The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-05-26
GREATNESS AND SIMPLICITY


Among the, best loved and most distinguished
visitors who spend their winters in Florida Mr.
and Mrs Chauncey M. Depew. Every season they
take up their residence in the Hotel Ponce de
Leon at St. Augustine and their arrival is the signal
for renewed activities along useful lines in the
Ancient City. Mr.. Depew is president Of the ST.
Augustine Historical Society and in that capacity
has accomplished many worth while things in the
preservation of important points in Florida history
Thoroughly democratic in his views, he has keen
appreciation of the needs and the circumstances of
the times With a record of SO years on this old
EARTH he is in position to look back over the de-
cades that have passed and note wondrous changes.
And herein is remarkable thing-that Chauncey
Depew, at his ripe old age, has keen enjoyment
of the modern routine of life and is able to look
forward with hope to whatever number of years
may be left him for useful service among his fell
lows 1t cannot be said of him that he has lived
in vain One has but to enjoy the privilege OF
hearing him speak on any topic to realize that there
is much to be learned from his life. If any one
man has brought out of life the best that is in it,
that man is Senator Depew. This does not mean
that he has used mere existence for selfish pleasure
but rather that he has endeavored to live that
his fellows might be helped, their courage in right
and Justice strengthened and their love for their
Cod reverently increased with the passing years.
1t is Shakespeare who tell us that if we be true to
ourselves, we cannot be false to others; if we ac-
cept this truism it will help in the Interpretation
of the active service for humanity performed by
this great student and scholar His life stands out
as an example to the boys of today. 1t is amaz-
ing to think that he has lived fifteen years longer
than half the life of the American nation and that
fer more than third of this nations existence he
has been in close personal touch with Its foremost
statesmen, soldiers and men of learning. He has
seen the beginning of our industries; he was young
man long before many Of the inventions of our day
appeared, inventions that seem quite common
place, if not antiquated. His acquaintanceshp in
cludes the leaders of thought in our own land and
many of the most prominent men across the sea.
He has an intimate knowledge of all the govern
ments of the earth and holds positive views on the
folles and shortcomings of our people and govern
ment. AS an orator the fame of Chauncey Depew
is nationwide. In using the term orator it is
not to be inferred that his is that wearing style of
ranting and vituperaton his generous heart and
his recognition of the frailities of men, added to
which is his familiarity with politics, good and bad,
enable him to speak simply and with the authority
of knowledge. In that lies his art Then. bring
ing forth from memory's storehouse innumerable
able incidents of long life of experience, he is
always able to hold spell-bound. any audience.
While remembering these outstanding characters
TICS there is more satisfaction in thinking of Chaun-
cey Depew as a man whose attitude toward life
is one of frankness one of friendliness, one of
optimism; thus has it been possible for him to WELD
an influence utterly foreign to those who are with
out this viewpoint Of life. To have lived well, to
have carefully guarded the Heaven-born gift of
health and to have cultivated broad love and
sympathy for all men are useful examples to those
of the newer age.