THE WEST SHORE.
137
THREE GREAT MEN.
Never before in the history of the nation has it been called upon to
moum the death within so short a period of three men who have borne so
important and honorable parts in its affairs as those whose portraits are here
with given. It is to be presumed that the record of their lives is familiar to
every one with intelligence enough to understand it and patriotic enough to
take an interest in the affairs of the nation. There is not room here for a
biographical record such as can be found elsewhere, but merely to call atten
tion to a few ideas in connection with them and point out some of the useful
lessons they plainly teach.
Ply
opportunity to magnify his personal power and greatness, but a dcyiand for the
exertion of his abilities tor his country's welfare. The same truth shines out
brightly in the life of Admiral Porter. Unselfishly patriotic, he constantly
endeavored, after the demand for his active services had ceased, to rouse the
country to a realiiing sense of its defenseless condition. Resolutely refusing
all political honors, too intensely patriotic to be bound by the restraining ties
of enforced party allegiance, both of these great captains gave the closing
years of their lives to the promotion of the nation's welfare as a whole, and
not to the perpetuation or increase of mere party power.
The life of Secretary' Windom demonstrates that, in this country at least,
a high place on the pages of a nation's history is not necessarily gained in the
smoke and noise of battle. The statesman whose life is a long record of
useful and patriotic service occupies a place of honor that ambition may well
be stimulated to gain. Here, indeed, lies the opportunity the most open to
the American youth. The country is in constant need of many wise stales
men, while a generation may pass away before the services of another great
captain will be demanded. Hut it does not follow that the paths of true mili
tary' glory are closed. Peare we have, and peace we hope for i but the time
has not yet come when the nation will sacrifice its honor for it. May the time
never come, and it never will so long as the genuine American blood runs in
the nation's veins, when the brooding spirit of commerce shall hatch out a
nation of traders, who will be willing to purchase peace and safety for their
dollars at the price of honor. In the future war will doubtless come, how
soon only omniscient wisdom alone can tell, and when it comes the country
will call for the service of its generals, and will render them honor in accord
ance with their deeds.
THK I.A'I'K dKNKKAI. WILLIAM T. SHKKMAN.
The death of William T. Sherman, once general in chief of the army,
David D. Porter, once admiral in chief of the navy, and William Windom, a
member of the president's cabinet, all of whom earned their positions by
years of patriotic service and patient endeavor in the paths of duty as they
lay before them, calls attention to the fact that the nation needs great men
and honors them, no matter whether their greatness has been manifested in
civil or military life. The day has gone by when the world holds honors only
for the winner of battles and bestows them in proportion only to his success.
The great soldier now is he who draws his sword in a righteous cause and
lays it down again when the victor)' is gained. The motives, as well as the
ft u i - U l '
TV " w
..ss
THK I.A'I'K ADMIRAL DAVID I). IDRTKK.
deeds, of men now constitute their meed of praise. In this respect General
Sherman, as was Cenent. Gran,, was a truly great ma. In Ml
uncompromising in war, when war was necery for the P-J ' h
in history as one of the world's great captains, who saw ,n war no. simpl) an
o ' V ' ' ,M7 i ll i
THK LA I K WILLIAM WISDOM.
Perhaps the strongest lesson taught by the lives of these departed heroes
is the one most apt to be overlooked. It is that true greatness is achieved by
performing the duties of life as they present themselves thoroughly and hon
orably. Sherman, the lieutenant, Porter, the midshipman, and Windom, the
law clerk, gave the same energy and faithful altention to the duties that then
devolved upon them as they did in after life to those greater ones so affecting
the welfare of the nation. This is the only road, and all who would achieve
an honorable place in their nation's history must follow it. Comets, however
brilliant, occupy no permanent place in the heavens. What has leen accom
plished by tliese men, whose loss we now so deeply mourn, is possible to
ever)' American boy who will order his life UHn the same earnest, unselfish,
patriotic plan.
Hut it is not necessary to draw a lesson simply from the lives of those
who have passed away, for to do so encourages the idea that seems to be too
strongly intrenched in the popular mind, that our great men are all in the
grave. Never did the country possess so many great men as are now ren
dering it service in a hundred ways great in mind, heart and purpose and
it needs but a supreme crisis in national affairs to bring them to the front.
Let the youth of the nation be determined to be great in little things, to be
sincere, to maintain personal honor and the honor of their country, even at the
cost of their lives, and we will never lack for great mm to lead us through
every danger and trial that await us.
"THI WEST 8HORI PAYS ALL IXPSN8IS."
IVFe Announcement of Particulars of Vollowatona Park Comsat
en pag 148 of this Issue.