PREJUDICE.
Truth strove with hunch-backed Prejudice and fell, For people loved the conjurer so well; None aaw, or wished to see, the tricks he played, To cheat their senses and their wills degrade. Though Truth, ideal Truth, can never fall, Nor principle be forced like vice to crawl; Yet Prejudice, usurping judgment's seat Made man imagine Truth a. crafty cheat, A false designer, and a tyrant knave, Whode hopes belittle and whose rules enslave; While He alone gave freedom, mirth, and ease, And trained his votaries in ways to please. So Prejudice grew popular and proud, Who placed their tutor on a golden throne, And cried, "Be thou our king, and thou alone "! No dynasty so undisturbed has reigned; No policy such wide repute has gained, For sons of Prejudice in every land High thrones of toil and intellect command. Go where you may, on boulevard or park, That ancient family displays its mark; In school, in college, church, amusement hall, The learned, the rude, the superstitious fall, By ignorance bewitched to awe profound, Till at the monster's feet they kiss the ground. The high and humble, millionaire and tramp, Contend for honolir in his warlike camp; And rush to battle as his- whims direct, Or as his scouts the friends of Truth detect. Beneath his sacred garb his minions lurk, And seek commissions in his sovereign work In crushing those who, loving Truth, espouse Opinions the proud despot disallows; For none roay teach what Prejudice has banned, Nor own a thought without his will's command. Research is honourable, should the clerk Confirm traditions conjured in the dark; But should his science bring fresh facts to light, They brand him traitor to their master's right, And pour upon him in malign disdain Taovoking epithets, to scorch his brain; Then cast his worthy labours in the fire, And diag his imputation through the mire.. -His excellency's servants never err; The world has always taught what they aver; And " What has been for evermore shall be " Is their supreme, unchangable decree. Hence teachers of new notions are insane, Most dangerous, preposterous, profane; The dupes of self-conceit, the common foes Of common peace, that no progression know. Truth flies the land where Prejudice holds rule, And Policy is master of the school: Where ignorance and superstition toil To blind the intellect and reason foil. —R. N. ADAMS. Dunedin, August, 1899.
PREJUDICE.
Otago Witness, Issue 2375, 7 September 1899, Page 49
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