Page:Handbook of simplified spelling.djvu/78

 use, we shal find the old, illogical, meaningless forms, encumberd with useless and misleading letters, more "ugly" than the new.

The Good of the Many

Even if it could be proved that simplified spelling would always be les attractiv to the eye than the conventional spelling, we should not be justified in opposing it, in view of its compensating advantages. In the march of human progress the plesure of the few must always giv way to the good of the many. Those who deplored, and stil deplore, the disfigurement of city and country senes by elevated railways, trolly-lines, telegraf and telefone poles and wires, and many other modern contrivances, nevertheless now find them endurable because of their convenience, and loudly complain of any interference with their regular operation.

"I Don't Like It" The Board believs that it has now met with logical arguments every tipe of objection to spelling-reform in behalf of which a plea based on reason can be enterd. There remains one objection to which it can oppose no argument. It is the one that voices itself in the words, "I don't like it." For the person who is willing to take this stand, that settles it. If he does n't like it, he does n't, and that is all there is to it. He is by selfconfession impervious to reason on this subject.

Since, however, he assumes the privilege of spelling as he likes, irrespectiv of all other considerations, he can not, in fairness, deny to others the right to spel as they like. He should not seek to enforce his unreasoning prejudice on those who wish to spel in accordance with reason.