nspire, but the great
statesman and diplomatist and leader in thought and action convinces,
controls and compels the admiration of all classes and creeds. Logical
thought, power of appeal and tactfulness never fail to command attention
and respect. It has always been thus, and it will unquestionably so
remain. Many really able and brilliant men, however, lack balance and
the faculty of calculation. They are too often swayed by emotions, and
their intellectual powers, which otherwise might exert a controlling
influence, are thus weakened, and often result in failure. True
greatness in a man is gauged by what he accomplished in life, and the
impress he left upon his fellow-men. It does not consist of one act, or
even of many, but rather their effect upon the times in which he lived,
and how long they endure after the actor is gone from the throng of the
living.

At the bar, in the pulpit, in the medical profession, and especially
in political life, _tact_ is the _sine qua non_ to the highest degree
of individual success. However gifted one may be, he cannot win
conspicuous laurels in any calling or avocation, if he be deficient in
tactfulness. The man who best understands human nature, knows how to
approach people, and possesses the art of leading them, is the one who
will invariably have the largest following and will possess the
greatest amount of influence over his fellows. The fact cannot be
disputed that men of great brilliancy of intellect, without tact, have
been distanced by others far less talented, who possessed the knack of
getting near to the masses with the object in view to lead and control
them. A military commander who knows how to muster and marshal his men
so as to make them most effective when a battle is pending, will be
unquestionably successful in manoeuvres and successful also in
battle; and it is equally true in statecraft, and in the learned
professions as well. The skillful tactician is master of every
situation and is the victor in every important contest. But more than
in any other calling is this true in politics. The successful leader in
legislative bodies,--he whose name is recorded on the legislative
journal as the author of the most important measures which are enacted
into laws--is, without exception, that member who is tactful,
thoughtful, industrious and sincere. It makes no difference how great
his natural endowments may be, if he be wanting in these elements his
success will be restr