The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-08-14
MAKE CHARACTER CAPITAL,
HONESTY HAD NO SUBSTITUTE

DIR. Madison c. Peters in Boston
Courier: The brightest jewel in the
crown Of manhood is spotless charact-
er. 1t flashes and scintillates with such
iridescent beauty that all are attracted
by Its beams.
The story of its glow rurrounds its
possessor with such nimbus of light
that he stands out in bold relief against
the background Of all surroundings.
Nothing can mar or obscure his iden-
tity as long as he keeps this bright
gem Of stainless reputation on his dia-
dem. The world may frown, fortune
may turn her back, detraction and
calumny hurl their barbs and arrows
with deadly precision. yet will the man
of true character remain unscathed by
the attacks OF all enemies.
Conscious in the rectitude of q good
conscience, he can stand up before all
and defy the most powerful Of foes.
The man with a clean record Is always
morally and intellectually strong to
overcome all the obstacles and Difficult
ties the world may place in his way.
Such a record arms him with a two
edged sword that will clear way for
him in any direction. He can hew a
path for himself anywhere and under
all circumstances.
Our great men knew the invaluable
ness of character. They cherished it as
the finest of all possessions, realizing
that 1t was the best form Of riches, Tar
above the dross of silver and gold.
Lincoln the Great Ideal.
No man stands out in clearer purer
light against the background Of Ameri-
can history than Abraham Lincoln. No
one ever priced character more highly
than he, not even washington of stain
less memory. Lincoln never trified with
reputation, never gambled with his
good name; but on the contrary, con-
served and preserved 1t with Jealous
care, never for a moment forgetting his
responsibility to his fellow men and AL
ways considerate of the future and OF
the effect his actions would have on Uhe
time to come. The result is that Lin
coin has been crowned on the pedestal
of a nations admiration and love, and
Americans point to him as the example
for all that is really great and good In
human character.
From the first Lincoln made UP his
mind to be somebody and well he knew
that reputation was the foundation on
which he must build the edflce of sue
cess.
If you want to be somebody. dc
something in the world which will
benefit yourself and your fellows, lay
the foundation of character strong and
solid to resist the temptations and
trials the world will put In your way
in your onward march through life
Nail your colors to the mast Of integ-
rity and defend them with the ammu-
milton OF right thinking and well doing
Manhood the First Requisite.
In all professions we flnd men fail
ures, yet not through lack of ability
but through lack OF manhood and
character to sustain them. II you would
be success in any profession you
must consider manhood before the pro-
fession II you're not a good man first
you will never be good lawyer, q good
doctor. or a good preacher.
Back OF all service, in no matter wha'
field of endeavor your lot may be cast
1t is manhood that tells and on which
you must depend to make your life
really serviceaIble to yourself and
others.
Cleverness is a mighty fine quality