Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1860-04-07
communicated

Esded. a word in regard. to the place,
use and abuse of these men may not be
without interest.
1t is not our intention to take it for grant
ed that there are great and good men eve
fywhere, and ask the readers time to trace
with us the steps they trod in order to arrive
at their position; but to refer to the fact,
and its cause, that the names Of noted men
at home as well as abroad are always on
our tongues end. These are men, who on
some account, some inherent goodness, use
fitness, or, sometimes eccentiicity, assume
such a place as to become universally known
and appreciated either for real or imaginary
worth. In their category is one who is
good and every body likes him; another
who is wicked and every body hates him:
one who is industrious and NEEDLES with
nothing which does not concern him, and
every body respects him; another who has
nothing Of his own to do, is always looking
after others affairs, ard nobody has any re-
card for him: one who is always complain
mo about others faults, an las a consequences
every body IS abusing him; another who is
always looking on the bright side Of life
and those who want its sunshine share it
with him: one who is abusivelv religious :;
another pitifuIly religious; one We find en-
riched BY wealth, another poperished by
riches. These opposites might be extended
almost to the Limit Of acquaintance, and IN
any community the reader may find some
one to suit each description. 1t is not
strange. IL takes all sorts Of people to-
make world" But is it not strange that
every home Is the centre Of a little world 7?
And why? Is it that some men are born
to be influential whether or not their teach
ing has made them so? and that they are
the molders of society? A volume of phi
losophising would not fully answer, but we
may rejoin this: one can, in qualified
sense; always silbvert the plan Of his birth.
I may be "born" to accomplish a great end
but may be the principal instrument in frus-
trating that end. Woare creatures Of cir
cumstances; not always the "architects Of
our own fortunes" any more than we are
originators Of our own misfortunes. 1t has
occurred to every one that he who gets
wealth easily is very lavish Of his means,
and he who works and struggles for years
to gain little riches, IS very careful Of
them. Did it also ever occur that he who
suddenly rises to eminence, is likewise for
time apt to be extremely ready in deyising
ways and means for others use? and that
he who rises very slowly, finally getting IN
to power, becomes a tyrant-an arbitrar Of
blessings and liberties? And either wealth
or influence may always be acquired if the
right means are used. Man can invariably
accomplish his aims If he applies himself
according to the task. Squire Somnus re-
tired not long since intending to rise early
next morning to start on long journey.
In the night he dreamed he was mounted
on a flying steed, and with spurs and whip
in his assistance, was travelling at his horses
most rapidrate when being walked, he found
himself in a woodward astride Of saw
horse. In state Of sonnambulism he had
gone out and was using this wooden carrier
as an instrument of conveyance on his in
tended journey. A friend on the watch
awoke him when in this predicament.--
Thus, many, with good intentions and am
bilious, ander a sort Of mental derangem'nt,
are endeavoring to gain an advanced place
BY urging claim or cause no one has
thought Of but themselves-by mounting
a hobby which viii not help them along
and the want Of life IN which they cannot
see until a friendly hand arouses them from
mental absence. o man ever rode 10 en-
inence on a wooden horse. Those who
have become prominent have done 50 BY
advancing measures Of general benefit, ~
propelling engines Of reform, by exposing
incendiary ntschiefs, and, in word, by
conducting an honest and industrious life,
regardless Of opposition and abuses, but
keeping room always in the heart for hon
orable opponents. Reverses and abuses are
the attendants upon an honorable course Of
life. Looking into neighbor's orchard,
you win find here and there a tree whose
leaves are shabby, the limbs broken and
sticks lodged therein, and the ground m
derneath beaten, but taste Of its fruit, You
viii frd is rough appearance i caused ~.
assaults on account Of this being better than.
on other trees. So IN communities. He|
who tries to do good and does 50 indepena-
ent Of popular notions, is made the target