The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-06
Great Men

Editor Morning News: Your article on
THE Race Has Grown Bigger" is sug-
gestive of thought If there is anything
your writer has made a study, 1T is the
intellectually of men. As an editor for
twenty years, rubbing against governors,
United States senators, members of con-
gress and legislators by hundreds, he
was forced from his position to read
men. To read men correctly is a gift, and
your writer makes pretentions to that
gift in some degree. He saw that many
who made the most noise passed for more
than they were worth, while Others Of
more real merit did not pass for what
they were worth.
He, from observation, has long since
learned that men are only great in spots,
in certain mental points, To find man
great all over is next to an impossibility.
The creates geniuses that have ever
blessed or startled the world had their
weak points, their vices or failings well
rounded character is a lusus nature,
though there may be such.
To rank Stephens, Toombs, Hill and
Brown as extraordinary great men above
others as great, to those who knew others,
makes one smile. Georgia has been blessed
with many great sons, men who left the
impress of their thoughts upon the state
and in the national councils of the ma
ton Where stands T. B. King, G. w.
Crawford Jenkins Miller, Johson, Cobb,
certainly men of great ability? And to
go back half century or more. where
can we find such men as w. H. Crawford,
Troup Forsyth, Gilmer, Berrien, Colquitt
and others great in their days?
There are men in Georgia to-day who
have as much brains as those who once
acted a conspicuous part upon the stage
of action Circumstances, surroundings,
environment has much to do with the
molding of a mans character and men
tai activity Real great men never seek
to please the masses, for they well
know the masses have net
time for deep thought, analytical
research or critical examination into the
science of government, any more than the
soldier in the ranks is fit to lead any
army or instruct a general commanding.
In this day of making every man a
sta.eman who makes political speech, is
the thrusting of greatness on some very
POOR material That Stephens, Toombs,
Hill and Brown were above the average,
no one will question, but that they were
mentally superior to many others who did
not figure so conspicuously in public life
we deny 1t was only long service that
gave them reputation, but no great ideas
thew ever gave to the people. Like mer-
chants in business, they were g. success
from close attention to business, that and
nothing more They were persistent Of
fee seekers; they pleased the people; they
were popular. But when the cold, hard
question is asked What great policies,
measures or ideas they gave the govern
ment. or people, we look in vain? Mere
sneech-nnaking amounts to nothing.
Neither Jefferson, nor Franklin nor Wash
ington were ever known for speech-mak-
ing. vet. they left the impress of their
principles and policies upon the govern
ment.
would not be understood for mo-
ment in disparaging the abilities Of our
sons but 1 do say there are men in Geor-
oia to-day their equals in every sense OF
| the word; all they want is the same ad-
| ,antages of being kept in office or posi-
ton for twenty, thirty and forty years.
Won are right Mr.. Editor in saying: 1t
,s mistake to bewail the passing of the
ereat men. They are with US to-day and
4ben they pass away, there are others
N take their place, and do as well. No
natter how great an action may be, 1t
cannot pass for great unless it is the re-
s,,It ~ a great design or plan. There must
| he forethought to make any action great.
| Accidents are not greatness.
Gov. Brown who has just passed away
nos moi faultless as a statesman, politlc-
ian or partisan; he had his merits ana de-