The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1879-05-07
CoI,IIIuliIil,al,olsSeHse.

AiS y. ~ 4-tvItUHttst tells ltd Itdus
Ierst That common sense is-paTadoxit.
ally an uncomnon gift. 1t is sym
metry of mind, of character, and Of
purpose in,thsinGsidual combined.
Itrepresents man In completeness
harmony d:eQpipiss 1t clothes
him with sIignjt s,sisinsests him with
power apd staplp lps him with superb
Eority That;is not genius. for that Is
often erratic; nor cunning, in tssin.
uous course; nor tact, withits decline
into trickery. Common sense is the
embodiment Of true manhtod. 1t
Iconfers a patentof royalty, though
birth be plebian, and exalts men
IFSAi lgsesi hsges a he highest
stations. Not BY sudden freaks Of
fortune ora train Of adventitious cir
cumstances are they thus dignitied,
but step by step, through obstacles
and hinderance, they overcome by
the force of character and the proper
direction of the will power. Com
mon sense is a tremendous force in
this lower world. Its power is felt
and acknowledged through all the
ramitications ofgovernments, society,
business, finance, science and com
merce. In fact it is. the history as
well as the trus philosophy of ages.
1t is the salt that has saved humani-
ty from barbarism, and the moving
power that has propelled the. race
onward in its march of progress and
civilization. Rulers who have pos
sessed this gift have governed with
moderation tirmness ana justice, and
their reign has proved blessing
Merchants upon whom this talent
rested have worked their way up
from narrow fields and small begin
nings. to circuits Of trade as wide as
the continents of the globe. lrgave
them the true conservatism needful
tosuccessfully accomplish their plans,
and bestowed upon them the caution
that kept them from too hazardous
ventures. 1t has made more money
kings than were ever crowned at lot
terry schemes, and gave bankers a
wealth that speculation could never
furnish, 1t is the only architect Of
abiding fortunes and the true test Of
al financial skill. It promotes com,
mefce, fosters trade, builds up.indUs
tries, andis the conservator Of pub.
lie peace and morals. In the realms
Of business it.prodnces no panics, in
governments no disorder, and in So
ciety no tumults.
In individual characters marked
differences are discernable. The
weak, timid andirresolute are in con
trast with the strong, daring and en-.
ergetic. The voluble are full of con.
ceit and bluster, the sensible, silent
and uncommunicative. A man pos
sessing common sense knows how to
govern his tongue, and lets his acts
speak instead of words The most
profuse takers are generally those
possessing the least brains, while
words seasoned with wisdom fall from
the lips Of those who are silent until
the occasion denands their utter.
ance. The wise merchant keeps his
own counsel, the skillful fnancier
conccals his plans, and prudent men
Of business conduct their affairs in
steady grooves that run without
noise or friction. Common sense
makes no parade, has no holiday at
tire, struts in no peacock plumes,
and comes out in no sham display
1t needs no aids TO have its worth
discovered, no outside support upon
which to lean. 1t forms its own
groundwork, erects its own super
structure; and builds after its own
model. 1t is substance without shad
ow, success without failure, and vic.
tory without defeat. In the outcome
it wins, when trickery, cunning'a and
TACT have failed. 1t is generally al
lied with truth and honesty, and on
great moral Questions is found on the
right side. History is full of bril-.
liant men who, like comets, have
blazed awhile in glory and then
through lack Of sound wisdom have
made shipwreck of their lives, It's
seldom safe to write autobiographies,
as mans character is not complete
until his death. The men who have
di.d in the midst of their lobors fnll