PUBLIC PREJUDICE AND THE USE OF WORDS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5838, 15 December 1879, Page 3

PUBLIC PREJUDICE AND THE USE OF WORDS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sib, —During a debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday last, reference was made to a gentleman who is now the proprietor of a large foundry, and it was said that he began life as a “ common” blacksmith. lam aware that those who used the word “ common ” intended to convey the idea of progress and ascent with regard to the gentleman in question. But surely the -word as used slights, however unintentionally, the blacksmith and his business. We do not speak of “ common” legislators when we compare members of the House who do not gain office, and are not likely to gain it, witli those who do. If the gentleman who was referred to deserved any epithet of the sort, it should have been that of the un-common blacksmith. In Saxon times the smith was a great man, as a forger and repairer of weapons of war. There is too much tendency nowadays to speak and think slightingly of all manual labor. It may be well for those who think slightingly of the blacksmith to remember Longfellow’s beautiful poem “The Village Blacksmith.” and also think of the mighty creations of the present day iu which the blacksmith as well as the enginesmith has his share. All necessary work, well done, is creditable to man, and it would be better for every community if the truly noble and manly command were more fully complied with, both in thought, speech, and practice—“ Honor all men.”—X am, &c., Observer.