The southern argus., 1891-07-02
A Travel to the Summit Of Fame.
BY MAY A. KEAvBs.
Concluded from last tCeek.)

BY MAY A. KEAvRs.
Concluded from last tCeek.)
The path Of James A. Garfield to
the summit Of fame was after the Or
der of Mr.. LincOln's. Living on a
farm he was accustomed to hard work,
although his Taste didn't run in that
direction. After having read the 'Pi-
rates Own Book" he decided to 90 to
sea. Failing TO get position on the
ocean, he returned TO the city and
sought work on the canal, thinking
that if he learned there first it would
be easier to obtain a position on the
greater waters; SO for three months
he worked hard OH the tOW-p 9TH. One
day he fell overheard and barely es-
capped being drowned. AS he was
sinking he repeated the prayer his
mother had taught him and when he
found himself again among the living
he pOndered whether his prayer or his
mothers love had saved him. Feeling
that Providence had saved him for d
more useful life, he resolved to return
home, finish his education and become
man instead of throwing away his
life on a canal boat. After finishing
his school work he engaged in school
teaching. Mr.. Garfield was interested
in politics and took an active part; he
was an orator of no mean ability.
From one office to another he finally
reached the eliminating pOint-that of
chief executive. His was the proper
road to fame, one in which all can take
pride | do not admire the sudden
and abrupt flights that some aspire to.
One of the most famous characters
of African descent is Fredrick Doug
lass. The following glowing state
ments were made by George l.. Ruff
fin in his introductory to Mr.. Douglass
history. lie says: For every other
great character we can bring forward,
Europe can produce one equally as
great. But when we bring forward
Douglass he can not be matched.
Douglass was born slave he won his
| liberty he is of negro extraction and
consequently was despised and out
ragged yet now by his own energy
and force of character he commands
the respect of the nation. He was ig-
norant but against the law and by
stealth and entirely unaided he edu-
Gated himself; he was poor but by
honest toll and industry be has become
rich and independent Mr.. Douglass
is one of the foremost orators of the
age with a reputation established on
both sides Of the Atlantic. He is a
writer of power and elegance. A
thinker whose views are potent in
controlling and shaping public opin-
ion; high officer in the national
government; cultured gentleman.
Mr.. Douglass has reached this lofty
height through years of toll and strife
but it has been the strife of moral
ideas-strife in the battle of human
rights. No bitter memories come from
this strife; no feeling of remorse can
rise to cast their gloomy shadows over
his soul. With this example the black
boy as well as the white boy can take
hope and courage in the race of life.
The journey upward to the SUNNI /
of fame compares very we'll with the
perilous mountains climbing among
the Alps. A person may be lucky
enough to get far up these steep and
dangerous mountains when a terrific
storm or avalanche comes sweeping
past, and in one instance six men were
lifted from their feet and precipitated
more THAI 1000 feet to the bottom of
valley beneath; others lose their
footing and fall hundreds of feet below
from ledge or cliff. The deposition
of a famous person from public
favor is like the person who has scaled
summit of the Alps with patient and
steady step who slips from his foot
hold and falls down the descent and on
until he finds himself wandering alone
in the dark valley of despair. To
most people il means a social death.
For instance look at Mr.. Parnell Of
England. He was once a successful
political leader tut for all his years of
patient toll aud labor one misguided
step caused him TO stumble and over
the cliff of public censure he fell to
the depth below. The present pros
poets are that he will never again
| ascend to the pinnacle of fame from
W hieb he has fallen.
Keep TO the right. MANY ewes are
watching, taking note OF you, then
keep TO the right. Careful indeed
must the walk of distinguished per-
son be; the words and deeds OF great
people are constantly being noted aud
TO justly merit a clear record-one
must keep ii clear.