Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1879-02-08
"sELF-HFLP.D
Lecture by Hon. VIM. II. Travess.

Quent aud Ll1l'y hlishod address 90 " Charles
Washington Han,' on Monday night, TO a
crowded audience After music by two Bands
and a fe,ici,ous Introduction by Mr. A. w.
Hawks, Mn TsAvErs remarked 10 substance,
that the subject upon which he would address
bis audience IS Sur-liuP" In its selec-
len De had been chiefly influenced 10y The fact
,ba, be should 10 al. probability appear before
a number of young men whose success in life
viii depend more upon their own exertions
than upon any a.I they may receive from
Others.
The tr1est wisdom Is resolu;e determi-
nation was one Of the maxims Of the great
Napoleon. To faithful observance Of it dii
be owe more than to an things else ,hat Won
dcriu. and dazzling career 10 which Kings and
Empcrors were mere puppets, and Kingdoms
and Empires mere playthings 10 bis bands
There is d. occupation however humble 90 Ia
Dor however unimpoItlnt no seat 10 the
worlds great workshop however low, where
tbe qualities which belonged to one Of ,he
most i..us,rous leaders Of men would not
cause that occupation 20 be better followed, that
labor 60 become more effective, that seat more
exalted Tl, elr,h belongs to the persistent
TO the men WHO, conscious Of their own ca
pacitics, resolutely employ them 10 the fore
font q Lies battles The Development Of
these forces is dependent upon the exercise Of
the individual Will. Iu such a work each man
is bis own best workman. Hence everywhere
tie truth IS owned aud confessed that every
man is tle chief art6ccf Of bis own destiny
pTeemiucutiy SO iu a country like ours. Here,
more than anywhere else, is recognized the
fact that the essential difference between mar
aud man is knowledge TO be content With
lies labor, mau must b. 10 harmony with it !;
mind. hand aud affection must be 10 accord
The 6rst most vital inquiries which man must
answer i.r limsc.iore: What ana best adapt
Cd TO do In which direction or natural ea-
dowmeu.s DO most surely tend These au-
swered .s, each address bimseltto The perform
auce OF ,le part selected, not by books alone ;
man pcrlccts himself by work much more
than by readiug They are growing kind
ofmau that eau wisely combine the two things
IL viii not De lous before every young man
VIII discover that there is no occupation TO
which De may not devote himself ia whose
prosecution be viii not be convinced Of the
value Of discipline, OF Of the vast superiority
Of tdo educated over The uueducated mind
Throughout the universe The dominion Of law
exists. 10 mast be understood Tor all things
obey 90 aud are governed by i,. Ills eucoun-
tered 90 wood, 10 stone, 10 steel, in iron, 10
earth. air aud sea, ruling their relations TO each
other. ana mans relations TO them II is 10
agriculture, 10 manufactures, 10 commerce, 10
trade. in business Of every sort aud description.
But these Advantages Of discipline and train
ing. said Mr Travev. should uo; DC regarded
as recommendation 20 az entire devotion 90
the gross uulitarauism which il is the fashion
OF the hour 90 iucglca;e as the highest good
within hunoa reach. The system Of educa-
ton whica reduces everything 90 a gold stan
dlrd. determines the value Of mental action by
tic moacy power it is supposed TO coufer, Is
based Oh O. low conception OF mans ua,ure OF
destiny tie said De would impress it upon
the Young men before him that, ia The midst
% useful pursuits, there are other aud higher
aud purer things than these calling loudly for
a liiseut exercise Of the noble faculties with
which ,bcy have been endowed This culture
IS such a training as best prepares The man
ior the discharge o. an the duties which be-
long 90 lim. which De owes TO The State, to
society. 90 family. 90 friends and, above all, 10
his Maker. AS individuals compose the sum
of tie State aud society, SO upon tue educa-
zion Of ,io individual TO the sense Of the for
nation % character With reference TO meeting
tie Obligations resting upon him, must depend
ue improvement. the progress, and elevation
Of tie race. This great task is the problem
ST for each TO solve for himself Il is the
Psalm ct Life sung 20 The impressive numbers
oftlo Poet when BE tells U.s.
~Lrcisr,al. Lie is earnest" dc,
quoting Iusfl'ov's immortal pocml-
~ sin achieving. sau pursuing LET this be
che uatclvol
Honorable industry, he sail, travels always
i. ,,..l