Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-08-16

Ger tally
Aght incon-
Tidal of Pepys'
ae us symmetrical
4 IS, and of the preten-
ItQeroes, about whom they
grstitions of the pagans was
than blank faithlessness, either
gods.
gensible hero. worship of civilized races
Ter than the old superstition. But even
1t is capable of infinite improvement, since
the near-sighted impulses of men so often mis-
take cant for wisdom, and pigmies on stills for
the giants whom they vainly labor to repre-
sent.
Events which have transpired under our
own eyes within few months, are sufficient
to show how great is the occasion for improve
ment both in the selection of heroes, and in
the manner of expressing regard. The forci-
bic apotheosis of a mere boy, of fair talents
and modest pretensions, with nothing to dis
tinguish him, and claiming nothing, but his
good fortune in a side show, which travels
with, but has no other relation to the business
and duty of human life, deserves more serious
criticism than it has anywhere yet received;
because it disturbed and deranged the just
equilibrium and distribution of fame which
every man, especially every young man, has
the hope of ultimately sharing The amount
of admiration which men have to expend
in given time is limited. 1t cannot be extern
ported. The more heroes there are made,
the less we think of them individually. The
more monuments we build, the cheaper they
become. 1t is most reprehensible dissipation
to squander applause upon those who succeed
in little things, while those who achieve great
ones, whose light win shine upon future gener-
atoms, as Joshua's sun shone upon the mighty
men of valor at Gideon, are left shivering in
the cold till the other generations choose to
take them in. 1t is startling to think what
misuse and misapplication of fame has taken
place before our time. Take from half the he
roes commended to us by contemporary histo-
ry the accidents of birth or battle, by which
they were made notorious, and there will be
nothing left which is not offensive. "Strip
Louis Quatorze," says Carlyle, "of his king
gear, and there is nothing left but poor fork
ed radish, with head Enthusiastically carved
admirable to nobody" Louis Quatorze is the
type of a long procession of Louis, and Ca-
sars,. and GATHERINGS, and Alexanders, and
Georges, whose offensive ghosts jostle you
whenever you open any records of the past.
difference between mere ostentation and true
respect has not been accurately learned. Tri-
butes which are paid to the departed would star
tie many a spirit if it could hover over the
scene Of its trial long enough to hear j is euo.
gy. Character, fral and incomplete, as is the
habit of mankind, if fortunate in its circum-
stances, takes the garland of sainthood before
It'll fairly separated from its earthly taberna-
Gle. And if any selfish body can see an op-
portunity to foster the petty differences in
which the departed was once concerned, his
extravaganza resembles the mercenary pas
sion extemporized at Roman funerals to swell
the pomp and ostentaton of their sorrow We
w nOL speak uTeVerenIly. i ne lrSt impulses
of grief are as sacred as mans faith in God.
It's after the food is passed, and in the hour
of calm and serious reflection, that it is allow
able to inquire what discredit has been thrown
upon every sober expression of regret and
pain.
In other cases where the manifestations of
affection are measured by works accomplished,
and Sacrifices endured, it is the first suggestion
of gratitude to erect monument to perpetu-
ate the remembrance of them. Perhaps no
man has died within this generation worthier
of monument from the hands Of the citizens
of Massachusetts, than HORACE Mann. Yet
if he, from the pure light in which his spirit
is rejoicing, could take cognizance of this we'll
intended honor to his memory we think he
would choose to have the generous gratitude
of his friends devoted wholly to the cause in
which he laid down his life. Monuments are
easily procured. But it is the heritage and
the legacy Of few to achieve an enduring fame
for good deeds, and to be enshrined in the
hearts of good men.