Evening star., 1924-06-29
How Memories of Great Men
Help Mold Character of Youth
BY THOMAS r.. MARSHALL.
Former Vice President Of the United
States, ~

BY THOMAS r.. MARSHALL.
Former Vice PresideAt Of the United
States.
Enough good advice has been
poured into the reservoir of American
thought this month to wipe out. II
tho Hood of counsel had proper
distributing system, all crime, all
vice. all wrong. all injustice, all hatred,
malice and I'll will.
NAL political conventions, but the
thousands OF commencements held
annually in June by our educational
institutions, ranging from big univer-
stiles to high schools in small towns,
even to eighth-grade classes. The
good which has flowed from these oc-
casions should suffice to make Amer
lea what Eden was before the fall.
The activities Of the month which
is the climax of the school year. at
which the best thought OF the educa-
tional world is advanced and alb
sorbed reminded US once again that
from the contemplation Of greatness.
1t would be futile for us to seek to
disabuse our minds of the belief that
character and conduct are formed
largely, II not wholly, through con-
temptation of the lives and services
greatness of the republic. No one
would dispute or desire to change the
erect which these men have produced
upon the lives of America. What
remain an Inspiration for the youth
OF the land. Washington, Jefferson
and Lincoln are not among the i'm
mortals. they are immortal. They
live and breathe and move in Ameri-
ca today as evidenced by the init
macy of their presence in university,
college. academy and school. Their
influence is even greater, perhaps,
than when they walked in visible
form among men.
He would be foolish, IL not a bad
man, who would seek to lessen the
impulse which the lives OF these men
gave good citizenship. He is a dis
Smirch upon these white characters.
Too much OF the good Of the past
can never be instilled into the mind
of the present. 1t Is well, therefore,
to play up strong the virtues Of the
past and to avoid reference to it's
70 sona Tass, WIS nse
not bear too much Of the glorious
characters OF our history of whom
We have heard so much again this
June. They are Of the utmost value
in the formation of character and
fixatfon of conduct.
Sometimes fear that my mental
fads are obsessions which cloud my
Judgment. At any rate, l am unable
to free my mind OF the idea that out
OF very best things. unless we beware.
Eliminating the spiritual side OF man
and the effect which the unseen forces
OF God have upon him, no one dares
say with certainty what course OF
conduct, what training, what lines Of
education are best for the making of
man. What moves one mans soul
may pass another by untouched. What
appeals to me may repel you. What
one may think essential may be
wnoy at son sae sus6t to Snor obs9 9r
acter building comes from a con-
temptation Of departed greatness. Yet
it seems to me that unless this is
supplemented by something more
there is an element of danger in it
Out of this great good. in accordance
with my obsession, there is a likeli-
hood Of some evil arising. I may ex-
plain ie as the attitude of mind which
induces too many parents to admon-
ish their children "Don't do as I do;
contemplation Of greatness and this
constant attempt to fix the mind Of
the young upon the sun-crowned men
of America may result in lack of
parental responsibility. which, in turn.
may produce a feeling in the mind
of the young that 1t is not very i'm
portant what the father and mother
think and say. Not to little love but