Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1878-06-06
WHERE WE ARE. AND WHITFIELD
. DRIFTING"
by GEORGE HENRY THAYER.

In the footraces of ancient Rome. while
many competitors were allowed,only one OBJ
tanned the Prize. The certainty that only one
could succeed presented the highest induce
ments for each to do his utmost. that he
might secure for himself the victory and the
reward. Months were devoted to careful
training. all luxuries denied, a most rigid
discipline undergone. and in the race itself
each runner strained every nerve. But the
result OF every. trial was that one realized
his hopes. while all others suffered disap-
pointment. Not precisely the same, but
are constantly seen in the more momentous
race ofhuman life. There is no limiting the
prize to one: but while all run. many suffer
the miseries OF failure: the few only win and
enjoy the satisfaction Of success. Every
whore along the way sides Of life are scatter
ed the wrecks OF persisted hopes. Every day
thousand depart from life, worn out with the
pangs and the chargrin OF ever recurring
disappointments. Whence came the failures
That darken so many lives? The fortunes Of
mankind depend so much upon themselves.
that it is entirely legitimate to enquire by
what means each may make, or mar his
own,-may achieve success or bring on him.
self the. sufIerings OF failure. In the first
place. what do We mean when we pronounce
a life a failure? Failure Is the opposite of
success. but what is success, and when does
a life deserve TO be called successful? Is 1t
simply when one realizes his plans and
life. which does not include such molding Of
ones character, and such discharge Of
ones highest duties, as will insure his per-
manent weil-being? That only is the sue
cessful life in which the best and most USE
full things OF which person Is capable, are
accomplished. IL a man does nothing, pro-
portionate TO what might be expected Of him,
his life is relatively failure. II ones life is
useless, or injurious to himself. or the world,
his life Is an absolute failure.
The competitors In those early games
would not have held In very high estimation
training, and who was ignorant of the goal
itself. Yet In the race OF life, many start
with no preparation, and no definite purpose.
less man. unless. indeed. it be the man with
an unworthy object. For In the language of
Tissot: He Is like a ship sailing from no
where TO nowhere" But worthy object
attaining it may be such. that. even though
IL is secured. only a transient good is re-
allied. This idea may be best brought. forth
with which ali are familiar. Two men desire
political influence. and naturally enough. set
about attaining It. One hesitates at nothing
that he thinks will further his ends. By vir-
tue OF unusual ability, his intrigues are tenn
porarily successful. and he rises. step by
step. to the Office next to the highest in the
gift OF the people. But some, one interfered
to success. and his fierce nature calls for re-
venge. A duel Is fought and without return
Ing the fire, his opponent falls. AT last public
opinion turns, as IL always does In such
cases, and Aaron Burr steps down, and out,
a ruined mana wanderer upon the face OF
the earth, bearing all the opprobrium that
should attach to one who had robbed the ma
ton o. one of her brightest counsellors In
time OF need. But his proud spirit will not
suecumb he still hopes to retrieve his for
tunes. The ruined Blennerhasset and his
own trial for treason. attest the result, IN
scrupulous ambition, desire for gain, and a
total disregard OF all good principles, have
run their course; and the man who might
have made himself loved and respected by
his contemporaries and posteiity, is hated
and despised. In marked contrast 70 this
life is that of the Father of his country.
He probably desired influence, but adopted
different tactics in securing 1t. He sought
to rise by virture Of his own excellence, rath-
ington are exemplhed honor and patriot
ism: in Burr, dishonor and treason. Doubt
less there were periods in these mems lives