Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-09-07

AMBITION.

IL w cAalteu hDOVe Tue rest OF man
kind, to dwell on the crest Of the noun
tain and look down over the valleys where
tho many are toling on their wearisome
journey, this has ever been one of the in
tensest desires of the human soul II has
shaken empires and revoutionized sys-
tens of philosophy, changed peasants into
princes and plowman into poets No
class is exempt from its influence. 1t
tinges the hopes of youth with hucs
brighter than the roseate clouds of the
early morning it gives new vigor to
the soldier of fortune whose shield has
been battered by u hundred fierce en-
counters; it urges on, and still on, the
lettering old man with brow crowned
with the snow that never molts." The
thrifty farmer. famed throughout his ma
tive community for his large crops, his
well-favored cattle or his fine horses,
feels the same pride in the past accom-.
plishments and the same ambition for
future success, as more eminent, though
not more honorable, men. The phioso-
pher who turns with trembling fingers
the pages of dust covered volumes, and
the bright-eyed student just coming his
"Gattia est omnis diyisa," worship at
tho same shrine.
1t is in vain to point to dismantlod cas-
ties, in vain TO tell of the wind moaning
over the conqueror's forgotten grave. The
heart refuses to learn the bitter lesson.
Even those who profess to despiso all
worldly honor, who say that man is an
autumn leaf borne on dark and icy
stream,
Dust in the wind, or dew upon the flower"
even such would have their names whis-
pered among men, as their lamentations
are read.
But not all can be famous. Many
man of sterling ability must look on in
silence while another, far inferior in
everything that goes to make up true,
noble manhood, is raised to positions Of
honor So our beloved poet, when be
said,
Lives OF great men all remind us,
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands Of time,"
must have been mistaken, it he meant
that we all can share that greatness
which is accompanied by glittering page
antry and show. For the hopes may be
rudely crushed, and dreams of glory may
be turned to cruel mockeries, though The |
heart be never so true, the head never
so clear, the arm never so strong. II The |
man impresscs the times with his own
individuality, no less do the times and cir
cumstances discover and mold the man.
Thus rough and uncertain to the greatly |
gifted, how arduous must be- the paths
of fame to men Of humble talents Per.
haps, however, the poet referred TO an.
other sort Of subllmity Of life Perhaps
he wished to teach the grand truth that
1--WE can make our lives sublime"
by obeying the dictates Of our moral
nature, by the loving worship OF the
Father of Mercies, and by laboring in
every way to promote the happiness and
welfare Of our fellows. The praise Of
such life may not be noised abroad
over seas and continents, no splendid
cortegc may follow the dead, sweet
flower planted by some weeping friend
may be all TO mark the spot where lies
the dust Of the heart that once beat with
kindly affection, but every good deed
will be song Of angels.
II il be not arrogance, We would say
ia passing that we have always been
with the figure contained 10
The lines,
"AEd, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands Of time'
For the memory and good effects of the
life we just described, foot prints on the
sands seem far too weak omblems. The
waves on the shore, or the
whirl-winds on the desert, may oblit-
crate all such traces. A record Of u
noble life is, rather, strong lighthouse
sending forth its rays far over the trou-
bled waters 10 the storm-tossed bark,
warning the afrighted seaman from reefs
and shoals, and guiding him to the
haven Of rest. We are aware OF the
skill with which Longfelow has used the
metaphor VIC are criticising, we also
know how beautifully the two stanzas
ire fitted one to the other, still VIC can
not help our feeling.
To return to our discussion True
'ublimity Of life does not depend upon
outward condition. IL resides in the
nan himself. The day laborer whose
lands are horny and rough from toll
nay hold principles rs lofty as those
Il king. Let il, then, be granted that
merit is often rewarded, that vico four
shes in high places that the applause