The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-11-18
T A c r


course with others is essential if one is to
enioy peace of mind or Astounding success
The use of tact does not imply insincerlty'
compromise with honor, playing of part
or any form of diplomacy which involves
deception.
MANY good cause has been hurt by an
untactful method of presentation. There
is time and place for everything. Mis-
guided zeal in exploitation has impaired or
ruined hopeful enterprises. 1t is the I'M
preston of the inexperienced that energy
and ability are the only keys to success.
Some have the illusion that mere enthsusi-
asm in a mission will insure its prosperity
The value of enthusiasm is not to be gam
said. The men of one idea have wrought
nightly. Every advance has had its origin
in the conception and restless activity OF
some individual who pursued his object as
if it were "the greatest thing in the worid:'
No one ever accomplished much without
absorbing enthusiasm, or earnestness'
"tempered by reason" Emerson repeats
the plainest truism that every important
movement is the triumph of that kind OF
enthusiasm. 'Nothing is so contagious
as enthusiasm. 1t is the real allegory of
the tales of Orpheus; it moves stones, it
charms brutes. Enthusiasm is the genius
of sincerity, and truth accomplishes no
victories without it,
But it must be tempered by reason. By
a singular perversity of language enthusi-
asm appears as one of the commanding
virtues, while the term enthusiast has
come to have slightly opprobrious mean
ing, is applied to one who manifests over
zeal. The enthusiast" in popular &C
ceptance is well-meaning but tactless
person, who is likely to injure his cause by
venturing too near the perilous edge of
boredom. Thrust be an impregnable cause
that can be subjected to such peril without
some injury.
Tact, or an adaptable manner, is capital
for the merchant, and it lies at the founda-
ton of all prosperity. It smooths the way
to official preferment. It is related OF
Wilkes, reputed to be one of the homeliest
men of his time, that he boastfully declared,
Sin winning the graces of lady there is
not more than three days. difference be-
tween me and the handsomest man in Eng
land" Tact Individually plays its part in
affairs of the heart.
"Tact is an intuitive act of manner,
which carries one through difficulty bet
ter than either talent or knowledge. Talent
is power; tact is skill. Talent is weight;
tact is momentum. Talent knows what to
do; tact knows how to do. Talent makes
man respectable; tact makes him re-
spected. Talent is wealth; tact is ready
money"
Samuel Smiles, who deals in his writings
with practical themes. places great stress
on the Importance of tact as the handmade
of success, and suggests that men receive
their best culture in matters of social detail
by 'smixing in the society of gentle and
adroit women" If we are to make the
most of our good qualities they must be
supplemented by gracious demeanor.
Politeness is the small coin of social inter-
course and like the fractional currency in
trade, it must be frequently used. Tact
is dicretion applied to the matter in hand,
the exercise of good judgment in great and
small things.
The diplomacy of nations is the struggle
nf footf,11 OF n ho mr. nc
ground, or at least to secure peaceful in.
tercourse. Tact is common sense in action
and common sense, despite its designation
is rather rare faculty. Addison aptly
observes, GA man with great talents, bu
void of discretion is like Polyphemus il
the fable, strong and blind. endured with ar
irresistible force, which for want of sigh
is of no use to him." Dean Swift also
aptly says that persons of good qualitie:
serviceable to others but useless to them.
selves are like the sundial in front of The
house that informs the neighbors and pas.
sengers, but not the owner within.
The intuition that fits the right conduc
to the moment is tact. The gentleman il
always tactful. Emerson tells US that tn,
gentleman sgood company for pirates ane
academicians, so that tits useless to fortify
ourselves against him. she has the private
entrance to all minds. l could as easil,
exclude myself as him. Tact is anothe
expression for good manners. 1t rules il
the council of State as in the drawing room