The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-27
LET US CHANGE THE SUBJECT.

Mr.. Salisbury, of Delaware, with
that thirst for knowledge for which he
has always been, distinguished, says the
New York Nation, enquired last week,
in the Senate, if anybody knew what
authority there was for calling negroes
"colored" people. The authority is
usage, and there is none better. The
term is a euphemism into which people
have been gradually drifting in order to
avoid the tinge Of contemptuousness
which the term "nigger' has gradually
communicated to that in itself perfectly
proper term, negro. The process 10y
which tile change has been effected is
one which may be witnessed in the case
Of many other terms. How few people
live in houses; how many "reside" in
residences" or mansions" How few
schools there are left; how many "acad-
emies' and "institutes," and "estab-
lishments." The race of women is
nearly extinct, while ladies" swarm
all over the land. Such a thing us a
fowl is now hardly ever to be seen on
staF 4 h Sure s & G. 9ehoEen
Mutton, too, is becoming scarcer and
scarcer, "lamb" more plentiful. There
has not been for many day such a
thing in the Uuited States as storekeep-
er or shopkeeper; the smallest pedlar is
now a merchant" We hardly ever
hear of anybody in the newspaper, not
a day laborer, who does not "move in
the very best society,"" and who does moi
boast ''fine talents and dignified man
ners.n Nobody now delivers fine
speech or an address on any set occasion
he delivers an ''oration." The President
is fast ceasing to be President, having
been promoted to the office of "Our Chie1
Magistrate" These are even very few
men Ofmoderate attainments; most men
who lay claim to anything beyond a
common school education, or are not
actually engaged in business, are spok-
en- of as ripe scholars" and If they
at the same time do not spit or chew,
and abstain from morning "drinks, I"
they become accomplished gentle
men," If anybody advocates negre suf-
frage, he takes his stand on the plat
form of the brotherhood of man.
Stewed oysters and chicken salad are
neither supper nor lunch, but an
? "elegant collation." Sermons are nearly
'all--or at least all those that are consid-
cred worth speaking of-"powerful dis
courses" Even wives are gradually
disappearing; Men write themselves
down in thehotel books as being accom-
panied by their ladies'" whatever that
4 may mean. Ia most parts of the West
even academies" and .institutesn bid
fair to become extinct, their places
being taken by universities" No girl
now ever leaves schools she graduates. !"
Inns and taverns have disappeared long
ago; we find nothing but "hotels'' in all
directions. There are even signs that
bar rooms will soon be superseded by
sample rooms" The process has al
ready begun In New York. People do
not teach things now; they are profess
ors" of them. Corn doctors are .'chiro.
podists." BARRIERS are not to be found
in any Of the large cities, while chair
dressers" abound. Members of Congress
and politicians even are becoming some-
what rare. They are gradually becom
ing statesmen" Some people think
We are falling off in our manners, but in
our language at least the "high polite"
was never more success fully cultivated
THE FREEDMENs BUREAU o.