The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-02-25
DIFFERENCES OF CAPACITY.

It is often said, and with truth, that
much as we may desire greater equahty
among men, we can never ignore or sweep
away natural differences of capacity NO
effort, ever so painstaking, can put the
slow, heavy and dull boy on an intellectual
level with the keen and bright one; no
vision of future equality can ever hope to
abolish distinctions between the highly
gifted man who rises easily to greatness IN
his appointed sphere and the one who,
weak in mind and infirm of purpose, fails
to make any mark in the world. Yet,
while these distinctions can never be OBJ
liberated, they may be somewhat softened
and diminished by bringing out and de-
veloping certain class of capacities and
qualities which belong to the many, with
out doing any injustice to those which be-
long pre- eminetly to the few. While we
need not detract from the honor and en-
enlargement which is naturally and rightly
accorded to genius or superior talent, we
may with great advantage give more to
that native good sense which is able to
appreciate, to use and to enjoy them. In
stead of centering all our hopes and ad-
miration upon great men who do not need
them. we should do the world far more
good by helping men to understand and to
profit by the greatness which they cannot
themselves achieve.
In this way only can extraordinary
powers of any kind fulfill their mission
and WELD the influence which they hold in
trust for mankind. AS it is, much of their
significance is lost and their force dissipat'
ed, because so few know how thoroughly
to receive their benefits and incorporate
them into their own lives and characters
In the sphere of literature, for example
great authors, who have written works tina
will never die, are few in number; few in
deed, are required; but what is needed, il
that the many may know how to read then
understandingly and appreciatively, ant
thus enlarge their minds and enrich thei
lives. The power of speaking eloquent.
to the hearts or the reason of men is a rar'
gift, but the power of listening intelligent.
and receptively may be cultivated b.
thousands. Few can be wise statemen O
eminent governors, but all may aim to be
come good and valuable citizens. Few
can be great artists, great composers, grea
musicians, but many can cultivate tast
for art and for music, and learn to discrim
mate and enjoy the best. How few ca
make discoveries in science, but how man
can profit by them! How few can b
philosophers and define virtue! How man
can love and practice it! Few have tn
power to inspire others, but all can ope
their hearts to inspiring and exalting in
fluences.
1t seems, therefore, that the task of tn
age is not so much to raise up men {
genius or rare powers as to prepare other
to benefit by them. The debt we owe
the great men of the world cannot be over
estimated. We cannot honor them tc
highly, nor prize them too greatly. B,
the best way of showing our honor is nj
in sounding eulogies and building monu
ments, but in cultivating an intelligel
understanding of their labors, in infusin
an appreciative sympathy with their pu1
poses, and in inspiring something of tt
same spirit which animates them in tt
hearts of the people for whom they liv