Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-12-18
WHAT IS GREATNESS
Greatness is the One Ruling Desire of
Every Man-"The Great Man is the
Fighter"-The Great Man is the
Successful Business Man The
Great Man is The Thinker The
Great Man is the Servant of All.
By w. T. Williams.

Greatness is the one ruling desire
of every man, especially when he is
young in experience. It is universal
and deep-seated, and the effort that
has been put forth to secure the slip
perry prize has been real and full of
hardships. Along this line man has
proven beyond shadow of doubt his
capacity for endurance. Indeed, in this
he is sublime. No difficulty has been
too arduous to undertake, no obstruc-
ton has been too heavy to remove, no
obstacle has been too high to sur
mount. The wrestling and the pom
dering have been unlimited. We all
have our pet conceptions of heroism,
of greatness. Napoleon, with his
stern face, sitting ON his favorite
white horse, resolved to bring the
world to his feet, has been before the
eyes of many, and, Simon Stylites on
his pillar delighted with the throngs
of wondering admirers drawn to him
by the fame of his self-denial has
been in the minds of more than a
few. 1t has invaded every soul. 1t
is always ready to make its presence
known, and its energy is unmistakable
and untiring. It never grows weary
while ray Of hope remains.
"The great man is the fighter"
This has been repeated over and over,
and multitudes have been attracted by
the notion. They were willing for it
to determine the value of each man.
The sword became the measuring line
of his usefulness. The strength and
skill of his arm became the standard
by which he. was judged. To be a
fighter was to be great. The first king
of Israel was chosen because he was
successful warrior. Saul was big,
standing head and shoulders above
his comrades, and this was enough to
have the crown placed on his head.
No other qualities were necessary.
These were all-sufficient to answer
the demand. The ancient aristocracy
of Japan, the Samurai, its members
were wholly elected from the military
class. In medieval Europe the
knight and the battler were preferred
and set in the front ranks of society.
But the days Of this notion have been
numbered. The old prophet was right
and his prophecy is coming true. The
swords are slowly but surely beaten
into plowshares. To be great is not
to be fighter.
Following this came the notion of
commercialism. The military type of
civilization is losing ground. Busi-
ness is driving it from the field. Mill
tarism is a destroyer rather than a
promoter, and then it must be pushed
out of the way. The great man accord
ing to this fancy is the one that
makes the most money. The glamour
of wealth is stronger than the bright
ness of the sword. 1t is better to be
captain of industry than a captain
of artillery. Dimes and dollars and
banknotes have charmed their mil
lions, it is true. But, the eyes which
were once filled by it are clearing.
The great man is not the one that
makes the most money.
On the heel of this we began to be-
lieve that after all the greatest man
was the thinker. The commercial type
of civilization as well as the military
have been overshadowed by the in
tellectual They are held now in dis
repute. The mind has been raised to
the throne and woe to all who fail in
obeisance. The curious gray convolu-
tions of the brain have been exalted
beyond compare. The man of insight
and Judgment, the man of outlook
and discrimination, the man of origin
al and creative ability in the realm Of
knowledge, as one has said, has been
given the reins. He is the director
of our destiny. Our welfare is in his
hands. Somebody has told US that
knowledge is power, and it has been
whispered in our ears that the "world
| belongs to the man who knows.
Then, of course, everything must be
set aside in order to enhance the in
tellect. "Go to school-go to SCHOOL,"
has been exclaimed by myriad ton
CUES. The mind must be trained to
possess the earth. Your chances are
woefu1ly meager unless you know.
The cry has been heard in the re-
motest corners of the universe, and
many parents offer their daily oblga-
tions on the affairs of the beautiful,
enchanting goddess-Knowledge. But,
even she, although we have felt the
eloquence of her pleas, must be brush
ed out of our paths.
Thus far, our search for the mean
ing of greatness is displeasing. 1t
does not satisfy. Something from
within tells us that we have failed.
We have been searching in the wrong
domains for the treasure. 1t is too
desirable to be found in such spheres.
Therefore, let US try again. We want
to know the meaning of greatness.
We are painfully anxious to know it,
and we are willing to sacrifice all we
have for the privilege of placing our
hands on it. Which way shall we go