Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-04-02
NYSTERY or GENLHS


delicate complimentary phrase. lie could
brighten the gloom and lanaticism of their
lives by drawing still darker, more gloomy
picture than that inspired by religious disci-
pline and bigotry and render it all the more
repellent and dstasteful by the contrast. He
owed his success, as writer to this fact
When genius and tact are combined they
are irresistible. Such a one overcomes all
obstacles and shapes all conditions. Ma
ture seems to regulate her bounties to the
human race according to soil and climate
Music and poetry find a congenial home
under the bright skies of Italy; philosophy
and metaphysics among the Germans, and
science and invention among the Americans
The flames of genius has predictions of
soil and climate and burns all the brighter
when the conditions are most favorable
Longitude and latitude are just as instru-
mental in the development of genius in all
its varied phases as they are in giving bent
to its infinite pursuits 1t has been a long
mooted question whether circumstances or
natural inspiration is the first element of
success. Great men never wait for a COM
bination of the most favorable circumstances,
and would seem that ability or genius make
its own opportunities which "lead on to for
tune" 1t is said that character is destiny
But it is not the whole of our destiny Ham
let, Of Denmark, was speculative and irreso-
Lutte and we have great tragedy in conse-
quence. So sharp and ceaseless is the com
petition Of men, SO evenly balanced are the
opposing forces which are ever struggling
upon the arena Of life that some peculiar
combination Of advantages are necessary to
place one man in advance of his competi-
tors AS genius is blighted by unfavorable
conditions, so are opportunities superiluous
without ability to take advantage of them.
There are men who seem born in the wrong
age or country, and, as nature sprinlSles men
over the face of the globe with as little regard
to their adaptation TO soil and climate us the
flowers of the field, adverse circumstances
dwarf the development or kill outright
thousand where one is ripened into matu-
rity or perfection.
The poet has said that 'some men are born
great, some achieve greatness and some have
greatness thrust upon them" Experience
and observation Of the means through which
men attain eminence would seem to verify
this assertion. But 1t would seem too, that
intellectually, morally, socially and politi-
cally conditions must combine to produce
men Of genius. just suppose Cromwell had
lived in peaceable times, Charles would have
kept his head and his throne too, and Crom-
well would have left no mark upon his age.
If Washington had been born a Hollamder,
America, in all probability, would have re-
manned under foreign domination, and Wash
ington would have been cheese monger
or grazier. If Shakespeare had been born IN
a different era his sweetness would have been
wasted upon the desert air, as one language,
it is said, in the course of its history never
produces but one great poet. There are
men who are great in spite Of fate. Newton
would have been great in spite OF his grand
discoveries. Newtons are possibly born
in our midst still, but the paths of the
planets have become familiar as household
words The leading minds OF the day en-
gagged in scientific research and material i'm
provement must seek some new field of
glory and ambition. When the capabilities
of steam are more highly developed and the
human mind, diverted from utiitaran pur-
suits, is directed in the paths of intellectual
achievements, the poetic cycle will be ush-
| cred in, and our country will then take her
| place among the most advanced, iutelec-
tual nations Of the world, and enter upon u
higher, grander destiny. As we now excel
all other countries inutiitarian inventions,
so will we surpass them in the arts and
sciences
Nations, like individuals, must possess the
/ adequate conditions of successful develop
ment. We possess all the resources and
| possibilities of greatness-circumstan are
only needed to give birth to the moral tenn
| perature to place us upon the highest plane
| of civilization. The world is always strug-
Cling with difficulties to be solyed-ever
contending with principles, theories and SEN
tments, and the genius that can elucdate
the principles, explain the theory and give
suitable expression to the sentiment is
crowned with honors and distinction. lie
becomes an object Of universal alteration ;
/ yet he may be the merest creature of acct
dent lie may owe his elevation to the
mice hazard Of II die and gain without in
/ trinsic merit the Inheritance of all time.
| What Il sense of infinite loss and painful
regret comes over the soul OF the defeated
| general or the fallen statesman who has be-
/ trayed his county's honor. How terrible
must be the consequences of a great mis-
take or calamity, when perhaps the easy al
| Tentative of Il choice a word spoken or UNI
| spoken, would have led to deathlcss fame
instead of cruel oblivion, After all, though,
it is not yindictve or malignant punishment
which the Fates metc out 10 Us, our own
errors, faults and seltishness have much to
do with our success. The penalties gener-
ally inflicted upon US are the result Of our
own transgressions; sorrow, misery, pain,
calamity and destruction are our residuary
legacies. Do not credit, therefore, the I'M
proven legend that dark Ahriman, charged
with the destiny Of mortals, moves between
the planets Of Heaven and casts destroy
ing shadow upon us.
All things look suspicious for a great
Democratic victory this year A good can
did0te is all we want to sweep the the field
against the Republicans. Let their nomi-
nee be who he may-Grant Blaine, Conk-
ling, sherman, Washburne, or any other
reiomer like Bristow Let our Democratic
leaders remember that the people are pro-
crossing. The activity Of the new order of
things have an irresistible tendency 10 pro-
mote broad and liberal views, and public
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