The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-10-10


divldual, seemingly, has transcribed
the commonplace and confines his op-
erations to snpernai plane. Possessed
of no incOnsiderabie acumen, incisive
to the point of cynicism, with qualities
of perception which leap instantly to
appreciation and ignore the means,
such persons ipso facto are given to
dealing in generalities. Detail, fonnda- &
ton, homespun, ryebread regulation
are not only distasteful but largely Inn
possible. Completely wrapped in the
brilliancy of their conceptions, luredby
the green vapors which environ q
phantasmagoria of fancy they grope
about in ethereal splendor, with good
intenti0ns-remember-bnt with de-
plorable results, and then speculate
during lucid intervals as to why an un-
grateful multitude, which they have
striven so increasingly, so devoutly to
chasten and benefit, refuse absolutely,
to cast even the crumbs of response into
starving mouth.
They have builded their castles on
treacherOus sands. The want of proper
foundation for their superstructures
excited no alarm. created no interest.
An heated imagination has been al
lowed to run riot in pursuit of fantas-
tic ideals and that Imagination, ever
prompting, said, scorn the foothills, but
scale the heights, and failing, again
and again essay the arduous feat.
They have attempted to deal in the fin-.
ished product without acquaintance
with the fundamental rule governing
it's manipulation.
What | would have you understand
is that polish--embellisbme eIabO-
ration, are all of them desirable butnot
essential. Success in exh0rfative, in
structive or amusing intellectual en-
deavor accompanies only thorough
understanding and earnest. sincere and
lucid demonstration. It is not enough
that enc should master the art Of a0ur-
ish. Your divine orator, your reader
who is successful understands his an-
dience. He knows the veriest details
Of their common lives. He is acquainted
with their simplest, plainest wants and
in that knowledge he administers and
thereby not only effects the satisfaction
of desired need, but simultaneously
creates demand and respect for his
abilities. How different these conse-
quences from the bOmbastic glamour
of your silly idealist. The grandeur of
his effort is highest in retrospections
merely, when the author ie alone, then
the true Significance of his utterance
assumes lofty plane. He marvels ct
his accomplishment and tingles in
gratified pride, while the target Of his
epic roll on in existence with disgust.
The author may have received some
benefit. He may have acquired some
additional information, but he has en-
tirely lost sight of the object OF this
improvement. He has not learned the
first lesson, and the longer he drifts the
more difficult the task that such acquire
ments are-valuable only insofar as they
determine his value in the society In
which he exists. These higher attri-
butes, must he employed to perfume
and intoxicate the atmosphere of COM
psnionship with his society, and that
companiOnship must necessarily have
been generated from mutual response
to the needs of both.
IL then we would be successful, we
must first of all be sincere. We must
determine after mature deIiberation
the course which we may follow with
the best results. The choice may be
i extremely difficult. A trial or two may
possibly be necessary, but let the trial
be rigidly original. 1t may not be suc-
cessful, but so much the better, for it
will have determined our liabilities
along the given line; it will have saved
that vocation from bore and will
possibly have contributed to the proper
calling valuable addition.
The course having been determined,
persistent, assiduous and conscientious
effort lead most surely tn ultimate re-
alization. Farcial. superficial endeavor
will be disappointing in consequences,
for as life is real so must it's object be
real. From the time the mother triIls
her lullaby to the distant hour when
mute lips are closed in death, we must
remember that this life. we are living ID
, the reality with US. The ardent emo
tions which vibrate in true youth; the
puerile standards which to youthful
fancy seem irresistible soon weaken
and decay. To paraphrase the words
of VIM. Wordsworth:
"a simple child
That lightly draws It's breath
II And feels It's life in every limb,
What should It know Of deash7.
: Thes task remains to manhood e
draft the substantial plans of 0uc6uo6
8 CIR H.