The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-06

nouncement that propose to submit OF
this occasion some simple reflection:
concerning the self made man. There
has been so much said of him at random
and he has been so often presented as
an altogether wonderful being that il il
not strange if there exists in some quar-.
tiers an entire misrepresentation of the
manner OF his creation and an exagger-
ated idea of his nature and mission A
romantic and sentimental glamour has
enveloped him, magnifying his proper
tions and causing him TO appear much
larger and IN every way greater than
other men, and the notion seems 10 be
current that his size and greatness are
the direct results of the frowns of for
tune which deprived him of educational
advantages and doomed him TO travel
to success by road rugged with obsta.
Giles and difficulties OF course in this
view success Is a necessary factor i'll the
existence of this self made man. for un-
less he accompllshes something not al
together commonplace and usual he is
deemed unworthy of the name Indeed
1t ought not TO surprise US TO find that
success alone If reached after a fierce
struggle with difficulties and disadvan-
tages, should lead by familiarity and
easy association TO "a sort of hazy con.
ception that these difficulties and dis
advantages were not merely incidents
but positive aids TO such success.
4 desire here 10 explicitly and en-
phatically express my respect and adj
miration for those who have won hon
orable success IN spite of discouraging
surroundings and who have made them
selves great and useful in their day and
generation through the sheer force of
indomitable will and courage Nothing
can be more noble and heroic than their
struggles, and nothing can be more in
spring and valuable than their exam
pie and achievements, and whatever
may be their measure of success their
Willingness TO undergo hardships to
win 1t demonstrates that they have in
their nature the fiber and lasting quail
ties that make strong men
But while we thus pay deserved
tribute TO true manliness we by no
means admit the fanciful notion that
the difficulties that stood in the way of
these self made men were essential 10
their success. They were obstacles
which they overcame and thus won
distii ction and honor Thousands of
others have been discouraged by these
same obstacles and found an appropri-
ate place among billiards and drones. Ii
Is true that many eager men have laid
the foundations of future usefulness
and greatness In study between the
hours OF their labor for bread and by
the light Of a pine knot or open fire.
place, but many others have spent the
same time not more profitably than in |
careless, sleepy incidence and have by |
the same light undermined their men
tai and moral health with vile books
and companionship and i'll learning the |
first lessons in vice
We have all seen handsome and quite |
carved articles or trinkets |
which were made entirely with peck
etknlfe AS curiosities they challenge |
our interest because CT the ingenuity |
OF their construction with such a sim |
pie tool but we do not regard them as |
more useful for that reason, nor do we |
Tor a moment suppose that the pocket
knife was essential TO their construc-
ton or that their beauty or merit would |
nave been diminished by the use OF |
more effective and suitable tools.
1t Is we'll TO remember, too, in con-
those who succeed, notwith.
difficulties. that not all sue
cesses, even though so gained. are of
that useful and elevating kind that
should excite our admiration The |
churlish curmudgeon who by sharp
practices and avaricious dealing has
fortune should not be per-
mltted to caJole US by boasting of his
early privations and sordid self denial.
we are at liberty to resent in any case
he attempt TO cover a multitude of sins
with the cloak of the self made man
Dy playing upon our regard for the
worth and labor that conquer useful
md honorable career, nor should the
political hack be allowed to
distract attention from a damaged char |
'cter by parading his humble origin,
lis lack Of early advantages and the
OF his boyhood as independent
md sufficient proofs that he is entitled
o our suffrage
The truth is the merit of the success
al man who has struggled with diff
'ulties and disadvantages must be
judged by the kind of success he has
by the use he makes of it
md by its effect upon his character and
life. IL his success is clean and whole. /
ome, il he uses it to make his fellows
'etter and happier and if he faithfully
esponds to all the obligations of lib.
raj, public spirited and useful citizen,
lis struggles should add immensely to
he honor anG consideration he deserves.
Ii. on the other hand, his success is
Il the crashing, sordid kind, if he
clutches it closely for his selfish graft.
ication and II with success he is bank.
upt In character, sordidly mean, use
ess as citizen or of evil influence in
lis relations with his fellow men, his
iruggres should not save him from con-
empt Those included in either Of these
lasses may in tie ordinary acceptation
farraa6 Golf ,nada ,,,av b,,t - o,;.o Il