The Denver Jewish news., 1918-11-07
SIMON WOLF-THE MAN.
Eigi,ty-twO Years of Good.
BY BILL PRICE

BY BILL PRICE.
Simon Wolf. Of this city and tie
nation, is eighty-two years old tomor-
row-almost three score years of that
a record of work devoted to his Eel
low men.
Why print long and tedious. t!o-
graphy? Why stress honorable achieve
ment for nation and Federal Capital?
His splendid services to his country and
his home city spread over more than
half this long life These biographies
tell of mans public life, the things
accomplished in political and civic
leadership. They burden with dates
aud places. Of course it's worth while
to know the story of rise to prominence,
honor, and usefulness from humble he
ginnings: what grit, courage, intelli-
gcnce. and uprightncss necessary to
reach this goal. It's worthy of emua-
ton: stimulates, invigorateS.
But worth while above all these
things is that satisfaction of heart that
comes from deeds done for the uplift
of the tt,spopdcnt. dispiritcsi: victory
won in tie cause of justice as against
injustice sunshine literally scattered
into corners that are gloomy and dark.
When all the worlds famous pulpit
orators have thundercd their dogmas
and crced;, their anathemas and their
warnings quoted Scripture from end
TO end, with each his own interpreta-
tion. the chief essence of it all is
Squarcncs@. justice, Kindness, clcanli-
ness, recognition of the omnipotcncc
and all-pcrvading love of Il Superior
Being, as compared TO the snallness
of His creatures.
The man in the woods, on the plains,
on the farm and in the crowded streets
of cities inquiries only as to another: Is
he square: Is he just? Is he kind
and gentle: That's the measure Those
are the virtues
If the test shows these things. then
the yartist ick is laid down and allow
ance made for shortcomings to which
all of us are hcirS-shortcomings that
iIc ollNlL "i-hSi''-
able.
So, Simon Wolf, these greetings to
you are from your fellow men. You
have long ago passed the test. Amply
your private virtues have covered all
the yardstick. No one cares Il rap
whether you are Jew or Gentle. Re
ligious belief has not narrowed your
relations to other men or lcsscned your
wide sympathies for all mankind; your
dealings squared man to man. Your
great heart has seen the weakness and
littlencsS of all races and crceds: ii
has generously pulsatcd for general
good.
When tomorrow you read and listen
to the greetings that will oyerwhem
and crafty you--softened and delight
ell by the floral ages from those
you love-your mind will swiftly go
back over your life. 1t will not be the
successes of your public life that will
swceten the hours. 1t will be the de
votion of loved ones and friends and the
knowledge that practically every mile
stone of your career Is garlandcd by
the gratitude of men and women to
whom you have extended the helping
hand
Had you given all your time to self
glorificatiou, advancement, and ma
terial acquisition, the greetings and
flowers would have been few. Bitter
ness and not mellowness would be III
your heart. In dollars you are poor.
You are still working for living.
There is no tainted money i'll your
pocket Sorrow you know. but the sun
shine is III your soul. Not one OF
your many milestoues is blackencd
with injustice, unllindncss, or inhu
manity.
Many more years Of usefulness to YOU
and ucu like you Washington Tluies.