Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-12-15

we have not the same language as the
men of 1880. 1913 or the second empire.
In general, language is now cllarae-
terized by greater simplicity. We no
longer wear perukes we no longeg
write in lace frills. but there is one
significant difference between Us and
almost all Of our ancestors. and it Is
the source of our exaggerations- our
NERVOUSNESS Upon overexcited nerv-
Gus systems-and heaven knows that
to have nerves is no longer an aristo-
cratic privilege words do not produce
the same impression as under normal
conditions. and quite as truly simple
language does not suffice the man of
overwrought sensibilities when he tries
to express what he feels. In private
life in public in books on the stage.
calm ana temperate speech has given
place to excess. The means that novel;
lists AMI playwrights employ to galva
nize the Public mind and compel it's at
tentioa are to be found again in their
ruliments. in our most commonplace
conversations iii our letter writing
and, above all, in public speaking. Our
performances III language compared to
those Of i man well balanced and Sc
rene are what our handwriting is com
pared to that of our fathers. The fault
+ is laid to steel pens. If only the truth
We're acknowledged Geese. then. could
save us. But the evil goes deeper; it
is III ourselves We write like men
possessed The pen of our ancestors
was more restful. more sure. Here we
face one Of the results of our modern
life. 50 complicated and so terribly ex-
haustive of energy. 1t leaves us ialpa
tient. breathless. in perpetual trepida-
ton Our handwriting, like our speech,
suffers thereby and betrays us. Let us
go back from the effect to the cause
and understand well the warning it
brings us.
What good can come from this habit
Of exaggerated speech? False inter-
prefers of our own Impressions. we
cannot out warp the minds of our fell
low men as well as our own. Between
people who exaggerate, good under
standing ceases. Ruffied tempers, vio-
lent and useless disputes, hasty judg
ments devoid of all moderation, the
utmost extravaganza in education and
social Iife-these things are the result
of intemperance of speech.
May l be permitted in this appeal for
simplicity of speech to frame wish
whose fulfillment would have the hap
piest results? | ask for simplicity in
literature, not only as one OF the best
remedies for the detection of our souls
--blases, jaded, weary of eccentricities
but also as a pledge and source of
social union. l ask also for simplicity
In art. Our art and our literature are
reserved for the privileged few Of ed
ucation and fortune. But do not mis-
understand me- | do not ask poets,
novelists and painters to descend from
the heights and walk along the noun
tain sides, finding their satisfaction in
mediocrity, but, on the contrary, to
mount higher The truly popular is not
that which appeals to a certain class Of
society ordinarily called the common
people; the truly popular is what is
common to all classes and uniteS them.
The sources of inspiration from which
perfect art springs are in the depths of
the human heart, in the eternal reali-
ties of life, before which all men are
equal And the sources of a popular
language mus be found in the small
number of simple and vigorous forms
which express elementary sensations
and draw the master lines of human
destiny. In them are truth, power,
grandeur, Immortality. Is there not
enough in such an ideal to kindle the
enthusiasm of youth which, sensible
that the sacred flame of the beautiful
is burning within, feels pity, and to the
disdainful adage lodi profanum vul-
gus prefers this more humane saying,
.'Misereor super urban" As for me, /
have no artistic authority, but from
out the multitude where | live l have
the right to raise my cry to those who
have been given talents, and say to
them: Labor for men whom the world
forgets, make yourselves ineligible to
the humble. SO shall you accomplish
work Of emancipation and peace; so
shall you open again the springs
whence those masters drew whose
works have defied the ages because
they knew how to clothe genius in sim
plicity.
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