Tonopah bonanza. [volume] (Butler City [i.e. Butler], Nev.) 1901-1909, 1908-06-13

80
bers of the human race participating
as needed-so that even within our
ability and invariably seeks undue
mediocrity, which instinctively hates
share and share alike in its total
product, obviously it is the theory of
advantage. The majority of men
still lead automatic lives and con
tribute to progress only force, which,
like physical power of all kinds, can
accomplish nothing unless directed.
History proves conclusively that
the only hope of the mass is the de-
velopment of able individuals. 1t
has been said and is probably true
that any existing nation would be
atrophied by the withdrawal Of ten
thousand of it's best minds. The in
herent power of the multitude would
remain for a time, but not for long,
because disuse is the most potent
agent of decay. France today is a
nation of m~ediocrity, and is steadily
declining morally and spiritually as a
result of the expulsion of the Hugue-
nots and the great CONFUSION of the
revolution which almost exterminated
impelling mental leadership. Ger
many, on the other hand. is forging
ahead by comforting exceptional re-
wards upon individual achievement.
Our policy has differed from Ger
many's in that we have considered
the affording of full opportunity, es.
pecially through primary teaching
and even, as in this State, by com
pulsory education, as sufficient to in
cite the best endeavors OF the in
dividual. This is what we somewhat
vaguely term the American theory,
but however underlined in some re-
spects, our people thus far have adj
hered to it with admirable persistence
and we have no cause to feel ashamed
of the results.
1t is peculiarly fitting that we
should touch upon the underlying i'm.
pulse of our amazing national devel-
opment on this occasion, becau3 e
there could not be found a finer eS-
ample of the effect of opening tn
door to personal initiative than was
embodied in John w. Mackal
Brought by his parents to this coun.
try and left fatherless while yet q
I child, his sole inheritance vas thaf
blending of Scotch and Irish char
/ acteristics which has ever made fol-
success. There is no need to depic'
at length the incidents which marke
4 his early career. How, as a lad
I while his form vas still acquiring tht
sturdiness which subsequently be
came a noticeable feature, he worke'
for the pennies SO welcome to th'
widowed mother; how, meanwhile. h'
struggled doggedly to master the de
tails of a trade; how with keen fore
sight he quickly abandoned carpentr!
to study mining; how at the age o
twenty he worked his long passagi
by way of the isthmus, and, arrivin;
in California, toiled for years to earl
the pittance necessary to maintain
physical existence and to enable hin
to prosecute his practical study; how
even in that arduous labor he dem
onstrated his superiority in industr.
by obtaining higher wages than an.
other man who worked in the mine
all this personal history Ia familia
and need be referred to only to 10
dicate the completeness Of his prep
aration for the opportunity when
should come.
1t is difficult to recall the name 0
q man in whose notable success
chance played SO small @ part. N
favortng Fortuna directed his step
to the mountain OF gold and silver
no advantage whatever was his be
yond that which himself had mad
by rigid application to details, theor
etical and practical, which gave hir
the mastery OF his pursuit. But tina
sufficed. OF all the thousands VII
swarmed over the wealth-laden hills
but one was fully equipped to per
ceive and grasp the great opportunit
when 1t appeared; but one p~ossesse
the essential knowledge of craft; tn
resourcefulness to avail himself OF II
Offering; the intrepid spirit to urg
him on and on. deeper and deepe
into the promising earth, while 9th
ers were succumbing to impstienc
and despair.
Others there were who rename
~steadfast TO the end and won thei
superb rewards. but none a rife
from a perusal of the fascinating mai
} ~ratives OF that long period of ming
8 ed hope and doubt without realizin
that his was the president, the inspil