The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-11-30
tPor the State Rights Democrat
Perseverance OF Great Men.

Many illustrious characters, ancient and
modern, are worthy Of imitation, and de-
serving of the highest commendation in
their most prominent traits. We love to
contemplate them as " shining lights"
that loom up the dark horizon of our fal.
len humanity. They tell US Of mans ex-
traordinary ability, and convince US Of no
/" excellency without great labor" We
propose to notice In brief some of the
most distinguished-to which this age OF
progress is largely indebted.
The advantages Of the steam engine,
and its use everywhere, carries with it
the names Of Watts and Fulton. The
great medium OF communication to all
parts of tho world, on land and by sea
the ,eiegIaph-proelaim a Franklin or
Morse lis inventors or founders. Famous
as the name America, is that Of its dis
coverer-ChrislopheT Columbus. De-
mosthcnes struggled successfully with i'm
pediments of nature, and was crowned
the champion of orators. Paul the Apos-
tie, by his eloqucnce caused kings TO
tremble, aud Luther, the Grea; Reformer,
the bold and intreped defender of Prot
estanisln, shook the very centre Of Ro-
man Catholicism. The names of Wash.
iugton, Cromwell and Napoleon are un-
dying, and their remarkable activity is
unsurpassed. Joshua and Cannap, Of
ancient times, are the most notable in
stances of perseverance, on record. The
grandest achievement OF modern times,
accomplished with great difficulty, under
the most embarrassing circumstances, pro-
claims the aRahated, indefatigable energy
of its founder-Cyrus w. Field this is
perhaps the greatest achievement of man;
many foretoId its failure. The limits of
mans ability not being defined, it is inn
possible to tell what he may do, and un-
wise to predict failure of what he resolves
to perform. Now schemes arc in pro-
gress as time rolls On, and something re-
markable is proposed, unthought of, or
unheard before. Very recently We saw
ia one of the papers, that eminent men
in Europe and America are discussing,
with great interest, the propriety and pos
sibility of projecting q submarine rail-
road-tunneliing under the ocean bed,
and thus connecting the two countries
together. Such scheme, whether IN
contemplation or not, would be only q
question of time and not of man's ability
to accomplish Great is the ingenuity of
man! lie wrestles with impossibilties--
80 cslled-comes off victorious, and the
world is astouished. The great secret of
success in all the great. glorious and noble
achievements Of meu, as instanced above,
is sekf.perseoennRce With this great pro-
pelling trait of mind great men are found;
without it, they are unknown to either
history or prosperity. Think Of Colnm-
bus abandoning the project, returning to
his native land-America undiscovered
Imagine Washington abandoning the
cause of Liberty and Independence y
Were there not great barriers in the way
of success? did it not seem at times that
ali mast be left and lost2 /" There was
no such word as fail" with them. Perse-
verance guided their ambition to. noble
deeds, and crowned their valor with sue.
cess. The same .exalting principle has
taken the youth of Obseurity and poverty
into the highest positions of life, made
them poets, statesmen, philosophers and
great and good men. All men are not so
endowed as to- obtain the most eminent
POSITIONS neither is this desirable or nee
essary. Everyone has his vocation and
rank, and all must strive to accomplish
the greatest amount of good in their re.
speGtive spheres. Time is short. TO,
day isN ours. Labor, then, INCREASINGLY,
to fill tRe, high destiny of your being, and
you will be >honored among men, blessed
in Time and rewarded in Eternity.
Yours truly, J.M.S.