The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-05

have the principles he advocates trf- umph. His frequent refusal of high office and his rigid adherence to his belief in the right at the imminent risk of overwhelming personal loss effectually negatives all charges to the contrary and forces a magnanimous be- lief in his sincerity.
 Mir. Watterson entertains the pro- foundest respect for religion. but he also has an intimate Knowledge of the weakness of human nature. He himself clings to and earnestly strives to instil into the minds and hearts of all who come under his influence a be- main principles-virtue and truth and all that their possession implies. He does not regard himself, nor should he be regarded by liberal minds. as out of line if he happens to differ with acknowledged devout ones as to the most practical and feasible means of bringing all into desired conformity. He thinks life has It's charms, and that broad-sp.rited. cheerful life Is by no means inconsistent with one of upright ness and strictest honor in all deal- ings. He will. indeed, be a discoverer who lays bare any evideuce of crook edness in his personal or public life. True. he may, on fit occasion, take wine. but that he has the habit of
 
 State, as newspaper paragraphers are given to alleging, his robust health and present remarkable vigor of mind and very unusual bodily activity dis tlnctly disprove. No one who beholds him can, for moment. give credence to any contrary statement. It is im- possible for an appreciative person to spend an hour with him without feel ing a distinct gan in intellectual pleas ure or serious profit of some kind.
 His life so far covers the most inter esting period of the nations history. He has, as stated, known personally nearly every public character, particu- lariy those who have impressed them selves. in their times His acquaint- ances and friends have not been con fined to statesmen, politicians and edi- tors. There has. in fact. been no au- thor of distinction, no scientist of prominence. no artist of merit no &C., tor of note no musician of genius on our country's stage within the period named with whom he has not convers- ed on congeniai subjects of moment and interest. With many of these he has maintained friendly. with others Intimate, relations. He gave in the friendly exchange as much as he re- ce:ved.
 Conversation on such topics between those able to give. as well as receive, lnIOTIudIlOn auu luhtTuCtIOHf WucH Ac- ported in the.actual words used, pos sesses to a reader so much, more of i'm terest than the ordinary writing that biography in this form is of all reading the most entertaining. For this. among oth CT reasons. we are accustomed to praise Boswell's life of Johnson as the model. We are also prone to some what exaggerate the virtues of those of past ages, sometimes to the detri- ment of those of eminent merit among us. Each age should appreciate what 1t has and preserve it sn some form for those of the succeeding. With this feeling I have often regretted that some Boswell could not have been by on tn csc occasions and recorded for us in a true and lively way what was said. The period covered. the mani fold matters of extreme interest dis cussed by masters in .he art, the ac- curate views expressed. would have given us not only readable book but a very entertaining brief chronicle of our times"