The Washington times., 1922-08-19


In the City Of the Golden Gate.
While vegetating in many parts
Of the world used to run across
Californians. and well recollect that
every one of them, on the slightest
proyocation, would start singing the
praises of their homo State of glo-
rious sunshine and flowers, Of ozone
and fruit, Of cool mountains and
warm valleys. of cordial friends and
hospitable homes. ...s.
Well, although haven't yet seen
a great deal of the State, have met
quite a number Of the people and
have had q taste Of California eli
mate-and I'm not surprised that
the Californians ! used TO meet In
far-off foreign fields had in their
hearts so warm a spot for this so
greatly favored State.
Let me relate this: .. .....
Since arriving in California have
met many persons who formerly
/ lived elsewhere, including quite a
! few personal friends who used to
| live In New York and earn their
/ living in the neighborhood of the
Wall Street ticker.
1t doesn't matter what station In
life they may occupy, they are all
the same. The president of the
Standard Oil Company of Cali
fornia. who was born in the East
and trained at 26 Broadway and
elsewhere, was just as enthusiastic
but M moreover California as
an ex-National City Bank of New
York man who is now with the
wonderful Fleischhacker enterprises
here or San Francisco's leading
editor and publisher who formerly
Chicago.
One thing all who have lived
elsewhere emphasize Is that the cli-
mate, the air, the atmosphere is
so exhilarating, SO invigoratihg, so
full of pep and tang that one can
get through twice as much work
as in less bracing. less congenial
climate. II this be so-and 1 al
ready feel that IL Is so--is II not a
matter of supreme Importance,
4 since, after all, the difference be-
tween success and failure for ma
| ton. as well as Individual, is the
difference between accomplishing
much or little?
| have met. and you doubtless have
met, carpers who have sought to
smile and talk cynically about tine
enthusiasm Of Californians over
their State. With such cynics
have no patience. Enthusiasm is
achievement, of happiness. Of all
l that oix
Enthusiasm! Without enthusiasm
life would not be worth living,
progress would stagnate, civiliza-
ton would ianguish and decay. The
enthusiasm, the abundantly justi-
fled enthusiasm or the brisk, busy
yet friendly Californians I have met
invests them with a special charm,
for half-heartedness never got any
one anywhere except downhill. En-
thusiasm, must confess, Is one of
my pet subjects.
| All success Is based on eTithusia SIN.
Every great human achievement has
been generated by enthusiasm. Be-
hind every famous firm and corpora
ton has been some enthusiastic
worker. Almost every immortal has
been fired with unquenchable en-
! thusiasm.
Today enthusiasm quite often runs
to human service, to creating and
building up useful enterprises, to
bettering and extending the coun-
try's commerce, to improving the lot
! Of the rank and file, to raising the
national standard of education.
The young man who is afraid to
manifest enthusiasm lest his dig.
nifty" suffer is not likely to have
much dignity to lose by and by.
/ Enthusiasm Is the steam which
makes the engine go. 1t is, IL YOU
like the simile better, an electric
dynamo. capable of generating cur
rents OF infinite power and poten-
tiality. Whatsoever thy hand find
eth to do, do II with thy might"
That is the Sacred Books way OF
exhorting mortals to be enthusias-
tic. Enthusiasm Is the propelling
force necessary for climbing the
ladder Of success. The descent to
failure il creased with the slime OF
indifference.
Californians, and indeed Western
ers in general. have in them that
measure Of enthusiasm which spells
achievement.
tCopyrisht, 1922. by r. C. Forbes)