Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1870-06-25
PEOPLE.

1t is somewhat surprising, although
the desire for popularity Is strong ana
universally shared, that so few should
attain it. In the numerous circles OF
mankind, from the primary infant class
to Parliament and Congress, but few
are thoroughly popular with their iei-
lows. Many warm friendships exist,
much esteem. respect and affection are
interchanged, but the man who pos
sesses the good will Of all who know
him, whose presence Is hailed by q
general welcome, and whose absence
causes regret, is looked upon as one
who has drawn n rare prize IN the lot
terry Of life. 1t is not always easy to
account for the popularity which a lew
enjoy, or to decide OIL what grounds 1t
Is so freely accorded some and denied
Others. Wealth, position, fame, abili-
ties, can none of them secure it. In
stances are not rare where one person
is the favored recipient of all these
advantages combined, and yet remains
decidedly unpopular. 1t is not even
the most exemplary characters that are
always thus favored. Many conscien-
tious and honorable persons, upon
whom no shadow of distrust ever tails,
fail to secure that universal welcome
which greets the popular man. Still
less does the desire for popularity sue
coed in producing 1t. Indeed, those
who are most anxious to stand high i'll
the general esteem, and whose efforts
are mainly directed to that end, are
frequently found complaining of the
want Of appreciation, and mourning
the failure of their eXertlons. Since
neither advantages, nor rectitude, nor
resolute efforts can secure popularity,
What is the element that commands 1t:
What L. the hidden source of the uni
versal good will that is so freely ac-
corded to some who are often its nm
conscious recipients: Perhaps 1t Will
be found that that which more than all
else calls forth this popular sympathy
and favor, is a natural generosity Of
heart and mselfiShness of spirit. We
may respect justice, and honor integ-
rity ; we may admire talents and
envy advantages; but we In
s~tinctively love and welcome the
open-hearted and generous nature
that, without Il thought OF self, works
heartily for Others, and finds It's own
gladness in others joy. Generous i'm
pulses are not infrequcntly united with
grave faults, and yet the latter rarely
prevent the homage universally nc
corded to the former. Those whom
the whole world admireS and loves
may have many failings, but they will
be unseltish and open-hearted, candid
and genial; while GOODNESS, reserve,
and 4 calculating spirit, though united
with rare abilities and many virtues,
must fail to SECURE the worlds good
will. 1t is not uncommon to hear pop
ularity deprecated, especially by those
who have failed after much eXcrtiOn to
secure it. Although it Is never q
proper object to strive after, and usu-
ally eludes the grasp Of the eager, yet
its foundations are deep in the human
heart. That which is universally adj
mircd and loved will not be found ig-
noble, and the world, In browning
upon selflshuess and eXalting generos-
ity, vindicates her claims to a true and
impartial Judgment. If popularity is
rare, it Is because s%elfishnesS Is too
prevalent. Did we all cultivate those
generous and loving emotions. which
in some measure pervade every breast
did we let them blossom forth in ac-
tons of kindness to mankind, and ex-
press in every suitable way the love
which, if cherished, would well up
within us, we should have but little
cause to complain Of unpopularity. 1t
Is true that the world can only Judge
by outward actions; it cannot peer
into the secret heart of men and there
discover the hidden self-dcnial and
quiet nobleness of soul that marks the
truly good man. There are virtues
that never may be known, and that
shall yet enrich the character. There
are those who mourn that they are MI
loved, and believe themselves unappre-
ciated. If they would learn to forget
themselves In others, to cease signing
selHshly, and busy themselves in ere
ating happiness and alleviating sor-
row, they will soon find that what
they once vainly sought will come I'M
called, and a joy purer than any they
had crayed will fill their hearts.