Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-12-31
RETROSPECTION.
Communicated

Communicated
From infancy we are creatures OF
example. Imitation is an instinct that
! is born in every human being. The
child learns to talk by initiating those
who are older. Thought is awakened
and exercised by the desire to follow
the speech and the actions of others.
Thus it is that during the years Of
youth and early manhood and woman
hood, the formative period of life, hab-
| it and character are the direct results
of example. We do as others Go. The
words, the action, the lives, of those
with whom we are in contact in large
measure give shape and direction to-
our own. Success in life is often ac-
hieved by following the example of
those who have overcome adverse con-
ditions and influences, and thus have
accomplished great results. Generally
speaking, those who are born to wealth
or greatness do not win the brightest
!aurels. The richest rewards Of hu-
man effort come to those whose heri-
tage is poverty, but who are inspired
with lofty ambition and purpose to
clear away obstacles, or to leap over
them, and unlock the doors that open
TO success. 1t is not given to al Of us
to reach the top, but there is not one,
De he ever so humble, VINO may not as
cend to higher planes, in any depart
ment of activity, and in the develop
ment of character. That which has
been done by one may be accomplished
by another. The path that has been
trodden remains open to those who will
follow. No one can bar the way
through which he himself has passed.
Where is there among us one who
reads of the early struggles, the high
purposes, the growing ambition, the
long preserving effort Of those who
proved themselves heroes and states
men, without quickening pulse and 4
kindling desire to 60 and do as they
moment imagine that all has been
done, and that there is nothing left to
be achieved by those of us who remain
on this side of the great divide in the
year 1913. The great world of human
effort is constantly growing larger.
xpansion-progress- the order of
things. The opportunities that bee
kon to success today are vastly greater
than those of past years, and he who
will may pass through the gate. The
leaps and bounds, forward and upward,
that marked our progress during the
past year, may be far exceeded by
those of the new era that will dawn in
I few days. The world needs and de-
mands more thought, more energy, and
more action than ever before, and in
supplying these needs and demands,
he young womanhood and manhood Of
this greatest Of all countries this side
Of the celestial, where we are told,
there are mansions and the ytreeto
paved with gold, will have a large
part. There is no limit to mans gen
Jus, his effort, or his achievement.
Could we look forward a hundred
years ago could they now awaken and
behold what has been wrought while
than would those whl died hundred
years ago could they wrought while
they slept Let us all feel the inspira-
ton Of the dawning year, and with
exalted aims and hopes, strive to reach
the goal AS General Sidney Johnston
said to his officers when his army was
in battle array at Shiloh, "Let every
command be Forward. Now this
year is almost gone. Soon 1912 will
take its chamber in the silent halls OF
DEATH What it has brought Us fc-
mains, and what it has taken away
from us no power can restore. Of the
passing. year we can only say, IN the
language of Plate, what | have writ
ten, 1 have written" The thought of
opportunities gone, never to return; Of
duties undone; of temptations yielded
to; of good gifts wasted, and of bles-
sings unimproved, is not pleasant
one. But the bitter in it is good for
US, if we will have it. The coming year
night be worse than the past, if we
should not look solemnly and penitent
ly over it. The way to improve is to
! try and see wherein we have failed.