Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-08-09
A PROTECTIONlST.
Monday Aug. 6.

nJ Every days experience only convilces
us the more firmly that circumstances make
men, OF in other words, that the chang ing
events Of lie share the destinies of men, to a
far greater extent than We are willing to ad-
nit, ordinarily. A mans life may often be
an unrunlcd calm, with scarcely more than
the slightest breeze to move its surface he is
regarded by his associates as one possessed Of
fair capacities and the common share Of di-
vine endowmenls. But, directly, some start
ling occurrence, some sudden emergency
arouses long-bured power within hat hlh-
rr,o quiet bosom, and blight star darts up
Into the heavens, and conspicuous meteor
bazes before an aatonshed world. Men
gaze with admiring awe, overcome by the
suddenness Of the appearance, and unable to
account for the manifestation Of such genius in
one that all had previously regarded as but
common man. This one accomplished mis-
sion which no other apparently could, and he
leaves an inde.lib'e record of his deeds and
his fame engravcn upon the human heart,
which is transmitted to tines remo'es, cycle.
Thus one man is suddenly raised from an in
glorious obscuiity to that lofty eminence cfI
commanding greatness which almost dazzles
human vision, and may well fascinatc relestia
intelligence. And yet, this very man can
hardly tell how it is that this spark has been
kindled which has thus surrounded him by
such halo of 'ory but if The result is
properly traced to the cause, it will gcnerany
be found that a sensitive point in his heart
vas touched, and thus the numbering fire Of
IN unearth'y genius has been suddenly form 1
ed into maturcd being, lighting up The uni
7.rsc with is sngula. grandeur.
Fiaco back the pages of history, and the
most ample evidence will confirm al that we
have said ; we nigh, go through the whole /
vocabulary Of immortal names, and thus cite
lnstTaces iunumcrahe, but it would only lie
ad i'te proof to positive fact, and this would
sl'np'y be an act of supe;eroga,ion.
Circumstances developed the greatness and
g0od'e's of our own beloved Washington II
circumstances developed the b'azing genius
OF Napoleon, which dazzled nations, and at
one period almost terrified the whole world :;
circumstances developed the strange wild \
power Of Cromwell, and urged him on to the
accomplishment Of what no other man ever
hciorc did, or Pr baby ever again will do
circumstances, yes, circumstances of the must
acute nature, aroused he slnmbering fire Of.
Byrnn's genius, aud he brcathed forth magic n
streams Of el"quencc which touched all hearts,
and called forth the admiration, aye, and even
the sympathy, in m any instances, of hearts
that hated him and circumstances have jus
developed The strange wild powers Of Kossuth
the bold Hungarian General, who is at this
moment striking tel, or 10 the heart of nigh
~ nation, that has never before quaied at 4
human foe.
Thus we mght Illustrate 20 an erdless ex.
tent nut any orc can follow out the demon.
strallon from the basis OF our reasoning, to
their or satisfaction We never look upon
a human face, particularly if it is marked by
any peculiar features that we do not wonder
U7ct pewer may not yet operate upon that
mind, and thus bring forti gory of which
even Itself IS yet unconscious. Men mayt I
arm much from books but there is knowl- I;
edge to be gained by studying tho character,
human nature in hl its divers fed forms ,
winch centuries of constant app icntion in the j,
most valuable Libraries can never put US in )
possession Of. H.