The Washington herald., 1909-06-27
PRIZE WINNERS.
By THE oPTINIIsT.


which are peculiar to himself To meas
ure him by his own standard is the only
possible way Of getting at his real worth.
II you have a Kaleidoscope disposition
and change at every passing influence.
there is no chance for the development
sn6 the expansion OF your own indvidu-
ality. Upon the other hand, If you crawl
into your shell and persistently ignore
what is going on about you. you cheat
yourself out Of your right to take your
place IN the world Of men. Every one has
been given an individuality OF makeup
and an opportunity for building up an in
dividualty OF character. Each one Of Us
has some special trait OF character or
disposition whereby we may fashion our
lives so that we can stand forth clear and
distinct and impress our personalities on
the world.
But how many Of us take advantage OF
this ability? How many OF us are quite
content to follow the erowd'-to sub
serve all the conventions. TO adopt other
mems thoughts for our own. and be gov
erned bv other mems acts? OF course,
il is not for every man TO be a leader
The ability every man possesses for great
ness must be either in a greater or a
lesser degree than his neighbOr. Every
man cannot be a lawma6er. He must
abide by the laws and rules laid down for
him by the wisdom OF men who have
toiled up 10 positions OF respOnsibilityEbe-
cause of their high qualifications.
The kind of independence that resents
the restrictions Of law and order cannot
benefit the individual or the community
That soon develops into lawlessness and
disorder. We all have certain lessons OF
obedience and compliance 20 learn. and
many Of us begin very early 10 acquire
them In learning them we must also get
used 10 the idea Of their usefulness and
their necessity for the worlds progress
While individuality is respected every
where as the epitome Of everything that
Is good and worthy. still we should never
in any sense stand aloof from our fel-
lows or endeavOr TO create the impression
that we are different from them and made
OF much superior metal. Independence of
thought and action, individuality Of char
acter must carry with them a hearty ap-
probation for the rights OF others and
when man sets about 10 stamp his per-
sonality on the world he had first better
be certain that his views are needed and
win prove Of benefit. He should never be
Independent 70 the point OF being put
down as a crank Eccentricity is toll
Grated in a genius but geniUses are peo-
pie not met every day; instead we find
many who imagine themselves 10 be such.
but who are in reality only bores.
Independence should mean something
not only 10 those who practice It. but 70
those whom II reaches. When the patriotic
signers OF the Declaration Of Independ-
ence unfurled the banner Of liberty TO the
eyes OF the whole world. the American
colonies did not alone benefit Englands
eyes were opened 10 the necessity for
different treatment of her people beyond
the seas. and began that policy which
has since resulted in no more losses Of
possessions. It was a lesson she badly
needed, ard the idea Of liberty spread TO
other lands and other peoples. and its
benefits have proved incalculable
Unless personal independence stands for
something that is good and beneficial It
would be better far 10 cease to Try 10 be
Independent. II you want 20 pull a diff
ferent way. be sure your way is the right
one; otherwise your followers. II YOU have
any. viii only have 20 turn back over the
same road by which you led them
Much time IS lost by the consideration
and applications Of theories projected by
those who wish to leave their imprint on
the times; so much so. in fact that the
world IS becoming very doubtfully in
clIned toward the adoption Of new ideas
unless there IS positive proof that mate
rial and lasting benefits viii result
The man who prides himself on his in
dependence OF speech or thought must be
very careful lest he wound or injure those
about him. II once he proves himself TO
be possessed Of a powerful personality
and a strong influence for the good. his
friends Will be numerous. and there viii
be many who viii await breathlessly for
his utterances. See what Hamlet says
when he turns to his beloved friend Hora-
hru AL - r,f
account Of his noble attributes:
Blest are those
Whose blood and Judgment are so wen conminglsd
That they not ripe for Fortunes finger
To sound what stop she pleases. Give ne that man
That is not passions slave. and 7 VIII wear him
In ny hearts cure. aye IN my heart Of hearts.
As do thee
tons Learn 10 single out OF life that
which IS best and truest and those, COM
bined with the honest and earnest
thought and inclinations Of your own
being, Will stamp you as independent.
You viii then stand for yourself as an in
dividual and az the same time be regard
ed as help and a bulwark to your COM
munity
Independence Of character lifts one out
or the common rut and places him where
he is able TO do much good for his fellow
Through life rendering. for the benefit of
others. the best and the noblest thoughts
and actions Of which he is capable will
DO well 70 cultivate independence in its
various aspects Let your optimism and
your independence go hand In hand. bear
ing with them a profound conviction Of
what is good and what is true Then Won
will truly know what IL means 70 wear
the clubs motto. Let's help" for in no
better way can you help the cause OF op-
timism than by a fearless and indepen-
dent stand taken for their right
Don't forget that the topic to be dis
cussed next week is Gratitude The
numerous suggestions have received
asking for this subject show me that
many OF you have been waiting for this
chance Gratitude" ought 10 call forth a
great many beautiful and helpfuIthoug
Every subject that we have written Of is
like a beacon light 10 brighten our opti-
mistic pathway and to show us lust
wherein lie the truest and the best means
OF attaining a thoroughly cheerful view
point.
In accordance with the announcement
made on Wednesday We viii begin to-
morrow 10 print the contributions on
Gratitude" and during the rest OF the
summer there will be a daily optimist de-
partment In The Washington Herald. with
perhaps half a dozen or more contrfou- (
tions from the members of the Optimist
Club printed every day. Selections vhIch3
appear on week days will be eligible for
the Sunday prize
am awarding the first prize 10 Louis |
Weinberger. 9OS New York avenue, for I
this contribution:
Not 70 the blare Of trumpet.
Not to the sound OF fife
But who 20 conscience harkens.