Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-05-09
Great Men. Dead and Living

York by the enthusiasm of some un-
known hero-worshiper to honor the
memory of limited number of emf
nent Americans; aud quoted the New
York Times TO the effect that. of all
the great American dead. hardly
more than two would be placed, bv
the unanimous approval of their liv-
ing countrymeD, among the immor-
tails. This saying suggests a melan-
choly reflection or two-leadiug, of
course, to an interrogation point, for
be whose reflections do not end in an
interrogation point is wiser than Sol
ONION. If the American people are
as individuals too narrow-too bigot-
ed-too partisan-too sectioual-too
carping-tO recognize with generous
unanlmity 1.-The great who made old
days immortal" what hope is there
that they Will encourage or even per
NIT men to grow great in the present
or the future. 1t has been said that
the prevalence of consciousness
makes an atmosphere unfaverable to
the development of great men. Ger
talnly the captiOus or the partisan
criticism that is now not uncommon
might discourage men of independent
thought and capacity for growth
from taking any part in public 4ffairs
might wholly check their develop.
ment.
The Times may be wrong. At the
distance of a century We ought to be
able to do Justice to the Revolution
airy group-the men of broad know
ledge and practical wisdom and al
most prophetic foresight who led 10
achieving the independence Of the
nation and IN making It's Constitution
and establishing its government on
such lines as to "preeerve for them
selves and posterity the blessings Of
liberty" Certainly there will be
none 10 dissent or raise doubt when
the most eminent of these are crown
ed And up to the middle of the
present century some rise up promi-
nently here and there, who perhaps
mark ePochs in the history of the
country, and whose fame is estab.
llshed. Even the bitterness Of the
Civil War has so far passed away. we
think, that certain Of the greatest. Of
either side, soldiers and statesmen.
may be admitted, without objection
TO the company Of national heroes.
In literature, too, it would seem there
are few names, recognized and ad-
mlred beyond the sea as we'll as at
home, which would be inscribed bv
general consent in the tempt of fan
though the criticisms applied to
these will be far more acute and
searching.
But while those who, in the twen-
tIeth century or later, may search the
history of our time find some who are
worthy Of room among the most hon
orable: That the time demands them
Is sure. The gravity of present is
sues requires that only the most can
able, conscientious and courageous
shall be trusted in public affairs
Yet the people are less exacting; they
do not always prefer sounduess of
principle and singleness of purpose to
more alluring and less substantial
qualities; ambitious politicians, capa-
BILE of better things, accept the lower
standard unconsciously adopted; and
men OF character and courage some
times give place to demagogues.
After eminent men of past and
present have been honored, the fact
will remain that many others not in
terlor In mind and character have
lived IN obscurity; and another fact,
less often noted, that some of the
strongest men have expended all their
strength IN putting on the brakes
have exerted intellect and influence |
IN counteracting dangerous tenden
cies, and have not won distinction or
applause. The world owes a debt TO /!
those who are called often contemp
tuously obstructionists that will |
never be paid In fame -Charlestown
Free Press.
j Q. Hood Instice nf L. D.. O.,