The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-09-12
AmARP nnr or TIiNE.

The saddest spectacle on earth is q
great mind in ruins. John G. SAKE is
poet, statesman and philosopher
Thirty years ago his star had reached
a glorious elimination. He edited a
Democratic newspaper in Connecti-
cut and was not only able and pro-
found, but bright and sparkling. The
literary periodicals Of the country
were illuminated with his gems OF po-
etry and learned essays on the most
abstruse questions Of the day. Fifteen
years sgo, when he was in the full
splendor OF his fame, he visited Mem
phis at the instance OF L. @. Mellow
ell, president of the Memphis Literary
Society, aud delivered several lectures
which could not be eurpassed for cru.
dition and brilllancy. Mr.. SAKE was
accompanied by his daughter, who
inherited the genius Of her
father. Our people regarded him
as the equal OF Haskell and Mar
shall. In physical stature he was
molel--tall and we'll proportional,
and contemplated life with the cheer
fulness Of boy. But one by one death
has robbed him Of his loved ones
He sadly dwells upon the loss Of wife
aud children. He has lucid intervalp,
aud attributes his melancholy suffer
ings to the shock his nerves received
in railroad accident twelve years
ago, in which he mirsculously es-
capped death by fire. He presents
pitiable spectacle to the friends who
knew him twenty years ago. Hi,
hair aud beard are white as snow; his
form is bent and emaciated, aud his
step slow and totteriDg. He is no
longer the nations wit, humorist,
statesman and philosopher. 1t is
strange that the greatest intellects are
the easiest Jared from their equilib-
rum. The history OF the world
shows that the man with imaginative
power and tender affection suffers
more than one who Is coarse or has
blunted sensibilities. This would i'm
ply that "Tis folly to be wise where
ignorance is bliss" that the uncivilized
barbarian is happier than the edu-
Gated intellect. 1t Is true that the
widening OF our intellectual horizon
increases our susceptibllities. But In
tsllect and learning should be based
on that philosophy which teaches
submission to misiortunes as a part of
life. Troubles always press heavily on
those who, like SAKE, yield to them
without resistance. II SAKE had APP
pealed to his philosophy and tore
himself by a vigorous resolution from
the anxieties that have wrecked him
his melancholy would have vanished
and given place to new hopes
and new courage, Dependency
is the refuge OF the coward.
Fortune is tickle and the firm and
resolute spirit has heart for every
fate. Poetical natures like that OF
John G. Sake suffer because the vivid
ness Of their imaginations tends to
exsggerstlon. They do not see the
evils as they are, but as they appear
to their excited fancy. The bird Of
Paradise escapes from the storm by fly
ing high above the surging tempest,
and so will the manly man by arming
himself to fight "a sea OF troubles"
Goethe forcibly wrote:
"Timid wavering-cowardly foars,
Anxious complaints and womanly tears,
These can avert no evil from thee,
Nor ever make from suffering free;
Use every effort In thy power
To strengthen in the needy hour,
Nor yield, nor bow-try every art that made
And call the army Of tho gods TO aidP'