Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-12-08
Vulgar Words.

Vulgar Words.
What can be more vile than vulgar
words? What habit Can be more utterly
without excuse than vulgar talking, more
meaningless or more degrading:
We think so we'll of our women that
we cannot lay this charge of vulgari'y at
their door. We know there are vulgar
women, but we are proud to say that we
think the great mass OF them are clean.
speaking. May God have mercy on a
vulgar woman-for we never will! We
have no language with which we can fifty
characterize this vile habit in men; and
when it comes to talking about it in wO
men, words are meaningless. A vulgar
woman l., unfit company for the beasts.
And good woman who will in any way
encourage a vul gar-speaking woman,
commits, we think, most heinous Sin
ii the good woman can do no more she
can Trbukc the vul gar word with a silence
that is whitening. No vulgar person.
man Or woman, should in any way be en-
courayed III the u,terance of vulgar
word.
But in this article we address ourself
chiefly to men. 1t was among men the
habit Of vulgarity was born; and it Is
among men that it rankly flourishes
And we wish we could say something
here that would have tendency to cule
this vile, vicious and most unnecessary
habit
y vulgar word never means anything
in common conversation-never. And
what sense is there, or comfort can there
be, in pouring out a lot Of stuff that
simply befouls yourself, and every body
else within hearing of your voice? A
man who does this, must know, If he ever
gives the matter thought, that he is de-
grading himself; that he is absolutely
poisoning the world with filth.
We take great care Of our victuals. We
want them clean. Our water must be
pure and clean. We want our houses
kept clearly. We want our clothing
clean. Good women may work them
selves 10 death to keep our food, our
homes, our clothing clean, and we call
them good house-keepers. But what do
we ourselves do to keep the man himself
clean?
Do you ask: What standard would you
set up for mems speech?
Just this Speak so that if your speech
at any time-and all unknown to you-
should be overheard by number Of wo-
men whom you most respect, and that if
the doors which separated you from them
should be Instantly thrown open, you
could face them without u blush. What
ma gnifcent man is lie who thus orders
his speech! And what earthly reason is
there why all men should not do so?
We say to fathers: Always speak so
that you Will have no occasion to blush
should your wives and daughters over
hear you Fathers know that This IS a
good and true test. How many are will.
ing to square their speech in accordance
with it? We say to young men: Speak
so tina, you will never be ashamed to
know that your good mother, or your SIS
ter, or your sweel-he art has overheard you
How many young men are willing 10 ap.
ply this test 10 their speech?
How many fathers do say things they
would not like to have their wives and
daughters hear. How many brothers say
things they would not like TO have their
sisters hear. How many men, who style
themselves as gentlemen, say things they
would not like to have their lady friends
hear. How many young men Say things
they would he ashamed to have their
sweet-hearls hear. And what sorry
Thing that this is SO; and how conclu
sivels it proves the wickedness and Dir
t,nees of vulgar words. A word that is
unit for = pure woman 10 hear IS unti
to use.
Men may talk upon matters which
should not be subjects of conversation IN
the presence Of women, but such matters
can be discussed III pure, clean language
There is no occasion for the use Of filth,
words any where. at any time, or in talk
ing upon sny subect.
In this article we only plead FIR decen
cy. Why should not every we'll disposed
man give heed to our words? 4 man &C
tuslly thinks more of himself if he keeps
his clothing and his body clean. He viii
think Infinitely more Of himself if hi
keeps his mind and his mouth clean
Old man, niddle-aged man, young man
try this, and be surprised t. see what 6
charm it sdds to your life. The atmos
phere arousd you will seem purer because
you are purer within.
We vest father to show this article ia
their sons; twill do them good. W.
want vives to show this article to their
husbasds; It can do them no harm 10 read
it. We wsat mothers to show it to their
sons; twill do them good. We want
sisters to put it before their brothers
twill do them good. We want young
women. who have sense and bravery
enough to do 20, to Call the attention of