Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1870-05-07
EMuNENol

istiCS oil the AIuokkCdn oyosO
fact that no external fmpedlments
hinder a man from rising to any emil
nence, however exalted. In all other
lands, rank, birth or caste throw a GER
tain restraint over his progress, SET
limits more or less strictly marked,
beyond which he may not aspire. win
us every such hindrance Is
and there is no outward barrier that
can prevent the humblest attaining the
most eminent position in the land.
The blessings that this freedom confers
are in~calculable, and the happiness 1t
bestows is attested by the increasing
numbers flocking to u shores, and
the comfort and prosperity Of the
masses Of our people. At the same
time the consciousness Of this advan-
tage has led many to 'forget that al
though we have abolished all external
hindrances to advancement, there are
certain internal barriers, the power of
which none may dispute. One Of the
chief features of our national educa-
ton is to teach the boy that he may
become whatever he wills to become ;
and doubtless many dormant faculties
are thus aroused, and the ambition Of
many sluggish minds excited. But
this statement, presented in so bald
and crude a form, Is not strictly true.
Though we are theoretically free from
all exterior influences, We cannot, by
a mere effort Of the will, rise to any
position of eminence. Our possibili-
ties are all limited by nature. Some
are specially fitted for one sphere, some
for another; and he who steps out of
his own to fill that Of another, is at
war with nature, and will be defeated
in the contest. The two great aims Of
life should be, first to discover what
Is the work to which we II best
adapted, and having found it, to attain
the utmost excellence in Its perform
ance of which our natures r capable.
There are comparatively few positions
Of eminence for any men to fill, and
the higher in the scale we 60 the fewer
they become. We have but one Pres
ident, and for all young men to resolve
to fill that post would be absurd. Only
a very small number Of our population
can ever become members Of Congress,
or fill important political stations.
The professions, already so over
crowded by eager and inefficient appli-
cants, can only offer uccess to a very
scanty sprinkling of the people. When
the young are impressed with the idea
that they have but to will themselves
into any position they may desire,
and are taught to ignore the natural
and inevitable limitations Of their ma
lures, requirements and possibilities,
we cannot wonder at the numerous and
fatal mistakes into which their mex
perience and vanity lead them. The
requirements Of the world are very
tremendously adjusted, and nicely pro-
portioned to the abilities that exist to
fulfill them. The discrepancy that is
so visible results from u falling to
recognize this harmony, and to pre-
serve this proportion. There are prob
ably not more men fitted to become
good statesmen, lawyers, physicians
or clergymen than the world has need
of. So Of all the other walks Of life.
The majority Of occupations in this, as
in all other countries, are those of the
various mechanical and agricultural
employments. The majority Of the
people are best. fitted to I'LL these posi-
tions, and would attain far more real
excellence, success and honor in them
than in straining after Others. The
fac. is, We present an erroneous ideal
to our youth. There is an eminence
which they can all attain, without an
exception, but it is not that Of social
distinction or worldly position. Each
one may arrive at emlnence In the
excellence of his life work, If only
chosen judiciously; and by faithful
and conscientious efforts he may rise
in this direction far beyond even his
own most sanguine hopes. This is,
indeed, the only standing worth striy-
ing for, and the only one that in the
end will gain the esteem Of mankind.
Who respects or honors the incompe-
tent statesman, the tedious orator, the
prosy author or the inefficient physi-
clan? They rightly receive the con-
tempt they merit. Yet they might
have attained excellence and honor In
other paths which invited their en-
trance, but which they passed scorn-
fully by. Let us then, while gratefully
acknowledging the superior advantages
that enlarged freedom confers upon us,
ever bear in mind that though no ex-
ternal barriers may shut us out from
any of life's positions, there are still
other limits by ignoring which We shut
ourselves out from usefulness, happi-
ness and success more effectually than
could the tyrannical laws of the most
despotic government.