Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-11-06
THE GREATEST DOZEN.
w. e. Curtis Names Twelve Men Who
Lead in Human History.


cult to answer an inquiry have re-
ceived from Catherine Bryne Of Engle-
wood, who asks me to name the twelve
most eminent men in human history,
not including those mentioned in the
Bible; and she asks particularly how
many Americans should be included
in that number. On such a question
there would be a wide difference of
influence and mental and moral stat
ure by different rules Of measurement,
and probably If this inquiry were sub
mitted to a hundred judges few Of
names that should be included in the
list. In my opinion, the only way to
determine a mans greatness Is by
measuring the influence he has exerted
upon the affairs Of mankind; and In
selecting the twelve men who have
been most conspicuous in that direc-
tion we must first include the found
ers Of the great religions, who during
the present day guide and control the
conduct Of hundreds Of millions Of the
worlds inhabitants.
/. I would rank first Of the twelve
Buddha, man Of human origin, who
was born in a little village In the Him
alaya mountains in the year $50 B. c.,
and died in 472 B. G.. He taught sim
pie and sublime faith, which has been
accepted by a larger number Of people
than any other. And 1t Is the highest
source Of qualification to the Buddhist
believers that no drop of blood was
ever shed in the propaganda The ad-
herents Of the Buddhist faith today
number about 4OO,OOO,OOO. The foun-
dation Of the religion preached by
Buddha Is defined as the four noble
truths-love Of mankind, holy calm,
the suppression Of desire and the pro-
lection Of life. True Buddhists will
never kill an animal or even an in
sect.
2. Next in influence perhaps and
with almost as many followers as Bud
dha is Confucius, a Chinese philoso-
pher, who lived from $50 to 47S B. c..
He Taught no religion but was great
moralist, and his maxims are the foun-
dation Of Chinese morals, laws, JUS
tice and system Of government. With
the great majority Of the Chinese edu-
cation Is limited to the study Of his
maxims.
8. Mohamet, the camel driver (57O-
632 A. d., the founder Of the Moslem
religion and the author Of the Koran,
has probably exercised as much inf1u-
ence as any man who ever lived ex-
cept Buddha and Confucius. although
he was illiterate and his teachings are
mostly plagiarisms from the Old Tes-
lament. The followers Of Mohamet
today numbers not less than 100000
900, and the adherents Of no religion
are more sincere, devoted and scrupu-
lous in practicing the principles Of
their faith.
4. Perhaps Constantine the Great
(272-337 A. d., the Roman emperor
who first accepted and recognized the
Christian religion, should be numbered
next for he was the founder Of both
the Greek and Roman Catholic
churches. During his reign and
through his influence Christianity was
substituted for paganism in the civil
lied nations Of the earth.
5. Martin Luther Q4S3-1546), the
founder Of the Protestant faith, think
should come next, and after him.
6. Charlemange (7S2-S1D, who may
be termed the founder Of modern CIV
ilization, for during his reign began
the movements which developed the
present conditions Of society and gov
ernment.
Z. Alfred the Great Of England
(S71-901), should perhaps be ranked
before Charlemagne, but Is placed af-
ter him, because he lived hundred
years later. He was the founder Of
law courts, trial by jury and first over
threw the doctrine that might makes
right" which had prevailed among hui
man beings up to his reign. He was
the first to establish in a practical
manner the principle that reason
should be more respected than force.
Alfred the Great was also the founder
Of the modern system Of education.
8. George Washington Q732-17S9),
naturally comes next as the founder
OF civil liberty.
We have four places to dispose Of
and I should assign them to:
9. Napoleon Bonaparte Q769-1SgD,
the greatest Of soldiers.
10. Michael Angelo 1475-1564), the
greatest of architects. artists and
sculptors.
II. William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
the greatest of writer's.
-. Plato (427-347 B. c., the found
er Of philosophy and ethics.
Unfortunately for Christopher Co.
lumbus, there Is no room for him In
this list and although he has probably
exercised as much influence upon the
destiny of mankind during the last
four hundred years as any of those
named, it was the result Of an acci-
dent and not the achievement Of
purpose. Columbus did not sail west
ward in search of a new world. He
never dreamed Of such a discovery.
His theory was entirely contrary to
actual geography. When he sailed
from Palos it was in search Of pas
sage to India and without the slight
est expectation Of finding a new conti-