The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1910-02-03
WHEN NOT TO SEE.

From an eminent modern authority on !
mental processes we learn that it is always
easier to say yes than to say no. One IS
acquiescence, the other is contest. There
is fatal ease in saying yes to ones own
impulses, and among the insistent impulses
is that of noticing the defects OF others.
To notice touches spark to the companion
impulse of criticising. Good breeding has
one of its most severe struggles in the con-
quest of these common impulses; bad
breeding has one of its most tempting
fields of indulgence when it encounters the
faults of sensitive persons and can lnfllct
misery with the "poison of serpent's
sting or the poison from million buzzing,
tiny mosquitoes" How many men are
there who possess the art OF scattering
encouragement with tactful hints at the
better gifts of their acquaintances? How
many are there who have learned the still
more blessed accomplishment of seeming
not to see mistake or defect when there
is no useful purpose to be served by seeing?
Checking errors with reproof is never the
best method of making improvement,
though better than none. Correction with
kindness and with command of the sub
ject sympathetically impaired is the higher
way. 1t is the mark of adequacy in the
instructor when the higher method is used.
The regret is that it is seldom seen, even
in the simpler grades of education and OF
social life. The relatively barren aridity
of acrid criticism thoughtlessly applied is
too much the custom.
Altruism as a sentiment is approved by
proportion of people so large that the
doctrine may be called universal in civil
lied society. Of the practice the most we
can say of our race is that there is more OF
working altruism than at any perevious
period, still leaving room for an indefinite
increase. The further application of the
virtue is to be recommended by the secular
teacher of ethics and urged by the men,
bers of religious bodies. The chief in
strument of care for others is the art of
finding the good which in every soul exists,
on the surface or covered under false
habits and education; the art of "from
seeming evil still educing good" Every
accepted definition of the overworked word
"gentleman in some way attempts to
bring out the thought of sympathetic in
sight into the feelings of others. Many
clever phrases have been invented, but
none has improved on Chaucer's instruc-
ton to "tak him for the grettest gentilman' y
the man who "most entendeth ay to dc
the gentil dedes he can" The Father OIL
English Literature tells in that line that
both the spirit and the deed are necessary
to complete the perfect gentlemanhood
In his course of gentle intent and gentle
deeds the true gentleman will constantly
look for the best in others and seek t.
show his appreciation, Thus he will scat
ter happiness, and thus he will strengthen
the good with the sunshine and dews o
encouraging recognition.
Stamping the perception of mans bette
side as the first instrument of altruism, thu
second is the yet more difficult art of no
seeing defect and weakness. 1t is tn,
rarest gentleman who is schooled to Civ
no sign by speech or look when misfortune
error or ignorance exposes other persons
to ridicule or reproof. One who canno
practice the art of overlooking is hopeless
ly uncharitable. In its totalization of small
miseries there is no fault of mankind which
is more deficient in genuine altruism thai
the "copia fandi," the louuacious abund
ance, of petty consciousness.
Against the impulse of sarcasm set tn
art of finding merit; against the pressur
of consciousness set the beautiful accom-
plishment of overlooking, of seeming no
to see, the short comings which alread
cause to our friends sadness enough. til
the noblest accomplishment of good breed
ing and the attribute which unmistakabl
gives to its possessor the distinction Q
social superiority. Ruskin once wrote tina
the only place where man can rightfull
be thoughtless is his deathbed. So lon
as anything awaits doing he must think
because he cannot act accurately withou
thinking beforehand. He cannot be a.
altruist without thinking how not to ca
attention to the sore spots of another
being.
From the beginning of Democratic rul
after Reconstruction in this State up t
the end of the last term of State Superin
tendent of Education J. V. Calhoun, poll