Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-02-24

"Great men are not always Wise,o is an sd-
age that needs DO illustration at our hands
Great men may do very foolish things and be
anything but great outside Of their sphere OF
eminence. Every politician knows that the
greatest general in the world may write letters
Of which a school boy should be ashamed
And because a man may be eminent as states
man, is no reason to rely upon him as a supe-
rior hnancier or a philanthropist
Yet all great men, whether OF the field or
the forum, whether the dispenser OF peace
from the pulpit, or mercy to the inmates Of the
prison, of whatever grade or sphere, have bad
one characteristic-persev Alexander
is among the first names on the first pages Of
history. Yet, bad he lived in our day, bis ap-
pellation would have been, alexander the
Fool,o for certainly NO fool Of bis time was
ever more foolish than be. His whole course
Of life was an almost continuous display Of
unwise rashness. Eut he possessed will and
perseverance, that made him conqHeror in
all that be underlOO From his victory over
Bucephsius to the last act Of bis dissipated
life, this great feature ia all we see to re-
member.
Jiiius Cesar was smother ore OF the worlds
heroes; true, be was a man Of ability and learn
ing, an honor to himself and an ornament to
bis age, and his greatness was but the results
Of the perseverance with which bis sagacious
determinations were urgedto to fulhllment. So
with Napoleon, and 30 with WashingtoB. A
man Of resolution and perseverance,, no matter
In what age or capacity, viii always be great.
In our own times we admire but few chsrac-
ters with greater fervency than that Of Jack
son. Not so much, indeed, on account OF his
peculiar views, for some Of them were unpOp-
ular, as for le will and honest perseverance,
with which, notwithstanding these circum-
stances, they were enforced. During bis ad-
misistration, every one, from Nicholas Biddle
down to Lonis Philippe, knew who was Presi-
dent His determination was his character,
which made MIN the man for the times. And
so with every great man.
On the contrary: the mouarchs and the kings
Of history who have lacked this great prinei-
pie, are the bard names we can remember,
however easy in ortbography or euphroneous
10 sound. Such men are mere ciphers. They
make 10 impression on the world, either for
good or i'll but, like tie supsrnumeraries Of the
stage, are here only to fil up the scenes, and
then pass away and be forgotten forever.
Now al the principles Of science are servica-
bic only as they are applicable to the arts and
wants Of everyday life, so our study Of our
selves and the history Of our race should be
used to good account in catering to our pres
eat necessities. Every man has his sphere,
and can be great in his way, even in bis humil.
nothing but boot-black, he would strive to be
the best boOt-black in London. And 50 in
every department there is higher point OF eX-
cellence than has yet been attaiRed-one step
nearer TO perfection than has yet been oecu-
pied. But this point can nsver be reached
without perseverance, so determined that L.
cannot and will not be turned aside. We can
not, indeed, be all great generals or great pres
idents, but we can be great carpenters, or
baeksmitbs, or tailors Ur merchants, or great
men.
We are all aiming at greatness in something.
We are fighting the great battle Of life. We
are running great race, either for fame, for
favor, or for gold. And shall we give It up
when just begun, when but half over, or Just a
we are about to realize the victory? We say
no, "neVer give up the shipo while there is
rag Of sail, "never say die" but struggle on
and on, until perseverance crowns your efforts
with success. Whatever may be your pursuit,
do not turn to this side or that, but stick 10
your calling until you have reached an emf
nence worthy of your aim, and honorable in
itself.