Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1867-05-16
GREATNESS AND MELANCHOLY.

A recently published sketch of Abra-
ham Lincoln illustrates the oft-told
tales Of the connection between great
ness and melancholy. II has been re-
marked that underneath all the humor-
Gus anecdotes and jokes which Lincoln
loved to indulge in, there was n sub
stratum of self-depreciation, melancholy
and doubt so complete, especially in
the earlier part Of life and until great
adversities reused him from it, that it
seems almost wonderful he ever could
have become the mar of deeds he after
wards proved himself. From the mem
cries Of his law psrtner, Mr.. Herndon, Il
man he had brought up in his office, 1t
would seem that he endured an early
disappointment in love with Ann Rut-
ledge, in whose fathers house he board
ed, but who was betrothed to another.
She died, and he became reckless almost
to the extent Of utter skepticism, per-
haps atheism, at one time. Twice, in
great crises Of suffering, this unresson-
ing despair returned, and he lost his
moral poise for years. 1t would seem
that his friendship for Herndou was the
means Of drawing him back to faith in
something like this way: Herndou was
full Of hope, enterprise and abstract
anti-slavery tendency. al cannot see
what makes your convictions so decided
as regards the future of slavery" said
Lincoln to Herndon, n day what
tells you the thing must be rooted out?'
"I.feei IL in my bones" was Herndon's
answer This continent is not broad
enough to endure the contest between
freedom aud slavery" 1t was in a mere
paraphrase of these words that the con
test between Lincoln and Douglas after
wards began. And it WAS as he got
working at and investigating abstract
principles relating to rights and duties
that his faith grew more real to him.
1.-THE ewes whose sadness had been born
Of childish pain and lonely skepticism
took a deeper charm from a new con-
seriousness budding in him Of the rela-
ton of a mans private carriage to his
public walk. He began to regret many
things, and it WAS the inward growth
going on in his own soul which made it
easy for him to do in Washington pure,
uuselish work"
It is hard to see into the inner life OF
any man but all this seems well to il
lustrate the way in which great men are
made by great eIigeucies. While life
blooms, and all around is smooth and
sunny, men seldom get gloomy enough
10 be very skepsical. With life and
hope vigorous and boisterous, men have
few doubts, never look at anything very
deeply as to first principles, or what can
be said on an opponents side Of any
question. But with depression and mel
ancholy come, introspection that brings
q man down into depths below the fun
damental principles Of all antagonists.
And when he has touched bottom and
begins 20 build up solidly on some per-
ceived and projecting rock Of truth, a
firm faith makes his actions vigorous,
strong and superhuman in energy, while
his spirits rebound at times, or in the
darkest hours outwardly he builds up
boldly, consistently and solidly. The
process of melancholy is necessary to
true greatness and solidity of action.
The highest faith comes as the rebound
from skeptical inquiry, and the most
heroic and enduring achievements sue
coed gloomy doubts and the overcoming
within Of Fundamental difficulties. There
is q sort Of Nervousness of suffering in
all true greatness that seems to amount
to the certainty and regularity Of a iar.
Men suffer in advanced life for the follies
and errors of early years there the
vicariousnsss appears only as to time
and place. But the true statesman has
to suffer and bleed, feel in his own soul
all the errors of his country and his age,
at times almost to the point Of breaking
his own heart with deep melancholy, be-
fore he can fully see the steps through
which alone those he represents can he
recovered to a wholesome and a proper
condition, redeemed from their error,
ana their faults. One honest, earnest
soul voluntarily engaging in this great
work achieves successes often apparent
ly impossible, and even in losing life
finds it, and gives it forth again in new
energies aud vitality to his age, his
country, and all the nations Of the earth
and Of the great future.