The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-16
LUCK OR WIT.

The New York papers contain accounts
of an interesting discussion that was lately
had in the Woman's Club called Sorosis on
tn question whether success in life de-
pended more on luck than on ability. The
ladies debated the question with vigor and
acuteneSs and as might have been expected,
came to the conclusion that ability had far
more to do with success than luck. They
were perhaps right, out they would have
reached a more exhaustive conclusion il
they had decided that success is rarely at
tanned without combination of the TWO.
To succeed opportunity is essential, but
without ability the opportunity cannot be
turned to account
y recent publcist, in an ingenious paper
on successful men, advances the paradox
that there is no such thing as luck. He
argues that fortune is the slave Of ability,
perseverance,, foresight and sound judg-
ment. A cear-headed man, who cOncen-
trates his faculties on the business in hand.
foreSees what is going to happen and pro-
vides for it. When the event he has fore
seen, and of which he has made prepare
ton to take advantage comes 10 pass he
wins triumph and people Say-how lucky
for him that that circumstance occurred!
The publicist goes on to argue that pru-
dent man leaves nothing to chance, and for
titles against every possible contingency.
lust as a careful General defends every line
by which the enemy may approach. What
ever happens he is prepared. He is never
taken by surprise. Providence and the
chapter of accidents cut no figure in his
calculations; he holds that t he one acts in
obedience 10 fixed laws, and that the other
are the fruit of causes which may be dis
cerned in advance. Such man. like Car
not, may be said to organize victory.
This theory cannot be accepted without
reservation. There are accidents which can
not be foreseen. Take for instance the
death of the Emperor Nicholas, which virtu-
ally put an eud to the Crmean war. That
was an event which could not have been
foreseen, nor its consequences anticipated.
1t was pure piece of luck for the allies.
Or take the assassination of Lincoln. That
was not dreamed of by any one, nor could
any one, North or South. have provided in
advance for its far-reaching results. 1t was
a pure piece of i'll luck for the country,
especially for the South. But many events
which are aScribed to luck were merely the
fulilment of exact plans deliberately
thought out in advance. Military historians
sometimes speak of the timely arrival of
Buell. at Pittsburg Landing and of Butcher
at Waterloo as pieces of luck for the army
which won; in point of fact, they were not
strokes of luck IN any sense; Grant knew
that Buell. was coming and when he would
come, and Wellington anticipated Blucher'S
arrival to the hour. In neither case was the
arrival of the re-enforcements surprise to
either cOmbatant.
The timelneSs of events-whch consti-
tutes opp0Ttunity-must always be more or
less matter OF fortune. II the Crittenden
compromise had been accepted by the North,
the slavery war would not have broken out
when it did, and Grant Sherman and SAer-
idan and Farragut and Porter might never
have been heard OF. If OTsini had not
thrown a bomb at the Emperor of the
French, Italy might still have been under
Austrian thrall, and Cayour might have
died an obscure resident of Turin.
1t. was evident to all observers of
events in the last quarter Of the last
century that revolution was pending
in France. but no one could tell when it
would break out. 1t was Napoleon's luck
that it occurred just at time when he was
equipped for the leadership of armies.
No man in public life will base any
hopes on luck On the contrary, he viii al
ways calculate on the chapter of accidents
being against bin. ard on the unforeseen
being on the euemy's side But if he be
prudent, he will so survey the field OF his
operations that he will guard against posi-
bic accidents and will reduce to a minimum
the list of unforeseen casualties which may
tell against him. That is Where ability dis
tinguishes itself from headlong adventure.
The lawyer who wins eases puts no witness
on the stand without knowing what he is
going to say, aud feeling sure that he will
give the testimony that is wanted The
doctor who treats a dangerous case will be
prepared for every possible new turn Of the
disease, and every new unexpected symp-
tom. They in their way organize success.
though the fruits of their foresight and
precaution are often ascrbed to good for
tuna