Evening star., 1927-05-07
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

claimed throughout the world as the
greatest speech of the age, If not OF
all ages, and only the last five years
of his life gave any luster to his fame.
A more modern instance of success
in late life, has been illustrated In
the National Art Gallery in the last
three months, in the exhibit or land
scapes by the late John Ross Key
grandson of Francis Scott Key, the
writer of the star Spangled Banner.
These paintings proved an amazing
surprise to connoisseurs of art. Who
was the artist Every one of the pic
lures shown Except one) had been
painted after he was past 40 years or
age. Some were painted in his last
year-S6. More than one canvas has
been sold for thousands of dollars
some priced by experts at S15,OOO-
while many scenes of national historic
importance have been withdrawn
from the sale, at the urge of Repre-
sentatives who pledge their purchase
by the Government. II Key had dled
when the average of life ends. he
would have died as a house decorator,
not an artist of immortal pictures.
X X X
What makes fame?
Honor and fame from no condition rise,
Act well your part-there all the hohor he''
y % X
In the preface of the latest edition
of "Whos Who in America" is this
discussion:
"Two radically different interpreta-
tions have been offered concerning the
comparative value of the several ele.
ments of the population in the pro-
duction of notable men. Galton, Dav-
export and certain other biologists
have believed that heredity is of prime
importance, and hence that the nota-
BILE men come from the intellectually
superior elements of the population,
which are concentrated in certain
types of occupations and places. On
the other hand, Ward, CatteH ana
Davies have emphasized the lmpor-
tance of the environment. Ward be-
lieved that there were 200 times as
many men inherently capable of be-
coming eminent as do in fact become
notable"
"Who's Who" cites as proof that
not heredity. but environment and
personal ambition, count most, the
case of the sons of Clergymen. Preach
ers are educated men. In the last
who's Who" it is found that IL per
cent of the notables are sons of the
ministers, Notwithstanding that in the
1870 census-the one nearest the
births of present-day notables-
preachers constituted only 0.4 per
cent of the men of America. So 0.4
per cent of the potential fathers or
the present generation produced II
per cent of those who become dis
Does that prove heredity
or that environment develops talent,
of heredity?
Or does it recall the adage, There
are but three generations from shirt
sleeves to shirt sleeves" That.
being interpreted, means that Sturdi-
ness in meeting fate brings out
stamina which achieves success and
that successful parents raise their
children soft and flabby. so that they
flop back into day labor.
Without too direct personal refer
ence, it would be easy to cite the
success of many highly distinguished
Senators now serving the Nation who
came up from an Indian tepee or
from playing about the back door of
a country hotel kitchen, where the
bootblack boys widowed mother was
cook. The day when Lincoln studied
before a blazing log in the fireplace.
and continued to study after he was
domiciled in the White House, is still
shining for boys and men of Lincoln's
stamp.
The man who has done more to
"enlighten the world than even the
New York Harbor statue. Thomas
began as Il news agent and
then as a telegraph operator and in
spite of his environment" has made
a fame that will some day put his
bust in the Hall of Fame!
But how the youth does like to
prove alibi! Ben King tells it In
poetry, but there is more truth than
poetry in its picture:
Jane Jones keeps talkiu to me all the time.
And says you must make II a RUE
To study your lessons nd work hard nd learn.
An never be absent from school.
Remember the history of Elhu Burritt.
An how he clum to the top,
Tot all the knowledge at he ever had
Down in a blacksmith shop?
lane Jones she honestly said it was sol
Mebbe he did
l dunnoi
J. course. what's keepin' me way from
Is not never havin' no blacksmith shop.
The said I Ben franklin was awfulIy poor.
But fun of ambition an brains:
An 'UsV see what 'YSep he got 70 FOR hi his % painsi
fe brought electricity out of the sky,
With kite an a bottle an key.
In we're OWN him m0re'n any one else
For all the bright lights at we see.
ane Jones. she honestly said ID was so.
Mebbe he did
dunnOi
= course what alters been hinderin' me
, not havin' any kite. er lghtnin', or kaXs !. a
tcopyrisht. 1897, BY Paul 1nolHni ~ =