The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-30


il may be said TO consist in widely dffused
taste for, and habit OF criticism, the occs-
slonal uniudging severity Of which has IN
fortunately the effect OF REFRESHING talent
unsupported by ambition. IL there be no
great statesmen. have the public generally
labored TO raise men into power in whom
they can place unqualified confdence?-
Perhaps the critics are more faulty than the
criticised. In the United States, as we are
informed, the more enlightened portion Of
the community, from regard for their own
feelings, take no part in politics, and studi-
ously keep out Of place. And in our own
country, il is pretty obvious that on similar
grounds, the "best men" Systematically re-
fuse to come forward as candidates for OF.
fee. An upright man, with no selfish Pur.
pos. in view, does not choose to expose
himself to obloquy, or to have his services
paid in public ingratitude. Thus people
may lose something by being too quick
sighted in detecting errors. A charitable
consideration Of human infirmities has more
than Christian duty TO recommend it: it is
the soundest policy.
So much for the general influences which
tend TO repress the growth of "great men,"
Let it. however, again be remembered, that
in very many instances the check on great
ness is independent Of external circumstan-
ces. No individual can expect to travel on
the path to fame without getting rubs by the
way. The more prominent man becomes,
the more is he exposed to challenge; and it
would be we'll for him not to mistake the
cavilings Of the envious, or the morbid
grumblings Of the habitually Disconnected,
Tor the expression Of healthful and gener-
al opinion. The satisfied say nothing: il
is only the brawler and busy bod who make
themselves heard. Besides-and here, per.
haPs. is the pith Of the whole matter-do
the great in skill and intellect always con.
duct themselves in a way to disam jealousy,
and secure appreciation? How frequently
men Of talent. yielding themselves up to the
petty impulses of restless temperament,
are observed to destroy the reputation which
admirers are willing to accord, and to which
even enemies could not properly, for any
length OF time, present feasible opposi-
ton. In such cases, the would -be-great
man is less Judged of by his talents than his
failings. Great in science, literature or art,
be is, perhaps, infrm in temper, SENSUAL in
indulgence, weak in resolution, imperfect in
his moral sense. The world may be cap
tiOus. neglectul; much grievous wrong may
sometimes be consequence Of unworthy
jealousies; but on the whole, mans chief
enemy is himself. When Horace Venet
suffered the indignity of having his pictures
refused admittance to an exhibition in the
Louvre, did he fly into a passion, and 20
and kill himself as an ill-used man? No.
Without uttering word of complaint, he
exhibited his productions elsewhere, and
lived to be at the head OF the French school
OF painting lesson worth taking by 9th
ers besides artists. We repeat an advice
formerly offered-NEvER COMPLAIN: the
world flies from ill-used men. Go ON. true
soul! faint not in doing the work before thee;
but do 1t quietly, and leave the rest to Him
who overshadows us with the wings of His
Providence! Remember that the small 90.
Pressions Of coteries are but transient. and
act with slight efec, on the truly great
great in sentiment as well as intellect. We
are each OF US ON trial. and If conscious of
fecutude, need not fear the verdict of the
Iriounal' w. G.