Page:Frank David Ely -Why defend the nation? Sound Americanism... (1924).pdf/65

Rh served to provide us with the silent, uninvited companionship of books and art; with the churches; with the calls of charity and of outraged virtue, to hold us true to our finer instincts.

The qualities which most closely endear men to one another are the spiritual qualities; and it should be the ambition of every man, woman, and child to cultivate these, both for the betterment of the world and for self-betterment.

The names which are blazoned the brightest on the pages of our history are the names of those who stood supreme for the simple and homely virtues. Lincoln’s greatest ambition—that of the preservation of the Union, with all that this meant to a troubled people—was granted him. By it he died a martyr to his faith in his fellow-countrymen, and by the same token is his name and fame imperishable. Such an example renews our faith in man, and reminds us that God is still in heaven, the Supreme Ruler of the Universe. Of all the qualities that history records of this great, patriotic American—our sixteenth President—his deep humility before man and God and his fine sense of justice outshine all others. He served his God; and in serving Him, better served his race and nation.

Mr. Harding’s rare qualities of statesmanship, marked as these were by the wonderful strides taken by the Nation under his wise and able leadership, are most highly respected, and they will be ever more highly prized with the passage of time as the country realizes more and more the great measure of their accomplishment. But the qualities which so endeared the late President to all were his great heart and his unvarying kindness to and consideration of all with whom he came in contact, whether personally or politically.

Haughtiness and arrogance hold others aloof, and isolate us from all that is best in life. Humility and kindness, on the other hand, enshroud us in good will, illumine our paths to success and delight our souls with the charms and personalities of our fellow men and women.

Malice causes us to be shunned as unfit and dangerous associates, or to have our hopes and ambitions incontinently crushed by a just and outraged world. Greed evokes the disgust, and vanity the contempt, of others. Mercy and justice are essential to fit men for position and place. Hope maintains our courage