The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-05-24

A well known English writer recently
asked the question: rs it good or is 1t
bad for an ambitious man to be married? p
and in giving his views on the subject.
cited about an equal number of historical
and other cases on either side, thereby
having the jury of his readers to bring in
their own verdict. and settle the matter
to their satisfaction. Lord Kitchener s
splendid career, It is pointed out by the
opponents of marriage Is a shining illus
tration of the wisdom and soundness of
their side of the contention As a set-off
to it, the disputants on the other side
invite attention to the fact that Hamilton,
French, and many other generals who
have won almost equal renown, are in the
ranks of the blessed benedicts, and in the
inner circle of Kltcheners own friends
in war and in peace. To this the response
comes that the greatest of living English
captains has declared his preference for
unmarried as against married officers
among his subordinates when there is any
lighting to be done And so the warfare
goes in the British army. In our own
civil war all the great commanders on
either side were married men with a
single notable exception, perhaps of Sher-
idan, who did not marry until long after
the struggle came to an end. Grant,
Sherman and Mcclellan all married
young, and they had to leave the army
for the reason that their pay was made
qnate to support their families Lee, on
the southern side, would probably have
resigned early in his military career had
he not a private fortune at his command.
Here, certainly, are cases where matri-
mony in the beginning at least fettered
ambition.
To come to English civil life Disraeli
was one of the ablest and most intensely
ambitious young Englishmen of the last
century, while his career was assuredly
one of the most illustrious. But with all
his splendid ability and industry he made
little Roadway, except in literature and
fashionable society, both of which with
him were means, not ends, until he mar
ried a rich wife, who enabled him to set
tie down to the serious business of states
manship, without being constantly fol-
lowed by the sheriff's officers with I'M
welcome, unliquidated, claims against
him. The author of "Vivian Grey had
no illusions or delusions on the subject of
love and marriage, and he had the frank
ness to say so. Marriage meant to him
enroll his name In the roll Of England's
greatest statesmen. win the coronet of
a peer together with the insignia of the
most illustrious order in the gift of the
British crown. Had he not made that
fortunate matrimonial alliance 1t is doubt
full whether he would have achieved any,
thing higher In the way of office than the
governorship of some small colonial de-
tendency. Disraelrs great rival Glad
3D.. l..
his marvellous success. Her sympathy
and care were of invaluable assistance
and helped in great measure to prolong
his life. Lord Salisbury married poor, but
the poverty 1t entailed drove him to writ
ing for the high class periodicals, a mag
nihcent training for the great part he was
destined to play when the opportunity
came to him. The unmarried statesmen
of America have been few. In the early
days, John Randolph of Roanoke was
one, Alexander H. Stephens vice-p president
of the Confederacy, was another. Thad-
deus Stevens of Pennsylvania, the per-
sonihcation of radication, and President
Buchanan, his fellow townsman, were
bachelors. And then there was Samuel ].
Tilden. David B. Hill at the present time
Is the only unmarried man thought of in
connection with the presidency.
In our own public life today there are
many men who have been enabled to
reach the glittering heights because of
fortunate marriages Mr. John Hay. the
present secretary of state, is one of them.
And 1t is no injustice or reflection upon
him to say so. Before he married he held
a distinguished place In literature, politics
and journalism, and Is In no wise indebted
to anyone for his early triumphs Genius.
industry lofty ideals and high character
formed the strong ladder of his success
From young manhood up he has had an
ample income but all-sufficient as 1t was
for ordinary purposes 1t was not adequate
to the expenditure involved by the accept
ance of the portfolio of the premiership
in the Mckinley administration. That Of
flee required combination of both ability
and wealth. In the case of Mr. Hay it
was sort of Disraell story over again.
Congressman Hit of Illinois is another
man of ability, whom matrimonial good
fortune has largely borne to high place In
legislation and diplomacy The foreign
committee of the house of representatives
has never had more competent head
than 1t possesses In him. He mas brought
to 1t wide experience obtained in the en-
bassies of two great European capitals,
and in the state department in high
position, but the foundation of it all was
the notebook Of the shorthand writer
Money gave him the leisure which was es-
sential to his higher work. ] might name
another brilliant man of the same class.
whom matrmony has similarly aided and
helped to watt into the very front of the