THERE IS NO COMMON MAN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 30, 19 May 1947, Page 5

THERE IS NO COMMON MAN

On every side, in every land For years it has been heard A tag, with honest intent implied; A much-used common word That is really meant to glorify The plodding mass that daily spends It’s energies in peace or war; And its ageless journey wends O’er hilTand dale to that dark shore, Where the deep swift stream That all must span Awaits the soul that graced, The living clay of man!

How oft the ready phrase Slips glibly from the tongue, “The common man, the common people.” In general tributes, oftimes sung Man—tagged by those who holding power Or clothed by wealth and rank— Grouped in one great common herd And classified in manner, frank! Yet in each unit of the whole x There lies that vital spark, The light within the image Of Him, who launched the human bark Upon the waters of the earth, Gave strength to strive, and eyes to scan Creation’s panoramic scene, And called the pilot—man! .'.• _. • v ■ ; ;. * ' .* •• Not the ‘common man’ of modern phrase Howe’er well-meant it be, Man in the likeness of his God Is Man—a noble entity! Pride of position, fame and wealth. Lifts many to higher earthly plane Exalts them o’er their fellows That oft with tolerant disdain They speak of those beneath them And- praise with great elan, The struggle, sacrifice and glory Of ‘the common man’!

There is no ‘common people’ No ‘common man’ is found, All men are equal, flesh and blood And—outward bound! To each the task of living To all a destined place, Man’s duty is to" all men, Of every creed and race! Living clay of God’s creation, Fashioned on His master plan, Born to rule the fruitful earth; Unstable, struggling, wondering, man!

Let us away with this misnomer This stigma of ‘the common man/ Let us uphold the status That with Time began; Worthy of our heritage ' ' Ever faithful to our trust Let us walk with honor; We of the Living dust; ’ ; And by the dignity of struggle At our passing leave behind, The hall-mark of our exalted task, In the pattern of mankind. 1 William Richard Whiteside*. ' ' v '-- " *