Mexico weekly ledger., 1900-06-21
WIN fouR OWN CROWN.
Prize Essay Delivered by Miss stella
Lavsrns snidcw, Of Mexico, at the
Junior Essay Contest, D&ught-
ers College, Fulton, Mo.

~ 80
ers College in Fulton on Wednesday
evening, May so, by Miss Stella Sni-
dow, daughter OF County Clerk Mrs.
Clara snidow, of this city. The essay
is well worth q careful perusal, a. 1t
10 the production OF one Of Andrsin's
brightest young students;
THE PRIZE ESSAY.
When pilgrim fathers Ian ded on
the bleak and wintry shore Of uncivil-
lied America, theiE first energies were
directed toward securing the bare me-
cessitieB for the sustenance Of physi-
cal life. When, after q hard fought
battle with poverty, sickness and
death, they succeeded, their second
anxiety IVES for that which should
preserve the spiritual and intellectual
life, and the result-the modest little
school Housewives the very stepping
stone to the success of our nation.
10 vas the resuIt OF . demand made
by the inner self. Man in his three
fold nature-physicaI, mental, moral
needs to be well equipped for lfe's
rugged journey, and the time for be.
ginning is in childhood. The little
log huts daubed with mud and clay,
where Huch men a. jackson and Lin.
coin were educated, wer the garden
spots, where the seeds Of their ann
billion were planted; the efforts OF
their instructors were mot In vain,
when they impressed upon their
minds, atake care Of the minutes and
the hours will take care OF them
selves.n
To-day in the school room where
we weave the golden web that binds
our future lives, how many threads
could be made IS strong ~ cords of
wire, IL elevating conversation and
diligent work engaged our faculties.
We must train our better natures, the
upbuilding power within us, and the
spirit Of opposition should only raise
us to a higher level-as the adverse
wind lifts the kite; this will give that
strength Of character which enables
US to turn influence into opportuni-
ties. It is a duty incumbent upon each
member Of society to occupy his
time, improve HE mind and heart, by
exercising his power for the possess
ion Of culture, health, genius, SYM
pathy, and the good works thatfollow
them. In this cultivation, exercise
and Improvement lies the mandate.
"Act well your part; there all the
honor Iies.n
In laying the foundation for life,s
structure, the greatest care should be
taken in the selection Of q corner
stone, else, like 5olomon's temple,
when the building grows toward COM
pletion 10 will be found to lack the
one thing needful.
Truth is the great corner stone Of
perfect building; on this the stones Of
honor, virtue and knowledge rest in
security; jealousy, deceit and vanity
must be cast out. Plain duty lie to be
true to the right; be Just, BIO noble, be
forgiving, and IL by the ill-conduct Of
others hope seems lost, we can win q
blessing twice gloriied, for "truth
crushed to earth viii rise again." No
one can pull rs down II we are pulling
up with all eaFnestness, nor can one
throw q shadow over nj II we but
carry . lamp. Our lamps will de-
clare TO the world our Inward selves,
and consequently only those who
have noble aims and principles a
afford to carry them. Inward strength,
when itactuates us to noble principles,
should be powerful enough to COM
bat successfully any evil influence
directed against good, unless we,
through temporary weakness or
negligence, become towards and be-
cause of faint h~eartedness give up
the Hght. How many In this adj
vanced age, with rs triumphs in art
and science, with lie master minds
and eloquence, with ever unspeakable
advantage, will in the great future,
be able to say, "I have done my best"
In the daily round OF duties we find
many p~erplexing trials; but, like the
spider that tried twenty times to as
cend the wall, and was ct last uccess-
ful, we can, by perseverance,, reach
the Olympian heights and claim
fellowship with the gods.
II is not the one who has the best
advantages, but the one who over
comes the difficulties, and with pluck,
grit and energy, masters all that
comes In his reach; IL 10 he who 10
master of himself, having complete
control over his rational and volition-
al faculties, and is consequently
capable of directing bis actions in any
channel he wills. Man can regulate
his destiny to the extent that he
regulates himself. he must work out
his own way and be victor-not by his
clothes MOI general appearances, not
because he lie a leader OF society, but
because he 10 layinga grand founda-
ton on which he ~ build q structure
that win last through life and
through eternity. Though the whole
world laugh in scorn and derision and
throw the bitter taunts In his face
about his clothes and looks, and maybe
point to their wi shallow heads, In
r~idiculing him, ii he be right he will
stand firm. It is often the man with
the hickory shirt and homespun that
has mad = record inspected on the
paRes Of the worlds great history.
There has lately arisen on the poiit-
icaI horizon . star Of the FIRST magni-
tude. The world has been attracted
BY It's brilIIance and the steady light
Of its shining. Men have inquired
among themselves, "where did ii come
from, and by what power did Il attain
to this eminence?"
Albert J. Beverage was once . day
Iaborer on q western farm. He toiled
increasingly, and in the face OF am
culties gained an e~dncaticn; struggled
and by strength Of personality won
The responsible position he holds to-
day proclaims TO the world that worth
is the conquering power.
How shall We winf Just a. our an
cestors; undiscouraged, We must sur
anEn--n- ffanaaAnu IL