The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1883-12-23
ASTORIA. OREGON:
r. and 1T"


that "the obstinacy OF the mean man
is in the pronunciation of L and
the obstinacy of the great man in the
pronunciation OF st" This differ
ence may be said to divide all ener-
getic men and women into two gener-
al classes, those who are bent upon
establishing themselves, and those
who are bent upon establishing some
thing which they hold more impor-
tant than themselves. Each Of these
characters may be seen in every sta
ton of life, and in every occupation.
Two men are performing the same
manual labor with equal industry;
one is calculating how much labor he
need expend in order to satisfy his
employer and keep his situation; the
other, while fully conscious that he
is earning an honest livelihood, is al
so interested in the outcome of his
work, and is anxious to see it well
done.
Two men are deeply engaged in
politics; one puts forth all his force
and ingenuity to secure for himself
some coveted position: the other is
equally energetic in pushing forward
a needed reform, or IN securing the
best man for an important post, that
the welfare of his country may be
promoted. Two scientists are both
earnest in maintaining a recent the
ory, or in diffusing a recent discovery;
one because he hopes thus to lift him
self into notice in the Scientific
world and be looked up TO as an
authority; the other because he
firmly believes ID 1t and desires that
mankind shall benefit 10y ii. Two
artists are putting forth every power;
one for the sake of fame, the ether
for the sake of embodying his con-
ceptions and giving them 10 the
world. Two women arc capable
teachers; one is planning solely to
secure her own promotion; the other
is melted by the idea OF elevating
and enriching the young minds in
trusted to her care. Two Others are
diligently engaged in works of char
ity; one IN the hope OF being called
Lady Bountiful: the other desiring
nothing SO much as to lift some of
the heavy burdens of the poor, and
TO let IN 4 ray OF sunshine upon The
afflicted In every case the one is
absorbed with thp thoaght OF Il, : the
other by the thought of 1T" Though
working apparently for the same pur-
pose, and using perhaps the same
methods, their aims and aspirations
point in opposite directions. their
hopes and fears are centering around
different objects, and the sGccess of
q. either one alone would appear Ike
failure TO the other.
It may seeni aF mrs; sight hat. IL
the energy OF each of these charac-
ters is equally expended in the same
direction, the difference Of their
secret motives cannot concern any
one but themselves. II their work is
done, and well done. what more has
society to ask? Il viii be found.
however, that only to 2 certain point
can any work be performed well when
the aim is wholly selfish. There
comes a time to each man and to
each woman when his OF her own in
terest and the excellence of the work
seem at least to clash.
Perhaps larger view would show
that there really is no snch conflict,
that eventually the good of the
worker and the good OF his work viii
he identical But at present, at
least, We are not always able to take
tins larger view, and whenever they
seem to us to come into collision. one
or the other must give way The
self-seeker has no hesitation. His
own interest Is uppermost in his mind.
and If he inagines that is to be pro-
moted 10y Stacking his efforts or adul-
terating his goods, or giving short
weight or measure, or catering 10
what he knows to be corrupt taste,
or sacrificing some p1blic benefit. the
die is cast, and society is by so much
impoverished and injured. He who
on the other hand keeps his eve fixed
on excellence as the chief good. can
stoop to none of these things. If his
own interest is TO suffer il must suffer.
for he has higher hopes and nobler
aspirations that he Will not sacrifice.
Whatever stands in the way of his
best accomplishment must yield, and
thus it is in every case the man who
emphasizes at" not he who empha-
sizes Il" who is of the highest value
to the world. Every employer knows
how to prize a conscientious subor-
dinate who makes the employers in.
terest his own, and society viii be
dull, indeed, If IT does not prize Its
conscientious servants, who in every
walk of life make Its best welfare ano
happiness their first and main con
cern.
The interest in our work. for its
own sake, is cultivatable quality
We all possess it In some degree, and
wemsy all increase it if we viii. Chi
dren may be accustomed at an early
-. kol 4. /,