The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-03-28
fof lhc 2 u 1,.-"
A Plea for the ~ ,j ority.

Plea for the N DIRTY.
1t ; surface axiom that the mAior.-
y rules; a, matter Is. fact they du
nothin. of the sort. A minority ru.,>
always. and the multitude arc let about
like sheep by few clever experts
But that state ot affairs need not pre-
vail in our Household, and |. for one
proceed 10 enter plea Tor those Of Us
who are only average.
Some Of our members deslre that i
change be made, aud our conmunlca
lions become strictly edltyin. and ele-
waited, that mere pleasantness. friendly
discourse. and personal mention ~
ruled out, and elevation 20 a high liter
ary standard be the aim ot all writers.
Now that il all very well, but wholly
su versive of the idea of a Household.
Those who are 80 anxious for literary
development, and higher culture, forget
the majority. The most oi who read
.cwepapcrs are people OF average euitl-
vatIun. aud average talents. Il literary
excellence is insisted upon. then we,
who are by far the largest number, are
ruled out.
And aSain, while fine writing il al
ways desirable. and never out OF place,
still the average newspaper reader ls a
much entertained as he desires 10 be by
ordinary writers. For my own part
sometimes read abs solute trash from de-
liberate choice. | am too tired to fol-
low an author in higher lines OF thought,
and set | want 70 escape from myself.
Households in newspapers must be like
households in every day life, and We all
know that the gcnluses In the average
family are counted by only one II any
Those who can write elegantly are At
liberty; nay they owe it to themselves
an their readers always To do their
very beat; but they must not shut the
door in the faces of those of US who are
not so highly endowed. The average
writer will please the average reader,
AMI the majority are avera e always!
Come along. then, with me, sisters,
who belong to the vast army OF the
commonplace, let us write what We can,
always Of course doing our best, but not
surprised or disappointed if we fall short
of literary excellence; and let Us con-
| sente,llv read the letters Of our fellows.
Those who are gifted writer's viii enter
tam and please Us by the exercise OF
their talents, but we need not feel left
outside until the editor rises To the full
measure of his SIX feel two, and says,
Ladies, | desire this House ehold to
change its character. and become a lit
erary essay shop where only about halt
a dozen writers will find standing
roam,v
TheJ we Will rise in a body and de-
| pe1t; but if | understand ari9ht such is
not his desire or design; he gives Us
this page for our occupation, our enter
,ainmcnt and profit, ii we can make il
20; an means by 80 doing to confer the
pleasure upon the lar est possible num-
Der viz. the majority.
We are a very young Household yet
but We are growing very fast, and pres
emily the quality OF our work will i'm
prove. tho it will never be literary
feast But we are not looking for thai
here. in our book cases we can finC
plenty of fine literature. here we wan
simplicity, good feeling, good taste
rood sense, good fellowship. and con
geuIallty, the bringing together of those
who otherwise would never meet, anC
the wholesome discussion of every day
topics. and troubles where each GaI
help little, and be helped in turn. Q
course we are going to be common
place. that is what life must be-bu
sometimes there will be many COLDER
rrain of wit and wisdom, MANY a shin
ing thread of love and sympathy ant
many wise word frov those who hav,
lived, loved. and suffered, and through
!. that discipline have learned how to liv
.. noble and worthy lives. To those VIII,
suggest higher order of writing let M
say one word. don't advise, go to worl
and do; set an example of what ough
j to be-as Yankee Sojourner would say
blaze a trail, and all who can follow
{ will be quick enough to do it. Brsny i
D your improved topics, don say the
ought to be brought in. Advising an
d criticising are about the easiest thing
4 done in the world. Retormcrs must lea
D the way, or they can have no following
a so - and , set a fashion {
e higher style, and those who can vi
: adopt it. and those who can't will 90 0
| as the Lord made them. and be couteI
5 herewith. It's no use for the maj jOrt
i 20 be ruled out
: Non QUID SID GUS.