Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-03-28
THE HERO OF TODAY.
eLEMsNrs or CHARACTER WHICH
RAISE MAN TO THE FORE.

GLEMekTo or CHARACTER WnIO7
RAISE MAN TO THE FORE.
4 Ma. Il one. judged b. the Mo- He
Aauairss. ~ Il xstiss by the KisA 81
Ne. sAs Hs.svs-Csurags Il Net shs
ouiy Quality Regulate In Here.
Il Il truth which has not yet come 10
BE- fully realized that much Of the char
ecter Of an individual depends upon his
Ideas of heroism. What he sdmires and
honors IL good test Of what he Ia, or
rather what be longs to be, and his heroes
win always have o strong attractive
force, which viii draw him as Tar ~ pos
kibls into their sphere. In all the various
types Of the hero one quality remains
forever prominent-couraga The can
nibal who has distinguished himself by
the number of bis murders, the robber
chieftain who had held thousandsat bay,
the Indian with his belt adorned with
scalps. the duelist who holds his life
cheaper than his fancied honor. have oil
In times past been regarded a. heroes,
knd whatever estimate they now receive
no one denies their courage.
Equally 10. the martyr who goes cheer
fully to the stake; the man who braves
bbloauy and contempt for truth as he
holds Il; he who risks his life to save an
other. or deyotes II unreservedly to the
good Of mankind; one who can bear and
endure. and another who can dare and
do; all are. In turn, heroes to those who
appreciate them, and all are distin-
ruished by the same element-courage
Whatever DO the virtue or the vice; what.
ever the cause engaged In; whatever the
motives which govern the life-no one
has ever been made hero, even In
thought. unless In some way he has shown
strength and bravery. Cowardice and
weakness, pusillanimity and fear, are op-
posed In their very essence to all hero
ism, and no merits, however great, can
form connecting link between them.
The mistake, however, which has long
been made, and which we are only be-
ginning to correct. II that courage alone
can make q hero. To soine extent we
have given up this notion. Our present
heroes are no longer cannibals or rob-
beers or duelists, however courageous
such men may have been. We have
come to admit that something else must
be united to bravery to create heroism.
And what Ia that something else! Is 1t
not some noble purpose outside OF self
and It's interests. The glad and willing
sacriHce for something higher than
pleasure or interest. comfort or ease.
united to the courage which scorns all
mean temptations and persists In the
truth and right, as far as 1t is seen, spite
of all obstacles-that Is the true heroism
which we are vaguely seeking and be
ginning to appreciate.
The prizefghter may DO bold and In.
trepid In giving and receiving blows;
but, except to q few like himself, be has
ceased to DO q hero. for his purposes are
low and selfish. The suicide may have
the courage to throw away his life, but
he has not that heroic courage which
lives on. enduring. hoping and working,
In spite Of all the adverse circumstances
Of his lot. The great conquerors OF the
world who have plunged their nations
into cruel wars for the sake Of their own
glory and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT were pre-emi-
nently the heroes Of past age, but we
are gradually learning that the true hero
Of his country Is tho man who seeks her
best welfare. who defends her rights and
consults her interests, and who for this
great purpose Is ready to take praise or
blame. to govern or to forbear, to liveor
TO die. Our own Washington and Lin
coin were men Of this stamp, and we are
Justly proud to have them head the list
Of our country's heroes.
Not. however, only In public life and
under the gaze Of the multitude do we
find the true hero. In the home and In
the schoolroom, In the Office and the
workshop. In the crowded street and
open field. no may be discovered by
those who can appreciate what heroism
really Is. Whoever has high and
worthy purpose ut heart, whether Of
truth or duty or love. and also has the
strength and courage to work, to sacri-
fee and to suffer, II need be, for Its sake,
Is worthy of the name.
One quietly denies himself pleasure or
comfort or ease for the aged parent or
the sick child. Another gives up cher
ished plans because they would interfere
with the claims of dependent family.
One faces the displeasure of friends and
society sooner than forsake his principles:
another employs all his power in defense
of tho weak and against the oppressor.