New-York tribune., 1870-08-05
WASHINGTON AND JEFFERSON COLLEGE.
-.. LIFE-IDEAL AND ACTUAL.

The annual address before the Literary So
cietes of Washington and Jefferson College at Washing
ton, Pa, delivered upon the above topic wednes
day evening, by A. X. Mcclure.
The speaker wished it understood that he disclamed
any intention to repress the inspirations dissipate
the dreams OF youth. True, the obstacles TO be
TO effect successfully the transition from student
life to perfect man-life never be exaggerated but
it is equally true that the best OF teachers never mas
ter those obstacles themselves Men but children
of varied growth. Dreame is part of every life of
childhood, manhood, maturity aud age it is fe's
ing mercy alike to the unlettered and the learned. When
the ideal is longer worshped life ceases be toll
cradle.
Yet 1t IL necessary somewhat TO disturb college
dreams; not to drive them away, but TO remind the
student that there is actuay that will at times
front him, issuing forth from academic halls following
the beckonng finger Of Fame. The mirage OF life is
around all. 1t paints the perspective Of hope, and
presents II dttanabe all that is bright in the future
Were life painted for In the somber colors OF reality
no one OF US would venture forward The ideal spreads
gores OF an angels wing; the actual is thus vailed
until the true life is reached in Immortality.
- Yet, dream as we may none born to greatness.
True greatness Is won only by effort with long and
decade of thought TwOscore Years OF penury and dis
appointment are compressed in Goldsmfth's Deserted
Village" MitOns Paradise Lost was tbe work of half
century The abors required to produce the orator
eXemplfed in the toilsome Preparations OF Demoshenes
OF Cicero, of Brougham, Of walpoe, of Puteney, OF
both the elder and the younger Pitt OF Mansfield of
Burke OF Gratan OF Fox Severe method and labor is
the rule OF the orators existence and Clay, Webster
and Calhoun were no exceptions IT, the rule
Side by side with the gOrons successes OF our great
est men, we read Of their dissatisfaction and dsap
pointment with the results they achieved. The private
correspondence 0f Henry Clay bears this testimony. The
close OF Websters life itself such evidence Cal
houn fell short Of the goal he sought. Gen. Winfield
scott has recorded his grief in autobiography. My
life has been failure" said Thaddeus Stevens in his
last hours.
The dream OF the Presidency the parent OF strange
nsf0rtunes 10 Americans Yet even when fulfilled, 10
mas brought WIN IL sorrows and gnawng care. The
culmation OF James buchanan's hope was realized ~
an oiice nom which he withdrew overwhelmed with
his countrymen's displeasure The Presidency OF Lin
CON was 10 nm long tribuation, bringing peace only
III aealh. An equal disappointment awaited the series
OF heroes who frightened only fade during the pro
gress 9 our late war Even at the present hour those
who have risen to eminenee aud are seated ON the
boOdsalned thrones of Europe find their hopes wither
ing, their flowers Of life fading, perhaps the earth
eneath them rocking with the thunders of war, while
the mirage with which they were surrounded is fading
Inc ideal rednced To n formula In words in religion
II TINS mans creed, that mans dogma, yet ever the
unattainable II nctes the exploration of prophecy and
renetoh; II hods out vain hope To him that would in
nesugate he IN mite The companion Of trusting iath
tarres with the wanderer In the valley OF humilia
t0, ana points 20 the glorious portals of the sky that
oDen with the saaset hous