The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-07-16
NOT A MATTER OF YEARS.

1t is astonishing to hear now and
then a remark of doubt as to the
ability of ex-senator Davis to perform
the United States, the point raised be-
ing his age.
In his case as in that of many
other of the great men of the world
the cry amounts to nothing, for he is
a man not alone mentally vigorous,
but also physically strenuous In his
case it is one of robust maturity.
Age is a comparative condition with
mankind, and the point at which e.
man must leave the firing line depends
altogether upon the life he has led,
and whether or not be has been freq
from the ailments which beset hu-
mainly. In the case of Mr.. Davis hia
eighty years have been years out UNI
der the sunshine, in the breath of
the pure air. AS farmer boy, brake
man. storekeeper, mining prospector
his young manhood gave HIN as ar
additional dividend strong hold upon
life.
young men for war. old man for
COUNSEL is an adage, trite but true.
In West Virginia the men who know
Mr.. Davis best recognize his great
mental and bodily vigor, and his
nomination for the Vice-Presidency ia
the only thing that keeps him from,
being the nominee of the Democracy
of West Virginia for the Governor
ship. If he is vigorous enough for
the rough and ready contest for Gov
ernor i'm West Virginia. and for tho
performance of the stirring and ac-
tive duties of that office. I'VE hole
it as self evident" that he is, in mlnd
and body, fit for the office OF Vice
President.
Senator Davis was a delegate-the
chairman of his delegation-to ST
Louis. He served on the Platform
committee and was member or tho
subcommittee, both of which burned
many candles. He was one of the all
night men at the convention and next
day there was more "go" and vigor
about him than many of the younger
men were able to exhibit. He is an
outdoor man always. and horseback
riding, the examination of his vast
mining and landed interests in per-
son. all tend to keen his physical man
sturdy. Of the quality of the oak.
In this matter it is interesting to
see what work for the world is be-
ing done by men whom we term old
men. 1T is not alone Bismarck the
Iron Chancellor, and Gladstone who
at SO was England's prime minister
we would discuss, but there are hun
dreds of hundreds of others whose
lives tell the same story of the more
years the better deeds.
Take Leo XIII who has only lately
passed away, and recall his vigorous
mentality at 80 years of age, and
going deep back into history remem-
her Cato who at IS was the domi-
nant figure in the Roman Senate, De-
ginning the study Of Creek in his
eightieth year.
The New York World has compiled
a list of men old IN the counting o1
years, but young in deeds, list that
will show at once that eighty years.
is not the age of disqualification foI.
service, but rather with some the bet
ter age for service. Here is the ISL
from the World, a list of men still
active and hale like Mr.. Davis:
Ex-Speaker Galusha Grow. of Penn
svlyania. so: ex-Vice-President Lew
p. Morton, 10; Senator John L. Nor
gan. of Alabama, 70; Senator George
r. Hoar. of Massachusetts,, rs; ex.
Secretary Boutwell,, S5; Senator DAVID
Wark, of Canada, 100; Senator Eo-
mund w. Pettus, Of Alabama, ~.
Senator William P. Fry. of Maine, 10
All of these men are still active all
political and business life. Other hAe''
still at the front are:
Edward Everett Hale. of Massachu-
sets. 81; still breaches and Wrltes'
his ripe, full mind showing no sigh
of decrepitude. oc :.
King Christian, of Denmark, 30, Oh,
reefs his kingdom with an IRON manu-
and the wisdom of prophet. I'a
enioys his daily walk as much as nc
r n Taller, of New York, past 80.
He not only attends to municipal ana
business affairs, but is seen at tpe
most fashionable social balls ana re-
ceptions. w. 100,
John B. Ireland. of New York, paa'
30 leaves his New York home every
morning and walks to his offce WIN
the step of a boy of twenty.
Russell Sage, New York, financler.
81 years old, alert to public questlons
of the day, keeps his grip upon inc
reins i'm Wall Street and schemes II
nancially with as much interest as ne
ever did.
Ex-Governor Alonzo Garcelon, OF
Maine. "a, still practices medicine ana
drives Is and 20 miles a day In nus
buggy to attend patients.
Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Bos-
ton. author and lecturer, 80, actlVa
and works hard ten hours day.
North Carolina is the nursery for
men at the top in many of the other
States. and out of her abundance she
keeps on furnishing recruits for other