Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1878-02-14
HER0lSM IN DISASTER.

1t is daily lesson in life. and very
hard one besides, to learn that we can
not have what we have lonoed for or
keep what we have gained. If our as
plrations lead us to fame, or position,
or wealth, we oftimes find to our sorrow
lit w C7fIfrC tam the much coveted
eminence, one that we feel nature had
intended we should occupy. 1t is NOR
tifying to become alive to the fact that
we are not so learned, or wise, or skill
full as we had considered ourselves, and
that we take rank far below the esti-
mate which we felt sure our abilities
would gain, or that we undoubtedly
deserved. The bitterness of feeling
which attends this awakening is, to the
sensitive mind, exceedingly hard to
bear, yet there remains but one thing
for us to do, and that is to accept the
situation. We must resolve, that since
we cannot attain our desires, and being
satisfied that it is beyond our each, we
will strive no longer in that direction.
1t is, however, upon the manner in
which we take these disappointments
which in some form or other come
sooner or later to most of us depends
great to extent not merely the happi-
ness but the usefulness of our lives.
There is a curious idiosyncracy in the
minds of humanity which finds vent in
a somewhat remarkable way. The child
covets particular plaything and find
ing that it is impossible to obtain it,
refuses to be comforted with any other.
The aspiring youth, failing to win the
honors of his class, throws up his books
in disgust. The ambitious patriot wik
not serve his country at all If he can
not do so in his own particular way or
station. The laborer in any sphere of
life, thinking perhaps he is possessed of
genius, but awakening to the conscious
ness that his abilities are but second
rate, disdainfully refuses to put them
forth. This sentiment, i carried out to
universal extent, would be chaotic in
its results. Progress would come to
an untimely end, and despair-dark and
gioomy-would reign supreme. To the
young and undisciplined mind there is
a sort of heroism in this kind of com
ing down. One idea pervades them,
and they must make either grand
success or tragic failure At a first
glance this does appear heroic, but upon
a closer examination it will be found
irrational and puerile in the extreme.
Could there possibly be anything more
foolish than to abandon all effort simply
because some one has passed us in the
race of life, or because we cannot reach
the highest round of the ladder
1t is our imperative duty to study
ourselves, to learn our capacities, to
measure our abilities, and then to APP
ply them. Our estimate of ourselves
will then be more moderate, and as we
know ourselves more thoroughly, we
will indeed begin to think more humbly
q self, and with true heroism accept
rs sfrn@aie manf1Iy @h is~ fsa nes
difficult to accept an inferior position
contentedly, ard to labor in it most
heartily. than to descend in the scale of
existence with reckless impetuosity.
1t requires a nature of much nobler
mould to persevere in doing our best,
although it is unpleasant for us o know
the results will not be above mediocrity,
than to labor necessarily for a pref emf
nenee that we cannot attain. In the
one we are sure to receive the common
dation of our fellow men; in the other
we cannot fail to reap anything but
social, commercial, politica or religious
disaster. The first is the path of wis
dom the second that Of folly the one
the road to ultimate progress the other
that to inevitable ruin Not only in
physical advancement is this true, but
especially is it 50 in our moral develop
ment Every mean or unjust action
that we do creates a loss of selt-respect,
and each repetition is more easy of ac-
complishment. In the temptations of