The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-05-17
Editorial Correspondence.
WASHINGTON. Man IA. 1866.
My 2, 1866.

hAsdlNGIoN, may -, 1000.
Edmund Burke's aphorism that "some
men are born great, some achieve great
ness, and others have greatness thrust
upon them," has come to be an axiom
Of the first class, of those who are born
great, the world has produced few. OF
ell great men, and of those most worthy
of the admiration of their peers, we may
name those who under many adverse cir
cumstances and difficulties have achieved
their own greatness. This latter is per-
haps the larger class, and certainly the
one most useful and influential in mould
ing aud directing the affairs of mankind
What constitutes real greatness? is some
what mooted question and it is no part
of our present purpose to discuss it at
length. He is really great man who
takes hold of his every opportunity. and
makes the most of his time, his means,
and his capacities to develop the powers
of his manhood, aud then brings all his
acquisitions and activities into useful
action for the benefit of humanity
Judged from this standard, some men
who have a reputation for greatness,
will shrink into littleness, and others, who
are esteemed small, will be rated giants
among men. In country like ours,
where every department and highway
possible for human attainment are open
to all who will strive for the high, the
wise, the holy, and the good, he is but
drone and neglectfIl steward who does
not do the best with his talents, his meas,
and mis- opportunities, to achieve COM
pIete and truly developed manhood,
both for his own sake and for his couatry's
We take pleasure always in paying our
respects to self-made men, who have done
we'll for themselves, for their fellow-men,
and for their country, and we have been led
TO make these remarks in contemplating
the private and public career of our es-
teemed friend, Hon. Sidney Perham, Rep
resentative in Congress from the second
district Of the State of Maine and in
what We intend to say of him in this con-
nection, we do not mean to allow our long
and intimate acquaintance with him, nor
our high appreciation of his character, to
warp our judgment or lead US to the en-
pioyment of any mere fulsome a6ulations
10 his behalf. Mr.. Perham was born in
Woodstock, Oxford county, Maine, March
27, 1919. Until he was thirty-four years
of age he followed the double occupation
of farmer and sckool-teacher. His first
public service was performed by two
years term upon the Agricultural Board
of his native State. In this department,
he acquitted himself we'll, and did good
service in behalf of the interests Of agri-
culture. We next find him member of
the State Legislature of 1855, of which
body he was elected Speaker. In 1856,
be was chosen Presidential elector, and in
1858, was elected Clerk of the Supreme
Court for the county of Oxford, which
position he held until 1865, when he was
elected to Congress, and again reelected
in 1864. During the Thirty-eighth Con-
gress, be served upon the Committee of
Agriculture and that Of Invalid Pensions.
He is now Chairman of the latter com
mittee, and a more faithful worker and
earnest laborer for and in behalf of the
moor, manned, muti!ated, and suffering
soldier and bis family cannot be found in
nor ont of Congress, Mr.. Perham has
shown his regard for the soldier Oy prepa-
ring and Introducing, as Chairman OF the
Committee on Invalid Pensions, supple
mentary act to the pension law, which
provides as follows:
"ResoIved, That from and after its pa, Usage,
oil persons (nowl by law entitled to iess
pension than hereinafter specified, who while
in the military or naval service, and IN the
line of duty, shall have lost the sight of both
ewes or who shall have lost both hands, or
been permanently and totally disabled in the
game, lin the military or naval service ana in
the line of duty,) or otherwise so permanent
IL and wholly disabled as to render them ut
terly helpless, or so nearly so as to require
the constant personal aid and attendance OF
another person shall be entitled to pension
Of twenty-five dollars per month; and all
persons who, under like circumstances, shall
have lost both feet, or one hand and one foot,
or been totally and permanently disabled IN
the same, or otherwise so disabled as TO De
incapacitated for performing any manuai Ia