Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-10-17
value Of q Csn.titption.
From the Philadelphia Ledger

y
Bythis we do not mean that political consti =.
tuition, written, like that OF the United States or
unwritten like that Of Great Britain, 10 Of value
to the people possessing it. All Of that 10 true,
doubt. But we wish just now to speak rather Of
the value q a good physical constitution to the
man who possesses it, and to the nation or State
where IL 10 most generally possessed Yet II 10 one
OF those blessings seldom appreciated until it I.
course health 10 valuable for its own sake or for
the sake Of avoiding the perpetual misery Of sick
ness. But by constitution we mean something
more than health We mean a healthfulness Of
the whole physical system 40 strong that IL cannot
easily be interrupted. There are many persons
who are never sick, and yet never robust, never
well. They never lose q days work, and yet
never do more than the work Of half day. Their
lives are made up of sort of compromise be-
tween sickness and health, which keeps their
friends always supPosing they are about to break
down, while yet they never really do give way,
but outiast half dozen forid, healthy-looking
men Pasty and sallow faced, they have a per-
petual liver complaint, chronic cough. or an
invetcrate stoop Of the shoulders that makes them
bend round like ball or a tortoise. They seem
to live upon tobacco, pies and ground nuts They
never smile, never get angry, never are hungry,
never are tired, and never need exercise. This
race Is on the increase amongst ns. Our cities
swarm with such. breath of fresh air more than
common would kill the whole race. "A VISIT to
Cape May Of two days uses them up for the season
E. We protest against such men, They may be,
and often are very keen in particular epartments
men who take broad, common sense views of
things. They will fddle-faddle over details and
minutiB, while large, heavy, broad-face man
OF much greater obtnseness Of mind will seize the
great outlines Of business and work them throug b
SUCCESSFULLY a- r -. --- ~
Men without constitution are soon worn out
They cannot give continuous attention to one
point, After so many hours their minds flag and
any man who can hold out quietly till they are a
little worn down, can get his way with them.
There is vital stamina Of purpose which is lack
ing In them. Nervous, impatient and idgety,
they cannot wait for the right time and place, to
carry their point and effect their designs
On the other hand the man with good con-
H1tus1on inspires sort of respect by his robust
firm, large and healthy look. Everybody sees
that there is power behind all that is put forth In
everything that he does His cool, easy, placid
way, his cheerful and self-satisfed air has its
weight as well as its softening and pleasing in.
huence He docs not easily get out of temper,
and when he does, 1t is the rage Of a strong man,
ont Of the way Of which all weaker men had bet.
ter stand and get aside. He will often lack
quickness Of perception, and be still slower In
motion, but there will pe no waste of power
about him. IL he makes gesture in speaking,
It will be just sufficient 70 enforce his idea, and
no more. ae+. -.t. t-4-.
A good constitution lies at the basis of much
| sound morality. 1t makes a man insti ncti vely
noble-tne hater Of all Httleness and deceit Cor.
fecf feeling and a comely person 90 naturally
together Education may make a man moral
but the body Is the organ through which the
mind acts, and where the body 10 in any easy and
natural condition. ats instincts will at least be ap,
10 be true TO all the dictates Of what 10 refined
and worthy and becoming. IL all this 10 true II
may show US the importance Of keeping up a
good constitution at any price. The student who
wears this out generally does IL not by over-task
ing bis mind, but by neglecting TO do something
else ebesides-pertainiug to proper food, exercise
or bathing. But In 30 doing, he cuts himself of
not only from success, but from the good will
the respect, and the proprieties, II not MANY OF
the htghes moralties of life The parent or teacher
who sovertasks chdld's brain, or does not take
care TO see that the means are taken In them tC
build up good physical constitution, are train
ing mp miserable existences whose misconcep
lions, faults and depravities will make those ne
glrct<d ones disgrace to their families, IL not
care to the State and to mankind.