Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-08-19
COMMUNICATED,

DEAR EDITOR a meeting OF
1.-The Grover Cleveland Club" at
Molers on last Friday night there
was under consideration a certain
question. which prompts me to write
this communication for the benefit OF
those who were necessarily compelled
to keep silent, because they had not
been raised to high stations by the
recommendations of their faith or
otherwise. 1t sometimes happens
that men are raised to high stations
bv the recommendation of their birth
or the influence of their friends; but
when this is the case, it generally
happens, before a great lapse Oh
time, that these advantages, wit bout
corresponding qualities In the person
promoted, are rather injuries, than
benefits. For to appear with dignity,
under such honors, abilities and ac-
ouirements are necessary; ana as
these cannot be bestowed by friends
or family titles, no one Is trul pro
NOTED, but as he promotes himself.
A son must have merit of his own,
before the reflection of the father can
esta blish him in the good opinion OF
the public; at first he may draw the
ewes OF mankind upon him by the
recommendation with which he COM
mences his career, but If he after
wards fails to give evidence of abili-
ties, abilities worthy Of his station,
instead of raising into notice from the
circumstance of his famous parent
age, he shall only sink into contempt.
Let any take into q review the great
names that have adorned the world,
and they shall find that each man
was principally the builder of his
own fortune. In William Pitt we
have a striking instance; it is true,
he was ushered into notice by the
fame and abilities of his father; but
he was only ushered in; more than
that could not be done for him, with
honor. neither by his father nor any
one else. 1t depended upon himself
whether he should afterwards make
good the expectations that had been
formed of him; if he had failed to
sustain himself on the proper oc-
casion, and the renown of his father,
(Which would naturally be held up in
comparison, made that more diff
cult, he should never have risen to
the eminent distinction that gained
him so high a reputation. He how
ever proved, by the fact, that he had
abilities in himself, and could acquit
himself with honor; the height TO
which he had been raised by his
father did not expose him to the
laughter or contempt OF the pubic,
when left to shift for himself; never
did the eaglet more nobly sustain
itself when taken high into the
heavens by its parents directly to-
wards the sun, than did Pitt when IN
troduced into Parliament by his
father, and then left to depend upon
himself. There is another instance,
of an opposite character, in the son
of Lord Chesterfield. His father had
taken every care of his education;
and if the greatest sollcltude OF u
father, joined to his fame as states
man, orator and scholar, could have
raised sou, the son of Lord Chester
field would have risen to eminence.
The way had been opened for him, by
his father, to the cabinet, to the
walks of literature, and to the fash
ionable circles of society; yet all
failed. But for the efforts OF the
father (seen in his letters to make
his son distinguished man, the son
would be utterly unknown at the
present time. An instance, very
similar to the above, we have in the
son of Cicero. Here the father was
at still greater pains than Chesterfield
to improve his son, and raise him to
eminence. He wrote a volume OF
Ethics expressly for his use, and in SO
finished a manner that it is looked
upon at this day as a model of human
composition. Yet, the son not only
never reached distinction, but ended
in becoming q drunkard. 1t is very
evident to my mind-it all depends
upon the individual as to whether
his course through life will be met
with approval or not. Before the
CLUB" abjourned-Hon. G. II. Knott
spoke of the possibilities and proba-
bilities of the Democratic party win
ming in West Virginia. He insisted
that every Democrat should do his
part, for now is the time our country
calls for her brave sons to buckle on
their armors and battle for the safety
of our proud America.
w. j. KNOTT, JR.