Evening star., 1923-04-22
BT THOMAS r. MARSHALL.
Former Vice President OF the United
States.

TINE incident am about to re-
late occurred in the smoking
compartment Of Pullman
car. One young man was urg-
ing another to join him in a business
enterprise. He was earnest, sincere,
eager to explain details, which he ap-
peared to have mastered. and con-
fident OF making good if the venture
was tackled. His companion mani
tested slight enthusiasm. The details
did not interest him. What he want
ed to know was who was going to
guarantee the success of the enter
prise. He made il known that he
cared nothing for the proposal as an
opportunity to accomplish something.
AS an opening for work. his friend 5
project had no appeal for him. But
he was anxious to learn how much
probably could be made out of it ard
was particularly inquisitive about the
insurance policy of success, IL any,
| that would go with it.
I get all sorts Of letters. am in
formed by one writer Of q poor young
man who wants an education, and am
advised that it is plainly my duty TO
assist him because his purpose is
laudable. Mrs. Marshall is advised
that II she would deprive herself of u
dress which the writer thinks she
doesn't need. tho money thereby saved
would help the writer to buy Il tiivyer
Another writer. evidently thinking /
am still the presiding officer of the
Senate, desires sliding trombonc
which would cost only S4S. He would
! have me collect so cents from each of
the senators and thus enable him to
add TO the harmony or discord Of the
| world. l refer TO these REQUESTS
| which crowd my mail merely to call
attention to the outlook Of l fear,
many young persons in America.
i; \ *
| These instances have caused me 70
! wonder whether the spirit of adven-
ture has deserted the nostrils of man
| kind. Can it be. now that the habit
able globe is pretty well charted, tha
the old race OF men rapidly disap-
| pearing Is being succeeded by a race
or strangely different individuals
America has always been looked upon
as the land Of opportunity. but the
| men OF America who achieved sue
! cesseS did not lie abed until oppor-
| tunity rang their doorbells. On the
! contrary, they were great adventur-
ers pursuing opportunity. They lived
| In an age when life, health, accident
! and success insurance were not de-
| manded before man would take his
! chance. They were the Vasco di Gamas
hoating on unknown seas; the Chris
| topher ColumbuSeS sailing on and on
the Livingstons in tractless wastes:
| the GreenfelS in Arctic foes: the John
! Hays liammonds and the Thomas T..
| Washes seeking opportunity be-
! meath the surface of the earth. Yes,
tunity, but il was because the Ameri-
! can has dared TO take his chance.
| Call il the spirit of the gambler il
you will, but there are some things
! that arc quite worth while to be ap-
| preached in that spirit
He either fears his fate too much,
| Or his desert is small.
| Who will not put il to the touch
! And win or lose il all.
With the wonderful Developments
of modern science and the opening UP
OF the Arcana OF nature to the ex-
! ploration and use OF mankind. the
| age of opportunity has not passed
| The spirit of adventure ought yet TO
be the predominant factor in Ameri-
can life. notwithstanding all injus-
| tees and inequalities, opportunities
| for men TO succeed still exist. But I
cannot help but be impressed with
| the feeling that life in America is
| very rapidly separating itself into
, two antagonistic camps, which by
| mental or physical warfare may de-
| stroy not only the spirit of adven-
ture, but the very thing upon which
| adventure rests, opportunity and the
| willingness OF man TO take his