The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1866-03-14
Modern Phrases.

Mr.. Salisbury, Of Delaware, with that
thirst f0r knowledge for which he has al
ways been distinguished enquirei last
week. II the Senate, II anybody knew wha;
authority there was for calling negroes
c0.Orei people. The authority IS usage.
and there * none better. The term Is a
euphemiSm into which people have been
gradually drifting IN order % avoid the
tll-e OF cO-temQtuOlSuess which the term
''n.gger has gradually communicated 10
that IN Itself perfectly proper term, negro
The process uy which the change has been
effected Is one which may be witnessed 10
tie case OF many other terms How few
people live IN houses; how many " reside "
iu residences or mansions" How
few schools there are lel; how many ac-
2demles. and institutes and estAh-
iishments." The race OF women is nearly
extinct, while ladies swarm all over the
land. Such thing as fowl Is now hardly
ever seen on Cinuer-ta0.e; the oldest cock
that l. ever served up IS sure 10 be
chicken" Mutton, too. Is becoming
scarcer and sCarcer, " lamb more plcutl-
ilL There has not been tor many a day
such q thing ~ the United States s.
s,0rekeeper or a shOpkeeper; tle smalles,
peliIr is LOW " merchant" We hardly
ever hear Oi anybody in the newspapers
not day laJOrcT Who does not move ln
the best society and who does not boast
hue talents aud dlgnlted manners.
Nobody now delivers a. speech or an adj
dress on any set occasion; he delivers a.
o. OrAuOn. The President - last ce4siDg
20 be President. having been promoted 10
the Office OF Our Cliei Magistrate
There are even very lew men OF moderate
attainments; most men who lAy claim o.
anything beyond a common school edlca-
tion and are nOl actually engaged iu busi-
ness. are spoken Ol IS "rine scholars,
and ii They a, the same time do not spit or
chew aud abstain from morning drinks,
they become accomplished gentlemen"
II anybody advocates negro suffrage be
takes his stand ON the platform OF the
brotherhood OF man. S;ewed oysters and
chicken sailed are neither 4 supper nor
lunch, but an elegant collation." ser
mons are nearly all at least al those
that are considered worth speaking Of
powerful li,c0arses.n Even wives ara
-r4 .Galiy disappearing; men write them
selves doWa ~ the hotel oOONs as being &C
c0mpan.el hy their ladies' whatever
that may mean. In most parts Ot the
West even academies and Institutes
b.l fair % become extinct. their places
being taken by universities" No slr
now ever leaves school; She graduates"
luus and taverus have disappeared long
/ ago; We ind nothing but " hotels in all
directions There are even signs that bar
rooms Will soon be superseded by " sam
/ ple-r0Oms." The process has already be
gun IN New York. People do not telcn
/ things now; they are professors OF them
Corn-dOciOrs are chiropodists." Barriers
are not 10 be found 10 any oi The large Cit
les, while "hair-dressers' abound. Mem
Oer5 Of Congress aud politicians even are
/ becoming somewhat rare They are grad
ually becoming Statesmen" some peO-
/ pie think We are falling OF in our manners,
but m our language aJ least the "hish
polite" was never more successfully cultlia-
ted Tie Nation.