New-York tribune., 1873-01-04
PRICE FOUR CENTS
MASTERS OF THE SITUATION
LECTURE BY JAMES T. FIELDS.
THE ELEMENTS OF SUCCESS AS EMBODIED IN
THE TRIUMPHs OF MASTER -ITNDS-DEFEA1


in "reminiscences and characteristics Of eminent men,
| bringing the distinguishing traits in each
In illustration OF the elements essential TO In ALL
The proved both interesting and instructive,
abounding in anecdotes and amusing hits. II was de-
vered in clear, strong voice. and with excellent &C
centuaon the humorous parts being given with par
tcuar zest, and highly appreciated by the audi
ence The lecture will be found below, nearly in full
THE LECTURE.
am TO speak TO YOU this evening, without pre-
tense. but in all earnestness, II may do 30, few
thoughts on subject which shall call The Masters OF
the Situation :" and example is always better than
precept and as 1t much better TO 90 and do thing
when is to be done, than to how 1t ought TO be
DONE shall hope interest youtwith now and then
short story, illustrative of my theme, rather than by
| long sermon, had the ability TO preach one.
great mastery, like that Of Wellington Bismarck,
Is not so common In the world TO excite no surprise
when it occurs. 1t not and be an everyday
matter You will oftenmes see dullness striving TO
revenge itself upon genius, butt you will never see the
former rising be victor Of situation True mastery
is compact OF supreme qualities. II s herosm; II s
culture IL s enthusiasm; 1t is faith; IL Is intelligence
it is endurance; it is unconquerable will There are
Of convictions whose very faces will hight era,
and there noble women in whose eyes you may
| almost read the whole plan of salvation.
Eleven years ago. vast crowd OF eager and excited
men and women assembled just outside OF Washington
to witness review OF the grand army then under
absorbing interest for IL revelation 10 thousands
upon thousands Of spectators gathered there OF what
could be done for the preservation OF American liberty
and law, and how instantaneously force could be
mustered TO guard them. 1t a brilliant answer TO
the doubling heart, and strengthening influence TO the
quaiing spirit. The review that then abont TO bo
held 20 prelude series OF magnificent victories,
and the to end in 90 days As II American
uniforms were various enough 10 gd the spendor
Il that day, foreign decorations must be added 20 the
glittering show. The French Princes OF the House
OF Orleans, the and grandsons OF LOUIS
Philippe, rode to and fro among the Generals
| staff, and recalled by their brilliant appearance
other days OF this Republic Bugles sounded squadrons
wheeled into line. CannOns reverberaed and martial
music rose from innumerabe battalons. The prominent
figure OF that day was indeed marked man. All eyes
searched the field for Mcclellan and followed him from
point TO point. As the young commander ganoped up
down the line. laundering cheers from more than
hundred thousand troops and spectators rolled after him.
"How we'll he rides p whispered the Prince de Joinye
"The finest horseman saw 70 responded the Count
de Paris and the Duke de Charities ndorsed his praises
"Never anything so elegant" chorused the Gem
erals fair countrywomen But as he rode past group
OF spectators among whom happened TO be standing,
heard these fatal words from the lips OF an old soldier
He is not master of the situation" Soon afterward
when dings Of defeat and modification came rolling
back upon u.s. 1 remembered those CHASTITY words and
| trembled for the issue.
MASTER THE SEA.
There was noble ship full OF eager passengers,
freighted with rich cargo, steamng at full speed from
England to America. Twothirds of prosperous
thus far were over. and in beginning
to talk of home. Fore and aft the OF good cheer
| and hearty merriment rose from deck and cabin
s,sgcq. @ :g .1Ss'a ia p: : SsPty Of
lovely patti before lies a lovely path behind;
sails amid the loviness hike thiDg Of heart and mind
Suddenly dense fog came, shroudng the horizon, but
as this a occurrence in the latitude
sailing, IL hardly mentioned in our talk that after
There almost always croakers on board ship,
II the weather changes however slightly but the Brit
ANNA free that voyage OF such unwecome passen
gersl A happier company never sailed upon
Autumn seal The story-telers busy with their
yarns to audiences Of delighted listeners in sheltered
places; the ladies are lying about on cOuches and
shawls, reading singing; children in merry eompa
MES are taking hands and racing up and down the
decks-when @ quick cry from the lookout rushing Of
officers and men, and grinding on ledge
| Of rocks of Cape Race. One OF those strong
currents always mysterious. and sometimes impossible
tforesee had set us into shore out of our course and
and craggy rocks heard the order given, Every
on deckp and knew what that meant-the masts were
Fee peces of plank floating ont INTO the deep
water. hundred palhd faces were huddied together
wait remember somebody said that little child, the
playelow of passengers and crew. could not be found
returned him to his mother she spake never word
but seemed dumb with terror at the prospect of sepsr
tion and shipwreck and that other specer. gnasty
when af oo m in be in the dee
on OF the wheehouse, ringing like clarion above tho
roar and the cashing sounds ship board
orders came distinctly and deliberately through the
captains trumpet to "shift the cargo" to back her,
mander up there in the thick mist the wheel house
knew what he was about and that through his sk m ana
rescued. The man who saved us. so far as human aid
q
anxious suspense the vessel leaking badly and tbees
Old Mr. Cunard ssens Of the line on hearing from the
maiagent that the had struck the rocks and
aS Courage SIMPLY replied y just what might have
been expected such disaster; Capt Harrison is al.
ways master OF toe situation"
SUCCESS A MATTER OF CHANCE.
Now man ever became master of the situation by
accident incidence. l believe with Shirley that the
Almg has given men and women arms long enough
10 reach the stars they will only put them
an admirable saying OF the Duke OF Wellington THAT
no general ever blundered into great victory" ST.
HAre said 81 ignore the existence OF blind chance,
sSd anGes phrase No an
TO succeed What do you mix your paints with ~ asked
visitor OF Opie, the paiuter win brains, sn, was
Indolence never sent man to the front It is one Of
tionary The fixed stars, they are called are now
known TO be undoubtedly moving on. The deep things
uaveses Of Christianity that abound among the iDdo
lent who take everything for granted Masters Of the
Ward Beecher. Maurice and stopford Brooke, never
idle They to fur their sails and ride at anchor
in the sluggish bays Of extinct thought but
the great thoroughfares Of life casting out those
devils Of intolerance superstition and hypocrsy Who
MT like minister fully master OF the situa
ton from desire 70 the great cause in
which he lie enlistedt Robert Colyer told the other
day, of bighesrted big fsted old clergyman in York
shire who was 90 determined TO convert the Wild,
wicked dwelers on the that when they refused TO
come into church Sunday he would rush out OF his
pulpit spring crowd Of cocknghters outside the
chapei knock some or them down with his brawny nsf
collar them drag them In, and then administer Gospel