The gold leaf., 1909-07-01
The Commercial Spirit.
False Teaching that is Hurtful
to the Real Manhood of the
Countrywide Chief Object
of Human Life is Not to
Make Money-Some Things
of Higher Value---The Fine
Example Set by General
Robert E. Lee.
Farmville (Va) Herald.


1t has been our privilege to listen
to most excellent speeches OF late,
and among the best was one from
college professor. He startled US,
however, when he took occasion to
say that when Mr.. Root gave up his
law practice in New York to become
Secretary of State, at salary OF
$4,000, a year. he made a sacrifice
like that of a soldier who leaves home
for the battlefield. Unless the COM
mercial spirit of the age has siezed
upon Mr.. Root and taken entire pos
session of him, we can not under
stand that he would say that he made
any sacrifice, even If he had to aban-
don the dollar-making business for a
season, to accept one OF the highest
earthly honors known to men.
1t will be a sad day in the history OF
the aforesaid professor who delivered
that fine address, if he reaches the
point of impressing those who come
under his influence as teacher with
the thought that the chief object OF
human life is to make money.
In refreshing contrast to this are
the words of another eminent teacher,
who said, eve teachers must get our
reward in something better than
money; in the dignity and prestige
belonging to the position, in research,
in the pursuit OF high ideals, in the
discovery of God-given talent, and in
stimulating. helping mOlding this, i'll
the homage that comes, after awhile,
from ones disciples.
And what shall we say of the i'm
mortal commader, and afterwards
the immortal teacher, Gen. Lee, who
accepted the presidency of Washing
ton College at q salary OF $1, 800
a year, and when Gen. Ewell gave
$500 to the College on condition that
it be added to Gen. Lees salary, the
latter declined to accept it, and in IL
letter to Gen EwelI said, 81 already
receive from the College a larger
amount than my poor services are
WORTH" He was offered 500, 900
salary to become the head of a New
York firm but declined that too, and
wrote, 81 am grateful, but | have
self-imposed task which | must ac-
complish | have led the young men
of the South in battle, | have seen
many of them die on the field, | shall
devote my remaining energies to
training young men to do their duty
in life"
And he was offered the presidency
of the Southern Insurance Company,
with all annual salary OF $4,000
coupled with the suggestion that he
need not resign from the College, as
all the company wanted was the use
of his name. To this, the grand man
replied, 81 am sorry, sir, that you are
so little acquainted with me as to
suppose that my name is for sale at
any price
And then when the Board of Trus-
tees of the College, during the sbsence
of Gen. Lee, decided the presidents
home to him with an annuity of 3d.
800, he again declined, saying, 81
am unwilling that my family should |
become a tax to the College, but de-
sire that all it's funds be devoted to |
the purpose of education.'
Let the professors in our institu-
tions study the life of this immortal
man, and they will learn that "duty'
and not dollar, is the "sublimest |
word in the English language.
Mr.. Root made no sacrifice in ac- |
cepting the next highest honor in the |
gift of the American people.