The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-06-28
PRIZE kssAY-"ELEME OF TRUE
GREATNESS"
By HENRY PICKLES RFAD AT THE COMMENCEMENT
AXkRcisEs OF ALBERT LYONS SCHOOL, oHATAwA,
MISS, JUNE 24TU.

BY HENRY PICKLES -READ. AT THE COMMENCEMENT
EXERcIsEs OF ALBERT LYONS SCHOOL, CHATAwA
MISS, JUNE 24TV.
The mind panses, restless and weared, as il
has in vain pored DER the hidden mysteries of
historic lore, searching uselessly for that one
human being, who throughout all ages, and under
all circumstances, in every form of government
and through all struggles, has combined all those
elements which render him deserving of the en-
vsble title, truly great In vain has it essayed
to sfix tue glorious crown on the brow of one
whom it can with impartiality denominate worthy
of The reward.
Oh, nature, thou weak and frail goddess, why
hast thou rendered thy servants so wsyward
Like most OF compounds, true greatness is COM
posed OF many elements, all of which are absO-
lutey necessary to the formation OF an entire and
perfect whole. II Is capable OF no alteration; so
It's primary parts must remain unchanged till it
has ceased to be. Various ages have placed a
higher standard upon it than others; and il has
been almost increasingly from the foundation of
the world receiving new additions and the stand
ard has been Continually increasing. There was
time when 10 be valiant in war was to be truly
great; when the most worthy champion of Mars
was looked upon as fit candidate for the glorious
appellati0n. Advancement of civilization has
thrown this theory to the winds. There was a
time when wisdom alone constituted greatness
but this has now been made to constitute only
enc OF the elements. Each age has had it's hero
on whom it has poured all the honors and dis.
unctions which are appropriate to him who
wortbly wins the precious boon. But Truth still
demands her right, and allows no consideration 70
De mace Tor any cause, which might palliate the
almost stigma resting upon that age which has
Jailed 10 produce her personation of greatness
She cries aloud against the attempts Of nations
to shroud with the honorable distinction one
whom is the least wanting In the qualifications
necessary to the ful6ment OF her imposed laws
hac cd ifcalf
tue greatness? In what does it consist? and
what are the elements necessary TO its formation
snail the one answer 10 all be in the form of an
example: He who PUSHES heedIessly into the fright
ful carnage and rescues, by his personal proves
and mastery activity, his wounded and bleeding
country scattering far and wide her powerful
enemiesg In this respect he is great bat more is
required Shall we bow in acknowledgment be-
fore him who by untiring efforts and dexterous
skill, has succeeded in raising his native land from
the depths of ignorance and slavery to the Din.
nacie OF fame and gloryg Truly is be great, but
yet the standard is not reached Shall we lay the
reward at the feet of him who throughout his life
has been devoted disciple of Minerva giving
time. health and means TO the attainment of knowI
edge2 Not yet; still more is required. The brain
becomes wsaried IN propounding such questions
ana Itself attempting the answer, until tue heart
an reason speak aud cry aloud: Away with such
oaubles as man has offered as dc Candidates tor
tie most noble of honors. Give to him VINO lead
tie lie Of a true Christian. flied with generous
% HIM who holds the laws of his God before The |
gaze OF man and bids him there behold what alone |
can give him true greatness tells MIN TO follow the
dictates OF conscience and the will of God uniting
hls love to his Creator and his duty to his fellow
man. True greatness consists, rather 10 greatness
and purify OF the heart and soul than in the weak |
and sinful works done in the body. Mans deeds /
when prompted by bis neture, are at best but fee |
Bile essays tor mighty end. Yet VINO is that be |
ng, who has attentIvGly read the pages of an |
Gent and modern history ia search of a near an |
prOach 10 true greatness vainly? Who is he |
that cannot from among the many noble soldier. |
glorious writer's and firm legislators, choose ons
whose lie Is a type Of greatness, though not per.
feet! Who has read the history of the Great Al. |
fred, and can find In him nothing but foul corrnD
ton unequsled a. a soldier and patriot terrible
Ia war, and yet 20 mid in peace; uniting goodness
OF heart and soul with greatness of action: the
greatest writer # his age, and the inventor of Gus
toms END Articles which have not, even at this |
cafe, been superseded by superior productionsg
be SCARED far above the level of the common
hetd, and stood forth a type worthy of the imita.
social ano political advancement. Here il
comolDsuon OF many of those elements which aid
IN TIE composition of true greatness.
ho has pondered the wisdom and self sacrifice
OF Scion and Ly curgus, the Lawmakers OF Greece.
whose lives were but one scene of devotion To
their country. the result of whose laoors made
Athens snd Sparta the models of the world and
around whose heads there rests the halo of great
loving hearts of their cOuntrymsn throughout al
time and under ell changes, without feeling thai
they we're indeed great? But Why conhue our.
selves 10 the pages Of ancient history? Has the
modern world become so debased that 1; can
boast no hero! Has the tide swept backward ia
It's How carrying with il all characters worthy Of
remark! Where, then, shall we place George
Wssbingtong In what category shall we inscri6s
that glorious name? Shall we let il pass as nm
~orthy! Where, then, can we find a SUPERIOR
shall we let u be forgotten, attribute it to the
lmes! God forbid that an American would ever
lesire to erase from his memory one TO whom the
hearts OF everyone of his counrymeu bow "a |
praise and acknowledgment Even from his
7euth be spurned such actions as would lead him
r. N his God and the heart of his youth was NOT
hanged by years. Devoted to the welfare and
interest Of bis country he thought no sacrifice too
peat for him TO make-no danger too imminent
or him TO undertake in behalf Of his couutrymen
lie lived man he died a Christian hero MOI
Tristan principles goodness OF heart and soal,
'ower OF mind ana cultivation Of genius. are NOT
unworthy Of the title "rrue GTeataess."
Let Imagination burst the cerements which q
ind il cowa TO the cold realities of this life /,
nd with lively fancy picture before the inquir, '
~ mind the hero whose name should ne gHded :
nh the bright and glorious appeIIstion. I
Truly Greet.p Aud as u RradaallV deseends !
. realty. whose shall be the name which shsIi |