Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-02-26
Il PRONP MAN.

A SlSnlHcanU CnlHS associated WlUn
all great achievements is that the man
knew what he wanted to do. Great
endeavor is invariably the result of
firm decision. Dewey had a message
to deliver in Manila Bay. What do
we honor him for? not because he
attended promptly and theoretically
to the delivery of that message.
Out of all the fuss that covers the
history of the search in Southern
waters for the Spanish fleet stands
the fact that somebody vacillated.
Observe the man. If he has been
successful, how much of it is due to
the fact that he had a purpose and
went ahead to accomplish it? Con-
slider the purposeful and the purpose
less men of your acquaintance.
Which is winning and which is losing?
In business these things count.
That man who is drifting aimlessly
about, subject to the vagaries of the
passing moment, diverting his ener-
gies from the ultimate object by re-
verse currents, will never land, ex-
cept by luck. He will be drifting
when the end overtakes him.
One of the most pitiable objects in
the world is the man who forever
hangs trembling in the balance, who
never knows which way to turn, who
is always the prey of conflicting opin-
ions and the greatest pressure; who
moves along the line of the least re-
sistance, who does not feel within
himself power equal to the occasion.
''Victims of circumstances" never
amount to much, They are, as a
rule, weak characters. How fortu-
nate is the man who feels within him
self the original force and vigor which
others, who does not require crutches
or assistance, but can play the game
alone!
The man who accomplishes things,
who achieves results, must be man
of positive force, a man with a pro-
gram, who marks out his course and
goes straight to his goal. No matter
who differs from, or who opposes him,
this man turns neither to the right
nor to the left, whatever the tempta-
ton. But the negative man, the man
with no nerve, stamina or backbone,
the man who never dares to do any
thing without consulting everybody
he knows, who never ventures any
hi hr1f
tressed by their approval, never gets
anywhere, never amounts to much.
To the young man about to choose
a profession or trade this is impor
5ant. The average man rarely
chooses his work IN life with deliber-
alton, and having marked out his
course pursues it earnestly, with I'M
tagging persistence until the object
ne aimed at has been accomplished.
No. He slips, slides into the business.
which is near at hand or which prom
ses the best pay for the present. He
kinks only of the success or pleasure
If the present moment. He has no
we'll defined plans.
So in selecting associations. The |
way a man finally places himsel |
Imong acquaintancesi is characteristic
If the habit Of drifting. He rarely |
elects his society, but happens into
whatever may be handy.
In politics it is the purposeful man
Who leads all the others, and the
voters follow with the crowd.
This following with the crowd is the
worst phase of it. It is the man who
efuses to follow the crowd, who de-
iberately fixes upon line of conduct
new way to success for hi mself and
Who frequently reaps the benefits
which had only been waiting for a
master mind to claim them.