifiable. The first or
justifiable criticism is of great bene-
fit to the world. In the general
world, productions of art, literature,
science and music are benefited and
improved by criticisms and sugges-
lions from men of culture and train
ing. Classics are set aside by this
means and thus the common herd
of persons are taught the difference
between the good and the bad. With
out criticism of their works the artist
and author tend to become set and
self-satisfed in their productions and
to degenerate by so becoming. Well
meaning friends kept George Eliot
ignorant of all adverse criticisms Of
her novels, and the result was that
her later novels are far inferior to
her earlier works.
In narrower circles or coming
down to the common walks of life we
find the same thing true. A certain
amount Of kind criticism tends to
show us just where and how we
stand in the world about us. Being
of an extremely gregarious nature
man is in constant association with
other men about him and his every
action bears upon the lives of others.
Therefore a certain amount of justi-
fable criticism is of benefit to him
because, by showing him the effect
of his actions upon society, 1t tends
to fit him into even relations with So
ciety.
But, Notwithstanding the benefi-
,ial effect of justifiable criticism, it
IS beneficial only when administered
in small amounts We are so con-
that the power of sugges-
ions as contained in judicious praise
s more effective than adverse criti-
,ism. Just enough criticism to point
,ut the wrong and stimulate to right
action is all that should ever be
given.
1t is the unkind criticism that is
to be noticed as we meet
With 1t more often than with the |
'ther type. Very seldom does day
'ass but we hear unkind criticisms
DICED by ourselves or some of our
Unkind criticism is a
abit and one of the most pernicious
yer contracted. 1t springs primari-
y from idle, gossiping persons and
J far more contagious than the most
irulent case of smallpox or scarlet
ever. AS surely as we associate with
person who criticises others I'M
indy, so surely will we contract the
anne habit
This habit, or disease of the mind,
ccurs throughout the land but is es-
ecially strong in certain localities,
'hrerever there sfound a class of
lie or even tolerably leisurely per-
ms there is found rank gossip and
1t would seem that this
because everyone else and, as the
ipression goes, everybody knows
S neighbor's business better than
e neighbor does himself"
Where unkind gossip or criticism
prevalent everyone INDUCES, and
}. one Is exempt. The housewife,
e child, the lady of leisure and the
siness man alike have some undue =
ssip to relate about an acquaint-
ce. The neighborly call, the school
aytime, the fashionable tea, and
e merchants meeting are scenes of
e dissection of some unfortunate.
Everyone Is attacked, no matter
lat his station in life be. The
'althy man is accused of being
eat, liar and CRATER in varying =
gree. The woman or man of Gull =
re and education are spoken of as
thists and moral lepers because =.
~ may chance to read the philos- =
hers or may not attend church v
cry Suday. The housewife is "'
tternly and extravagant because :.
; puts out" her washing or al a
vs. the children to play in the par -
. The young girl is forward be- ~
Use she can exhibit platonic -
for one or two young "
n, The young man Is spend ~
lift when he invests in new suit 10
clothes before the knees of his last -
users are entirely out of shape. y.