Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-03-05
DIR. Marden's
Uplift Talks
BY oRlsoN SWEET MARpEN.
THE ELEMENTS OF TRUE GREAT.
NESS.

A lawyer who recently died in New
York city left instructions in his will
that one-half Of his fortune of $780,
600 should be devoted to establish.
ing and maintaining bread line" for
the hungry Of the city.
Obsessed with the idea of perpetu-
ating his name. he stipulated that it
should appear in raised letters on
each and every loaf of bread distrib.
uted by his agents to the poor and
needy who might apply for aid.
1t is said that this man had often
expressed the opinion that the only
Immortality of which the individual
can be certain is in the perpetuation
of his name and acts through be-
quests in one form or another to DOS
terity. Thus We can somewhat &C.
count for his ambition to have his
name so prominently associated with
his good deed.
While we would not belittle this
mans philanthropy, which will un-
doubleday prove a blessing to many
a poor unfortunate, yet we cannot
but regret his methods of gaining
immortality" and contrast him with
the two great men whose birth we
celebrate this month-Washingto
and Lincoln. How undimmed is their
renown after all these years, and
yet without any self-laudation, or ad.
vertisement on their part.
They gave themselves to their coun-
try and thus engraved their names
on the hearts of their countrymen,
and immortalized themselves for all
time.
Abraham Lincoln, one of the most
colossal figures in all history, was the
apostle of modesty and simplicity.
An analysis of Lincoln's character
shows that his marvellous career was
due more to the moral qualities which
everyone can cultivate than to any
particular mental brilliancy or genius
Lincoln illustrates in a remarkable
degree the power of common qualities,
everyday virtues, in the making Of
manhood. His great horse-sense, his
tenacity of purpose, his force Of char
acter, his keen sense of humor, and
his power of self-expression; these
were the foundations upon which he
reared his great life structure
When we think of Lincoln we form
a picture Of great, hearty, kindly.
helpful, accommodating, sympathetic
soul, more than Of a great intellectual
genius.
To this sort of a man the world
builds its monuments. Pure genius
without heart which matches 1t;
great brilliancy without the virtues
which are common to humanity, or
mere wealth without character does
not live very long in a peoples re-
gard. The world builds its monu-
ments to those who have sacrificed
self to the public good; 1t builds no
monuments to selfishness or greed,
however brilliant.
All through life Lincoln was true to
the best, the highest that was in him.
and so he never was, never could be,
false to himself or to any man. Il
am not bound to win," he said. but I
am bound to be true, l am bound
to succeed. but am bound to live up
to what light I have. l must stand
with anybody that stands right"
A rich life is worth a thousand
times more to the world than a rich
bank account. Who would have
thought Of asking how much money
Lincoln left? Yet, Is not the whole
world richer for his life and exam
pie?
Lincoln's great ambition was to
make the most he possibly could of
himself. Who cannot have such an
ambition? Who cannot succeed in It?