Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-05-17
Self-Made Men.

ton OF the term, are those who, with but
few outward opportunities, have by their
own unaided energies risen to acknOwl-
edged greatness. There is some danger,
however, lest in bestowing this appella-
ton exclusively upon such persons we
convey the impression that those who pos
sess the advantages of instruction, train
ing and assistance, cannot be self-made.
1t is a truth which is sometimes over
looked that, whatever there is valuable or
excellent about man, comes primarily
from his own capacity, energy and indus
try. The most abundant advantage and
the most generous education can never
supply the lack of brains, or implant in
nate power, or compel untiring perse-
verance. If they could, there might be
some Justice in regarding the academy or
university as the rival of self-education,
and in distinguishing rigidly between the
self-made man and the college made man.
As it is, everyone whose life amounts to
anything at all is self-made in the true
sense, whether he be favored with out
ward helps or not. He must not only sup
ply the foundation of a capacity to learn,
but must also furnish continual relay of
power in the form of assiduous and pa
tient labor. If he fail in this, no system
of instruction, however admirable, no
corps of teachers, however able, no
amount of wealth, however judiciously
expended, can ever avail to give him sig
nificance as a scholar. He must be self
made, if made at all, though he be sur
rounded from infancy with every appli-
ance that money or affection or wisdom
can suggest.
The same thing holds good of excel
lence in all other pursuits. If a man is to
become a superior mechanic, or merchant,
or physician, or artist, he must be self
made, whatever be his advantages of
training or instruction. The force to
overcome obstacles and the courage to face
difficulty the ability to form wise plans
and the energy to execute them, the pa
thence to wait for success, and the indus
try to secure it, must all come from with
in. Without these, it is of no avail that
the boy be placed in the best mercantile
house, that the apprentice be trained by
the most skillful artisan, that the medical
student be prepared by the most learned
professors. 1t will all end in disappoint-
ment and failure, if he put not his own
shoulder to the wheel, with a vital power
that no outside influences can supply.
1t would, however, be folly, for this
reason, to undervalue the helps we obtain
from external sources. Indeed, it is only
as we assign to them their true Office that
we can appreciate their real worth. They
cannot, it is true, make valuable men, but,
when rightly used, they can vastly aid
men in making themselves valuable.
There are but few who can rise to great
ness in any branch without such aids.
Occasionally great man astonishes US by
the heights to which he climbs, unsuppOrt-
oil ca1Ta bu bic Ouyp r,ppta1 ctraD rth and
powerful will. But these are exceptional
characters, and might have risen to still
loftier eminences had they been favored
with more p!opitious circumstances.
Most of us need all the help we can
obtain-the discipline of the schools,
the training of the faithful instructors,
the hints and suggestions Of experts
in our special callings, and every other
outside influence that can be brought to
bear upon our mprOvement-ln order that
we may attain moderate degree of eX
cellence. Gladly should we welcome all
such assistance, eagerly grasp it, and ear
nestly strive to profit by it, only remem-
bering that it can never supplant, but only
supplement and invigorate, our own exer-
tions. Just as the warm sun rays and re-
freshing rain drops descend to bless the
plant that is charged with vitality, but
fall powerless on one without root or sap,
so outside help is invaluable to the ener-
getic living worker, but impotent to enc
who lacks brains or energy, or the will to
exert them.
1t is especially encouraging to one who
can command but few external advan-
tages, to reflect that he is by no means de-
pendent upon them for his success in life.
II is true that the best results may be eX-
pected where strong self-energy comes
under wise instruction and guidance; but
while the latter alone can do nothing, the
former alone can do much. Beside, it
never is quite alone. Capacity and in
dustry always find appreciation and help,
and are apt to make it all the more useful
for its scarcity. All young persons, espc-
cially, can be, and should resolve to be,
self-made. Whether poor or rich, whether
wholly self-dependent or favored with as
sistance, they must evolve whatever they
would become mainly from their own ma
tive abilities and enthusiastic efforts.
With these in active exercise, none need
despair of excellence; without them, none
will maintain ii -PbfZnTe}71bin Te91eY