The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-06-03


who misunderstood him, who contra
dict his nature bring out the
worst in his disposition--he is Slapped
OF his strength and then longs to be
alone alone with God.
God in his infinite wisdom has
endowed men with different intel
lects, different minds and different
Z temperaments. These having grasped
opportunities, making the best of
their lives, have been the leaders of
men and protectors of nations. That
man ever giving his life for the bet
terment of the world-to the uplift-
ing OF humanity, has ever and ever
Will hold the best, the greatest and
the noblest, purest thoughts of
man. He is not as the man of power
acknowledge for his cruelty
or his cunningness no! but with
his life held before men-he alone
has stood the test of ages. Few men
are his enemies--his name is revered
he grasps the minds and the in
teiligence of the people and holds
them through time and eternity.
The golden age of Greece introduces
to US the great Athenian statesman
and orator-Pericles. He lived at a
time when Athens held supremacy,
when education had taken of the
physical activities ofSparta. Athens
the seat of culture and education
held many libraries and institutions
concerning knowledge. In this ripe
age came Pericles. lie was inclined
to be distant and reserved in his
nature. He went little into society
and cared nothing for popularity.
He rather desired the converse of
the intellectual persons of the age.
Thus he entered into public life with
mind stored with the best phil
Osophy which the age afforded and
with the additional advantage of an
eioquence such as no one before had
either heard or conceived.
In his political life he took much
part in the wars between the
Athenians and Spartans. His victor
les were innumerable. Many posses
sions and strongholds were taken for
the benefit of Athens.
After the wars were over Pericles
decided to improve Athens in the
architectural line. AS means for
securing money for this purpose he
embezzled the funds belonging to the
Confederacy of Delos "a sum of
money used for war purposes. Thus
ne gave to US, through the building
OF the Parthenon-one of the most
beautiful structures Of ancient times.
Through the securing of these
funds Pericles gained many bitter
enemies life was endangered
gross insults hurled upon him: his
home and lands were ever in danger
sOf devastation. Yet through his
e,loqnence he again gained power
having many of his rivals ostracized.
After accomplishing his purpose
here Pericles passed away leaving
behind him the glory Of the Par
fhenon. Yet withal that his mea-
sures were beneficial to Athens NAV
be questioned.
is this mantle one in a golden
agez-the builder of many beautiful
buildings, the cleanser and purifyer
OF acity-the participation in many
great wars and bloody battle scenes
the great Athenian orator and states
man-is he the man for humanity
the one whose life speaks This
remains to be proven.
Alexander the Great, the famous
Macedonian king and general. occu-
pied the center of the worlds arena
10 an age OF superstition and idolatry
aAAAA Allo u WtIH scattered
oyer SO vast a multitude of people
differing in thoughts, manners and
religions that the accites handed down
70 as partake OF the prejudices and
pecuiarities of time and locality.
Some people consider Alexander a
tyrant while others consider him a
deliyerer. He has been charged with
the most infamous crimes and his
Justice as king and conqueror has
been questioned: but as warrior no
one has attempted to deny his skill
and viyacity. His achievements
stand unsurpassed. His armies were
lead over all the continent of that
day always victorious. In personal
bravery and integrity he was never
lacking. He has been called man
Of complex character. In many in
stances of his life he has shown great
1Orbearence and mercy, yet sometimes
he seemed to delight in cruelty. In
many OF his BATTLES thousands of
Darbarians were unnecessarily put to
death. He wept when parting from
his old veterans, yet with the same
hand he KILLED his intimate friend.
He died at the height of his sue
cesses. Undoubtedly his death was
OssAAsSSA W LID AlSot pdOlOu Ills uGdCIl
clearly brings out the thought in the
quotation. Fame often leads to =
death of shame.
Alexander the great general whose
victories remain unsurpassed this
man evincing complex character
shall he be placed before the eyes of
the people asa great mantle man
who should be their leader-their
Ideal their example? ALI no! let
rs pass on to greater men-to men
who do not live for petty ambition or
glory.
Sayonarola, the great Italian re-
former, lived at an age when the
church was controlled by the ruler.
NJ that time no one dared to utter q
word save it harmonized with the
words OF the king as written by
Some have so narrowed their
minds and are SO fettered with the
claims of antiquity, that not only do
they refuse to speak save as the
ancients spake but they refuse to:
think save as the thoughts, God