It is somehow fitting for the oxymoronic age in which we live that we call the uniform distribution of mediocrity, progress.

Anyone who has ever had the good fortune to watch Ken Burns’ documentary on the Civil War cannot help but be taken aback by the simple eloquence of men of little formal education and the surpassing eloquence of some of the educated.

Illiteracy was widespread 150 years ago. Yet, those who were literate, even with just a fourth grade education had such a facility with words that this blogger is put to shame.

Take for instance the letter of one Samuel M. Potter to Cynthia Potter, December 10, 1862. Potter, writing to his wife makes evident his lack of education but yet his writing elevates. He writes… Continue Reading @ National Catholic Register>>>>