The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-06-26

History is studded with immortal names.
Those Of Daniel Webster, Washington r.
wing and Elizabeth Barrett Browning are
as imperishable as the historic scrolls they
adorn, | stand not in this cultured pres
euce to sketch their biographies. From
the easket in which repose their conspic-
uous excellencies let US select few gems
for thoughtful admiration. DR.. Leech
pictured Webster as in his boyhood he
had seen the giant statesman on the floor
Of the Senate. As We study his career
two facts loom up before our thought.
First, daigent application TO study IL early
life is tie sTest path TO eminent iateiLect-
uai greatness.
Webster 5 early advantages were limited
His boyhood home was a frontier cabin.
But at fifteen he had mastered Sallus:,
Caesar and Horace. From his matricula-
tion to his graduation, he stood at the
head OF his classes. Early in life he in
scribed on his banner the word Excelsior, f"
with determination to climb the rugged
slope of the mountain Of fame, aud plant
its staff on the peak. When less than
twenty-five years Of age he stood among
the attorneys Of Portsmouth as Saul stood
head and shoulder over the young men at
his conservation. Back Of his native tai.
ents lay treasured spoils from the realms
Of literature, aud with these he graced his
forensic triumphs as the Roman generals
adorned their victorious festivals with the
spoils of conquered lands. By hard study,
from ten to thirty, he laid, broadly and
deeply, the massive foundation of his re-
nown in Jurisprudence, oratory and states
manship.
There is but one way to scholarship.
The plebian path of application alone leads
to this dazzling prize. History and OBJ
servation attest that the patient plodder
outstrips the brilliant genius. The paint
ings OF Turner, the anatomical drawings Of
Dore and the histories Of Motley, illustrate
the logical issue of patient toll Sir VIII
liam Jones, the greatest Of linguists, did
not leap into fame at single bound, as
came Pallas fully armored from the brain
of Jupiter. Liberal culture has become
too general for young men to attain dis
tinc,ion therein unless they cut their way
to the front by perseverance in intellectual
cndeavor. On solid studies the energies
must focalize, like rays on a sunglass.
iriumphs must be won by massing the
thoughts before special departments of
study as Napoleon achieved his victories
by concentrating his troops, and hurting
them on ISOLATED divisions OF the enemy.
NO S'Iuen' eurlches ms mentai exchequer
win Tue nuggets OF knowledge who refuses
10 lit the PICK high ana strike with per
slsteney and force. N student can afford
70 spend any part oil nus college course in
thompson $ Castle oi lndolenco." Col
lege faculties, ike the ancient Roman Sen
ators' have no spot On their domain for
Qnies, the Goddess OF Rest. Nor does tho
nuuioei ~ VI ~ g1oAs .osu intricate intellectual
progress INC ,i'ai 'noush1 oi standard
volumes must oe sunk into the RIM OF
one own men'al oeing Lake the slave
ol Tue aialnohu,SPrinAled rivers OF Brazil
tue student must nolo on 10 the gems and
'oss away Una. wh,ch Is oil no worth. Solid
a. Ia - HIaaN - "a -
STUDY over soiiu SUBJECTS weaVes the wreath
ior 'he 'aiedieeofian, Inc chisel as well
as genius IS essential TO shape the angel
from the parian oioek' by toilsome steps
webster reached the crest OF that Olympus
on which only intellectual kings stand.
on that emlnenee he stood with aprestige
as constitutional lurist equal to that of
Luther among reiormers stood among
great debators as Angels among scnlptors:
STOOD among statesmen as Shakespeare
among poeis stood among orators as Ra-
phael among painters stood among repre-
sentative men as Washington among pa
!rio's' Analyzing Webster's life we are
impressed with the fact that the icorId's
nioa Hsefat aud M'sstrious men haze strag-
g1ea Up 10 position from surroundings Of
Poperty.
His early life was crowded with manual
labor. He earned the money expended
during his academic and collegiate life.
Abundance did not hinder his mental
march as the heavy knapsack retards the
advance Of the soldier. He began and
ended his curriculum uuder natohad cla,ho.