Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1880-01-26

hhiliay.

ly native vigcr Of miId, but that case and
promptitudc Of cX cu,ion which also from su-
pcror meotal training" This would srcm to
Indicate that the learned cxic?graphcr believed
that ability Is ah exceedingly rare quality, and
IL its highest scnH. this is tue. But there is
business ability that is possible without the
unusual advantage o! superior mental train.
llg; an ability that is recognized. admired
and cnulatcd by all. 1t is natural CAPACITY
aud shrcWdIess; combined with brsaess e. pc-
roGc9 and energy; an adaptablity 10 c'lcun.
STAGES. readiness and boll1css in emerrcncy.
al regulated by proper degree Of ciu.ion.
SEll, men or this stamp aru ton raro for the
needs OF our national growth. Whiie We un-
Gufs;io1ab'y have much ability among us, yet,
tor The Hcfk before lis, Tor tho places TO be
llIled-Wo speak always IN c,mmolcial
scnso-lt IS matter ot great difficulty
to find capable men. Tho Nation Of a YEAR
ego said: Coed matclia! for lawyers, dec,
to!5, judges, editors. ministers, !arluccs
aud mechanics abGuDds among Us; hut mc:i
to wnonl We caD conmit larse sum of morcg
with pcE.co; coEGdetc, il their etili.y TO i.y,st
II IN soaAc undertaking. that is likely to pay, and
manage hat undertaking with rruierc,, ssga.
cliy and hone ty nro extremely sclIc1, aud their
scl;c iy hes b3cn made Increasingly manifest
b. the grost growth Of wealth iu the last forty
elaia. Indeed, it is literally tluc ihat NO have
mote money ikun We know what 10 90 with ie.
than we can find man i5 10 naIasc." Tti3 is
doubtless true; bat il W. GCplcro tic fact, sc
DO 30 uEreas0nably, because wo ask fer sono
thng very exceptional. Thuso great cn;ar
prise require an ability which appreciates xurius.
tzlents oi tho hig5cst ordcE-qualitics e!o King
Iy described By "Chrst0phcr NoTt!;" ''Alcu.aI
perception GEAR quick ecuto as ono' ! very eye;
conception prompt, vivid and jmp'ctc as if The
past ard tho present We're all one, ard the
shadow oil reality as good MS the suis.anec;
memofy like Sicat milrcr of plato glass, never
btdImnrd either by damp or irosI; udg-
meht discriminating by lines Of l!ght sIl
tho relations OF things aud thoughts BY whicA
lht are at 0Doo connt c.ed, and all separated in a
way most W0bdrOus aud beautiful 10 behold"
That is al ability pleasant TO read about, but il
Is si't denied to most OF US. We must, tnep,
bo c1ntcnt with less brilliant qualifications and
cultivate these sturdy, faithful, ooumon sense
faculties wh!cl we fird in tho average every dav
business man.
There Is, however. ard wo presume aIga;s
will be, one great difficulty in this matter Of
ability. There ore too mary people Gu! Of place,
too many "rouad pegs in square holes" Ifit
ware possible to-rccous:ruct the valinus ccm-
mubiiies Ct thc world With duo regard for The
tiiotss Of things, thereby placing each p,rsop in
his proper position, sicialiy aud CONNIE. ciaiy,
W. would be surprised at the amount of med
GETTY that would develop toto ability; but spcb
a state rl things would rrDdur impossible tic
oi, quoted lcprO1cii, Tho world kpGwJ uoth-
Ing Of lts greatest mcp.' Aa it now stands,
thc by Just from school is gencray pushed
into the llrst opeuloe--wD admit it is usually
necessity by hord woik and prudence
saves lll!o morcy. lilo has no special ati.
ity, or apparent adaptabiIity for the busiuess
but in tho course OF lime he braGcbcs out on his
own "ccouot. lie takes no thoug hit CT local rade
necassilios; orgcts, if he ever kusw it,tha. "src
CESS, always coy ma!dcn, is DOW, when crowds
OF wooCrs have made her saucy, harder tben
over to VIII; but hU stats in business because
othtrs have done SO, because it is the way Ct
the world perhaps because ho is expected TO
do so; bis venture terminates 10 helping to keep
good tho average CT the ninety odd per cert of
failure. This is something Of tost OF his ca
pacty in this direction. but il ijuulair to accuse
him OF lack Of actual ability.
Much, OF course depends On The application
OF ability. We constantly sec men OF capacity
either fretieriug away their laleuts on uun.
portant matters. or.applyios them TO unworthy
aims detrimental 10 the best interests OF society
and commerce. Our professional swiudle,s arc
usually men Of more than average aGility-some
OF them commanding from Us scrt Of ad mira
ZION for ttcir shrewd, but peculiar,
methods, but their success is not per
maneni; honest mon are forced into al
slcrtness which is euro fill TO .hoir scbemes.
But ability 10 right plsco, properly applied to
bouess ends, is irresistible AID will force its
wsY 10 spite of Gil obstacles.
1t, after all. We Gnd that wo really lack ability
let US substitute othtr qGsl;tics-hard work,
economy. f.i,hfuiness, thcroushress, horts!y.
Indeed, We orc not sure that we are always cor,
rect 10 our ideas Of this matter Is rot ability
often an aggregation Of other qualities ra.hor
hen single, distinct endowment? Bulwcr
believed that what men want is not talent it
is purpose; 10 other words, not the power 10
achieve, hui tho will to labor" GoeIho be-
lleVed not so much in brilliant talents as in
stcrIiug Herth:
III thou art anything, keep ii,
In pa,ieuoo all will Ho;k cut well;
Fer you may place him where you will,
The real man will always tell
ptnupc I)T Mirror