The Washington herald., 1921-06-23
Service and Appreciation.

n MAN from the outside looks inside and
n viewing the ingrattude of republics, be-
comes inclined to cynicism. Not approaching that
rewards are in fact measured by motives, he can
not conceive Bryan quite contented with
his lot and not soured by his fate. Such one is
writer for the Philadelphia Public Ledger and with
his heart gripped by vicarious disgust, he writes
No who has tried honestly and consci-
cautiously to serve the public emerges from that
service without fleeing of contempt for it.
And alter he has gone through the experience,
he never is able to view the public in the act
OF being "gypped" without feeling a desire to
go out behind the garage and laugh his head
The man who emerges from public service with
contempt for the public, entered the service with
a personal motive. No matter how honest and
conscientious he may have been, his inner pur-
pose was to do something for himself. His dis
appointment is personal, and he should laugh
his head off" at himself not at the public. He has
fooled himself, but has failed to fool the folks
The people may be mislead, and often are, and
the man who is sincere and high minded in
entering public service, should do so a soldier
enlists for war, to give his all and to demand
nothing just for himself
The most striking example Of the ingratituIe
OF public is that of Venizelos of Greece. He
is generally regarded as the greatest statesman OF
Europe. No man living today has done as much
for his country Yet the Greeks turned their
backs upon him. and so far possible, undid the
labors OF his life. But Venizelos is back Of
garage laughing his head off, and his life will
be perpetuatng force in the life of Greece when
Constantine will be but a name of evil in his
countrys history.
No man who enters public service with unsel6sh
motive, with high ideals and practical mind need
fear failure. He simply cannot fail. He may not
gain high honors and hold them; he may seem
ngly be repudiated by the people, but if his am
bition is indeed service he cannot fail; that amb
ton is fulfilled from day to day. Moreover, every
man in American history who had sincerity and
high ideals lives today Not failed, and in
the degree that ambition impersonal, each
attained.
Henry Clay did not become President, for the
sole reason that that the thing he wanted
But the good in his life has lived after him, and
only his personal ambition has marred the record
Mr.. Bryan has failed of the Presidency than
once, and many delight to poke fun at him. But
there millions of Americans who honor him.
and who follow his leadership. He is great
force in American politics, and there thought
fu men who would rather be Bryan than some
Presidents
Elihu Root has been victim of prejudice
Daniel Webster not President. American
history is full of like men. History rights the
seeming wrongs of each present day. This
country has had number of mediocre men
Presidents and our greatness nation by what
ever measure it is measured, is the whole due
less to Presidents than to a line of great
public men, Hamiltons and Marshalls, whose
appreciation is lasting because their an
unselhsh service
Greatness is very peculiar bird; it has never
been classified, but has failed of recognition
No one is born to it, and title bestows it,
In republics it is free to make itself known and
1I.G q.
its rewards Its rewards come in the giving of
itself in accomplishment. 1t asks but opportunity
to give, and America has never yet failed to know
and appreciate its own really great