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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1877)
Sklv Remanoe. 133 Gifted with such abilities niul virtues, Jefferson was undeniably a thorough statesman. While an ardent worker in political science, he none the less culti vated the arts of the rural district. The examples of his public life have been so well followed, and so groat success has been achieved, as not to need farther rec commendation. Who, then, would hesi. tatc to commend (o the American youtli for their imitation that course of life pur sued by Thomas Jefferson ? Who could hesitate to follow his examples? Who can justly condemn the examples of his public career? Those fine abilities and rare virtues will ever bo admired by an intelligent people. Although he did not. live long enough to satisfy the desires of his friends, he out. lived the hostilities of his enemies; and at the moment he closed his mortal career he occupied the very first place In the hearts of a free people. self.reliange. The highest tribute of respect or honor that wo can ascribe to tlie memory of Mo ses, Pluto or Milton, is that tliey set nt naught the teachings of men and of books, and spoke not as other non sug gestod or intimated, but spoke and wrote as they themselves thought. Man is prone, and indeed too willing, to set aside the fruits of his own mind simplybecau.se they are his own. But in every work of genius, in every work of true worth, man must ultimately and unreservedly rely up on his oioi spontaneous impressions, with good humored Inflexibility, though the majority of voices may bo upon the other side. Else, if ho wait till a later time, perhaps tomorrow some one else will have caught up and said in a masterly and scholarly mtinner, precise ly what he had thought and Colt nil the time, but did not carry lo perfection be causu of the opinions of others. There is a certain stag'! in many per sons' course of education, when they ar rive at the conclusion that to envy is ig norance, to copy imitate is a form of sul cidc; and that they must rely wholly up. on themselves for the true solution of the enigma of their lives; that no true good can come to them except through their own immediate efforts. This is as it should be, and It would be well If all could come to this conclusion. But there arc far too many exceptions. Many endeavor to follow In the path of certain illustrious nten, and although they may learn much that Is beneficial, yet they are seldom found among the eminent men of the age. This is an age of advancement, rapid, sure and praiseworthy, and although it is well to bear in mind the distructivo traits of eminent men, yet it is ultimately re quired that we proceed according to our own convictions. Nc law can be sacred to any one but his own nature. That which is right is with his nature. That which is wrong is against it. What wo must do, is that which concerns us, and not as every body else dictates. We must follow out our own minds, and then if we are wrong we must suffer the consequences. Suppose the government were to pass a law requiring mo to steal a horse. I would not stop to think what was the duty due to my country, but I would first inquire in my own mind, as to the duty to mj'sclf If I refused to act as the law required, I must receive the penalty and bcome a martyr. If I did contrary to my ideas of right, I would obey my country, but would I be free from sin on that account? Because it is the law and the opinion of many, would I be justified in committ ing the act? Man is timid ; ho grows timid. He is no longer upright, but is forever quoting some ancient sage and predecessor, some one whoso life has been successful; and does not rely enough upon himself James Walt was not a very smart or learned man, yet he persevered in the time of his own thought and genius, regardless Mammiiii g .H'JIillMLL'