Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1879-01-14
VOLUME: XIV.

OF the multitude OF WORKS tnat Qalll
come from the press will be borne VI
by the force Of public opinion, fifty
years hence? How many will be
ranked among the classics of another
age2 How many-Will bear the test o.
criticism a decade hence? We talk
OF mems works as if they were i'm,
mortal. We have our iavorite auth
ors, our favorite statesmen, our favor
lite generals, and in our shortsighted
ness we fail to perceive in the very
works we laud 50 highly the elements
Of decay.
!, To-day a man is attracting the eyes
of the civilized world to himself, and
dazzling the vision with the brilliancy
OF his Observation-Disclosures he
is cast aside, and the public appetite
regaled with another sensation. Oc-
casionally his name is mentioned in
connection with some event, but, eX-
cepting this, the neglected hero Ian
gushes in gloom and perishes in oh.
scurity He struggles for a time to
stem the torrent; but after awhile he
yields, and the surGing mass sweeps
onward.
In no pursuit is the truth Of our
subject more strikingly displayed than
in politics. Lasting fame is rarely at
tanned. There are names in our own
political history comparatively un-
known. Although their possessors
exerted a strong influence in the for
nation Of the government; were its
guardians in infancy, its admirers in
youth, its defenders in the first
dawnings Of manhood. 1t is hardly
less noticeable in letters. The works
we eulogize and applaud to-day will
be the dust covered occupants Of the
back shelf of future gcnerations.-
We cannot see how the strong frame
work Of their thought, and the beau
ttul proportion Of their expression,
can ever become obsolete, but the
past asserts that it is true, We can
not see why they should not be the
idols Of other ages, but the changing
elements in the constitution of that
relentless arbi,er, public opinion, cX-
plains to Us the cause.
win the fame that attends the
prominent men Of this age be with
them an hundred wears hence And
il It should what brief space in the
flight Of time How vain in man to
arrocatc to himself the faculty of en-
chaioing the admiration OF po5,crity
by his weak and puny efforts Do
men rightly appreciate what consi.
lulcs Fame, and is il not an igRiS
f5,UV, to many? Whatever other
qgaiIies it may possess whltevcral.
lurcueu,s il presents 90 the seeker,
whatever ornaments and honuw fol.
IuW ,ls aI,linmenls the Intoxicating
pleasures, the lavor Of royalty, the &C
clamalions Of the multitude, the
privilege OF being the lion OF the
age, all must bear The Commtnlly-
Brief A moment IN the eternity OF
time 4 drop Of water Ia the great
ocran Of humanity. A name that
viii soon be forgot y face who3e |
features viii morrow he called
strange and unknown Is there any
thing in the shldowy rewards, It's
Shortlycd distinctions, to justify the |
scl.lmposcd superiority Of man p
There is nothing. The most decided |
chulftcrisuc OF fame is brevity the |
l,atre which is excmplifed olenest.
What is there in It's successes TO cXalt |
man, Il is unsatisfactory. II is brief |
1t Is hlrrassing 1t may give him
power and notorety, the one is liable |
to abuse, the other brings anything |
but happiness Rivals are contin !ally |
striving to supplant him An enyious
world will countenancc every effort at |
dctraction. S0nder will open her |
viper mouth and cast her venomous
poison at him. Yet we see men who |
boast of the acquisition OF fame. 1t
would be useless to recount the "un-
woes" that follow in It's
train. There is nothing to justify |
mans vanity. There is everything |
to tea h him
why tho splltof morIals should not be rr ID
Acorn,