Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-07-01
Correspondence of the Grand River Times
Self Reliance the Basis of Ren0wn

When cited to the man of influence, we are often
inclined to admire his greatness only in proportion
to the difficulties he has overcome to attain this
superiority. If, for instance, take the states
man, scholar or hero, we too often esteem their
daring with the same degree of pleasure that we
do their achievements
Man, even in his most elevated position comes
into life an adventurer; and all through his life,
dangers and disease pursue him from the cradle
to the grave. Entering upon its journey, he learns
its history and shudders at the sufferings and mis-
fortunes of his race-innocenoe and beauty Irvine
around him the garlands of bss-the wide world
around is pleasant many objects allure the fancy,
ravish the senses, fill the eye and enchant the
soul, as he cus the flowers that bloom along his
pathway.
Obedient to natures laws his march isprogres-
sive-each onward step is fraught with pleasure
and delight. Hope beckons him to higher joys;
emulation kindles the fire of ambition; and, lifting
his eye upward, he sees high on the "M Of fame"
the greatness Of Others and longs to follow in their
footsteps. But alas for man in his pathway are
sown the seeds of disappointment, and the time of
trials returns with each rising sum- Care steals on
like The gathering tempest; the earth looks bleak
and desolate; goodness, philanthropy andfrend-
ship seem like visions; then stern necessity makes
"SELF-RELIANCE" prince of duties, and individ-
ua responsibility rouses the powers of his soul
to act with mighty zeal. History proves clearly
that when some poverty-stricken son of genius
attempts to rise, dark-eyed envy frowns, ere the
world honors his merits Who was first to with
stand the hardships, and ready, in the fearful day
of trials, to "ride the whirlwind and direct the
ho oil IF = ap hos a1 but
her Demosthenes will live forever! Rome sank
amid the revelings of her splendid infamy yet the
world chants the praises of her Cicero. Science
has had her martyrs, and the benefactors of our
kind were self-relying, bold adventures But
they have gone-their homes are deSoate; yet
their renown is eternal.
Obscurity gave them birth, poverty taught them
patient endurance and heartless world provoked
a sternness commensurate for the task when the
day of hard battle came Obvons mighty surge
may roll, but it never can erase from the memory
of man the names of Socrates, Leonidas and Scipio
What but Self Reliance added lustre to the achieve
ments of Calico, Newton and La Place; and left
their names enduring as stars in the armament?
Were it not for such, science would yet be SUM
bering, and religion locked in the embrace Of
prestly formalites-grim want oppressed them
envy labored to traduce their names-yet they
nerved themselves with energy, and were stmu-
lated to action by just ambition, though
"Around their heads some transient clouds
are spread
Eternal sunshine settled on their heads"
Such men only are able to meet calumny, ward
off the poisonous shafts Of jealousy disarm their
enemies and humble the pride Of those who would
base their fame upon the ruins of another's char
acter, or revel like incarnate fends on the last
vestge of his hardearned name.
But envy and ambition have never snatched the
golden chaplet from the brow of SelfReliance.-
With triumphant smile he has ever stood, lofty,
collected and dignfed above the strife of passion,
as if high on some mountain head-land above the
the obscure cot where he began to mould his des-
tiny he sees the thorny windings the rugged
cliffs of his ascent, far below Multitudes may
sigh with envious admiration, to reach that seat,
and long to wear the wreath of richest laurel
which sheds its halo around his path; but who
will count the days-who tell the weeks-and who
endure the pains and privations of years that Sc
cured to him this honored seat on the mountain
of fame Pilgrims of earth; pause and behold
him. Heir Of envy, darest thou approach him q
Son Of ambition see where he stands
"High on the ramparts Of enduring fame
Unfolds his banner and enrols his name"
MARCO.
Eostmanuiue, June 20, 1857.