The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-06-11

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teach the greatness of love and sympa
thy, and proceeded with the world !
greatest literary genius, Shakespeare
also to the author who gave to the worlc
the true translation of the Bible; to the
reformer, who, many years in obscur-
ity, changed the course of the entire
world towards better mortal standard,
a man who wrote with the keenest CON
ception and clearest insight in human
nature. Reference was made to Car
lyle's works which grow in strength and
popularity as the days go by.
Among the truly great men was
George Washington, great from youth,
patriotic, brave, great in defeat and
great in victory, a man called the
Father of Our Country, First in war,
first in peace and first in the hearts of
his countrymen." Oliver Cromwell was
one of England's great men. Last and
by no means least, because of the ex-
tent of human sympathy and universal
greatness was the son of an Illinois
farmer, Abraham Lincoln, rail split
ter, a character whose good works and
influence will last for all time. And so
on through the line of master spirits,
ennobling influences and achievements.
The prize speech was the Force of
Character" delivered by Herman
Briggs. This was a good one in all
respects, but of special value from a
literary point of view. The composition
was splendid example of the highest
literary attainment. The precept de-
pend upon yourself in working out the
problems of life was the introduction.
By this whatever your position you are
power.
Character is corner stone to indi-
vidual greatness, the doric architecture
and corner stone to true and dignifed
man. The personal character of COM
manding generals is in some instances
equal to the entire constitution. Treach-
cry and danger, lurk in the higher
walks of life and there is security only
in manly character. Force of charac-
ter lies in true manliness, and he who
possesses these qualities carries irresist-
ible power. The character of a true
gentleman shines in misfortune. The
man of strong feelings is great who has
command over them. He is spiritually
strong who pales and retires in tempta
ton. He is strong in passion who re-
mains chaste. The man who yields is
the man who fails. If your creditor
sees your face at billiard table or hears
your voice at the tavern he sends for
his money. There is more manly in
in one forgiving smile
than in all the worldliness of the society
Of bad men.
Force of character was graphic,
analytical, synthetical, poem in prose
md sermon in verse.
The last of the events was "Gideon's
Call to Arms" by John Harrison.
Great winds have swept and tossed the
seas, and in the same respect great
minds lead the nations of the world.
On the Eastern coast of the Mediter
'anean Sea people cried out for deliv-
france. 1t was Gideon sounding the
all to arms. Who would hear the call.
Anxious questions were heard on every
ide and men were seen coming from
very direction. At last $4,000 had
oined the crowd. Hush! 1t is Gid
on's voice. The time has come to
make decision. The number grows
mailer and smaller until two-thirds
AVE disappeared. Still the number
lwindles. AT last there are three hundred
n line of battle with fire in every eye ,
nd hope in every breast. They adj
ance in three companies and charge
he enemy is taken by surprise and
ght among themselves in their confu- !
ion. The story is to serve as an illus +;
ration of the fact that we are grad
ally becoming a leading nation, and
nat leaders are needed in the call for
etter moral standards, for purer ma
onal life The whole nation grows in
ravail and in pain, and shall we stand
lily by. There is call to the young q
zen. Recruits are needed A call for t
oldiers. The courts need more lawyers, S
greater need for physicians. The sim {