The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-21
WE OURSELVES.


statesmen in comparison with those of older
countries. 1t is mistake to argue that peo-
pie must have length of years behind them
before big men are developed. The American
in completing one hundred years of existence;
yet in that time some of the worlds most
noted characters have appeared within its
boundaries-men great not in America only,
but in the history of nations This republic
was christened by some of the grandest god
fathers of all time. Washington was
the peer of any of his day, and
Jefferson and the Adarnses were the equals of
any. Franklin and Jay were tall men among
the great of Europe. In later days Webster
and Clay stood shoulder to shoulder in di
plomacy and statecraft with England's Pitt.
Coming down to the present generation,
Abraham Lincoln was easily the greatest man
of his time. Grant proved himself in war
one of the ablest military men of all history.
He will easily rank with Won Moltke and let
America will be able to match them man for
man to the end. The men who were at the
head of the affairs of state during the war of
the rebellion proved themselves equal to every
emergency, and with marvellous ability saved
the nation from the wreck of disintegration
from hostile forces within and from more
than unfriendly powers without. The con-
duct of national affairs since the war has been
marvel of shrewdness and wisdom. Ameri-
cans ought to realize that which is excellent
within themselves; self-abnegation may be
commendable, but a decent self respect is i'm
perative
An American may be a graduate from "a
third-rate college," or even no college at all,
and still be man in all that goes to
make men. There need be no egotism in
fair comparison of merit, and it is one of the
tests of patriotism to make an honorable and
brave stand for ones country and its leaders.
While few are as hot to rush into war with
Germany as is the News, because Bismarck
saw fit to disregard a buncombe resolution
voted for by less than dozen men, none of
whom but the writer knowing what it said,
no member of Congress, we appre-
bend, would fear an issue of war if the
country were in the right and there was a
principle to maintain-a fact of itself suf
ficient to overthrow all argument that Ameri-
can men of affairs are not the peers of any.
In the language of the street. the woods are
full of them; let the emergency arise and they
will be forthcoming.
1t is pitiful thing to regard all the outside
world through a feld-g glass and then turn the
little end toward our own institutions and
public men. There are persons unfortunate
enough to look through bilious eyes They
see no good anywhere, except among other
peoples. With but one string, and that Jan
Cling out of tune, they chant threnodies or give
doleful utterance to most oninous jeremiads.
The nation goes singing joyously on its pros
porous way; but to them disaster is always i'm
pending and it is their duty to lift warning
voice against thoughtless and inferior race
gone mad in the belief that they are
fully able to take care of themselves.
The ideal Arcadia has not yet been opened for
mortal settlement, and no reasonable man eX-
poets it to be in his time; but men of sound
lives and sound minds are content with Amer
lea as it is, and with the great future daily
unrolling before their unworthy eyes. Bis
marck may rant, and puff, and objurgate-it
is all the same. The few unhappy pessimists
among us may mourn over wicked and per
verse, not to say unseholastic generation; but
at the same time this great republic is march
ing at the head of the procession of the powers
of the world, and proposes to allow no nation,
East or West, to throw the dust of superior
progress in its eyes.