The age-herald., 1902-04-07
Deeds of Heroism..
BY ALFRED CECIL.

All the world loves lover, the saying is, and I may say all the world admires the hero. But, unfortunately many a heroic deed goes unheralded in these days. Hohson's grand exploit in Santiago Har- bor was done in the full glare of the lights of war All the world paused at it's null titudinous tasks to watch the coming struggle for supremacy between the fleet of the old world and that of the young republic. Before the flash of the guns and their mighty roar was the moment of suspense. Nations held their breaths At this moment gallant young Hobson stepped forward to do his deed-a deed to be passed into history. Almost under like conditions gallant Cummings placed his torpedo against the Alabama and per-
 shing won immortal fame, and Farragut dashed to the Hartford's mast, defied the storm of shot and shell.
 But all heroes cannot have the scenery of war to afford them background; and our everyday commonplace history dem onstrates that the stuff from which heroes are moulded is abundant in our land But why should men who, in the ordl- nary discharge of their duties perform deeds not one whit less heroic than those done by Hobson, Cummings and Farra- gut, be so quickly forgotten? No monu- | ment of stone, no plate of brass, no men tion in prominent records, bears witness | to their greatness. And they are great because they do great deeds, greater per haps than the military and naval heroes, who perform their parts to the music of | artillery.
 | Along the storm beaten shores of the tempestuous Atlantic, the life guards have done a noble work this winter. Only a few days ago off the coast of Massa- chusetts a life boat overturned between the ship. breaking in the sea that was running mountains high, and on the beach were anxious mothers and wives peering into the darkness. Not one life was saved. They perished seeking to save others How does government re- ward their families or preserve their names for the encouragement of heroism in others Again off the same coast, at another place, a life-saving crew, from early morning until late In the afternoon. | struggled to reach the iil-fated steamer
 Indiana. Finally they succeede and res | cued from certain death the crew and passengers.
 But if the fishermen the seacoast l show the metal of heroes they possess no monopoly Scarcely year passes in
 any large city but there is an exhibition
 of daring done by firemen that equals the deed of Hobson. He faced water, they | faced fire. Neither element is to be de- | spised. The fireman in pursuit of his call | ing faces danger to life and limb with a | stout heart; but, at times, in his work of | rescue he performs acts so brave, so
 noble that they may be said to transcend
 duty. Then his act is no longer performed | as matter of duty. but as a deed dared by hero. Such men are worthy of pub. | lie recognition and of lasting apprecia-
 tien. If in public squares monuments are | to be erected to the brave men who risked
 their lives for the nation, then in suitable | places should monuments or enduring l plates be placed to commemorate the | deed and the man who risked his life for | the community A brave mans act is, | perhaps. his best monument, but the | State, the county and the municipality | should cherish the act as an example
 to all it's citizens. They cannot afford
 not to be appreciative and If appreoia- tive, generous.