'BmnUA. in t^B mterasts nt the Stttd^nis, 'I^JkJaOJi 03XJV.TJL VI2VC1T.' VOLUME IV. UNIVERSITY OF XOTRE DAME, INDIANA, AUGUST 12, 1S71. NUMBER 25. manner of his death the common fate of those character a stain which no victory however great Heroes. whose ambition aims at titles of imperishable could eflace. f.ime. Yet the title of hero and epithets of praise Bet let us wander back to the age of the early "Who is tlie hero? The world replies: "He who are ostentatiously conferred upon these vainglo­ Christians. Oh, there will we find true heroic overcomes in battle and subdues nations,—who rious warriors. "Weave not laurels to deck the courage and fortitude! Glorious martyrs, who brings home spoils gained by immense destruction brow of such heroes; honor not with songs of rather than forsake their holy Faith, fearlessly of liuman life. A conqueror who leaves behind praise the deeds of such fame-seeking men! But present themselves to be torn in pieces by rav­ nothing but ruin wlieresoe'er he roves." Such are let laurels reward the memory of those who enous beasts! God's glorious heroes! they are the lauded heroes of the world. He who jjoes with unshaken courage plant in honor's field the the laurelled warriors of heaven's empire. Yt;t forth to battle tilled with an ardent desire of victory banner of justice, and heroically prevail or per­ though all may not be patriotic warriors nor no­ for thesake of human applause,—who unrelentingly ish in its cause. Honors then are not injudi­ ble defenders of justice and religion, "all may spares neitlier age nor sex, but leaves everywhere ciously conferred, but deservedly bestowed. "Who be heroes. The man who rules his spirit is devastation and ruin that he may return laden with ever merited in a higher degree the title of he­ greater than the one who takes a city. Hence spoils,—liim docs tlie world crow^n'with immortal roes than the noble kniglits errant whose sole it merely follows if each might have domin­ laurels." Sesostris, whose ambition aimed at noth- aim was the protection of innocence from the ion of himself, and each" would govern wisely thing less than the conquest of the whole world,— cruel sway of tyrants, and whose noble ambition and thus show truth, courage, power, benevo­ who in the short sp'ice of nine years rendered trib­ was to exercise their valor in the cause of jus­ lence, and all that adorns a princely soul, by the utary nearly all the nations of the globe, was loaded tice and religion. Nor were ever greater courage exercise of private virtues, then each w^ill be a with glorious crowns and titles, and honored with and fortitude displaj-ed than by these devoted prince, a hero still greater. He will be man in the the name of hero. "When we consider the motives champions of right. Like the bright star which likeness of his Maker "—a true hero in the sight which prompted the conquering Alexander, though cheers the lonely voyager, these devout soldiers of Goil and the angels—a hero who will receive no prince ever surpasstd or even equalled him in spread everywhere the cheering rays of hope and unfading laurels from the King of kings. consolation. rapidity of conquest and brilliancy of exploits, we AUGUSTA STUKGIS. cannot refrain from exclaiming that the epithet But on Historj''s wide page there is a name St. Mirt/'s Academy, June 17,1S71. " Great" is upon him undeservedly bestowed, unless which warms the coldest heart, and presents to greatness consists in ravaging the earth and re­ the mind of the youthful reader the noble char­ ducing an iutinite number of persons to slavery acter of one whose integrity and patriotism, pure Walter's Setun. and utter distress. Yet notwithstanding the mul­ motives and unblemished reputation, render him titude of excesses into which his ambition led worthy of the universal esteem and love of every BX USCLE CH.ABLIE. him, he has been flattered with all the honors true admirer of intrepidity and virtue. 'Tis that It was on a cold, dreary night In the latter part due a hero. Pride and ambition are ever, accord­ of the American hero—the brave, the noble "Wash- of November, 18—, that a solitary horseman dashed ing to the world, the essential qualities of a ton. "Well may this land of the "West boast of along, at an almost reckless speed, on the road hero. Thougli not u:iways attended by success, such a truly heroic statesman and wtirrior. "Well which ran northwest from the city of New Yoric, the warrior who possess in a high degree these may the poet exclaim, chanicterislics is unhesitatingly pronouiiced a he­ (then a growing seaport town.) This fearless " Let others boast their satellites, rider appeared to have reached the age of about roic man. "What won for the world-reuowued Thou hast the morning star." Annibal such immortal fame? Not always did thirty-five, and wore the uniform of a naval officer he receive the victor's crown,—^yet his ambition Self-sacrifice and generosity, combined with pru­ of high rank, but on this occasion Iiis official dress and priJe, indomitable courage and determination dence and moderatioii, as well as valor and war­ was concealed by a huge waterproof cloak, and his of reveiige, made the mightiest nations tremble like genius, have won for him the admiration of head Wiis protected from the dashing rain by a at the s.iund of his name. "With Annibal as a the present age and generations to come. His common tarpaulin instead of his gold-banded eip. leader, none feared to brave the fiercest enemy. praises will never cease to resound throughout WheJ he had ridden about four miles, he reined But this greate-t hero of the age in which he the nation which he so nobly defended and wise­ in his powerful steed and looked around him an­ lived—who displayed almost superhuman courage ly governed. Among those whose noble deeds xiously for a moment; then, as if not quite satisfied on the tield of battle—had not suthcient moral have merited undyijg praise, there will ever be with his investigation, he spoke in a scarcely audi­ courage to survive a defeat, but fell by his own associated the name of Washington. In connec­ ble voice: hand, a victim to despair. Such was the close tion with this great hero of patriotism, the dis­ "It cjinnot be far from here, and yet I scarcely of the careir of one whom the world has ever interested Laf.iyette claims our highest esteem recognize the place; but it must be the darkness since tsteeineJ as one of her greatest heroes. and veneration. Contrast the noble character of that deceives me,—though I was sure I would kno w this renowned p.itriot with the blemished repu­ the old road even with my eyes shut. However, Amo.ig those whose names have been rendered tation of the fame-seeking Napoleon! In the one it is a loag time now, and I have travelled over most cons^picuous for lidelity to nought save their shines forth the pure love of liberty; in the oth­ many roads since last I passed over this." aml)ition, must be remembered the invincible er, the unjust selfish love of power animates his "With this he put his horse into an easy canter Caaar and his famous rival the indefatigable every act The former sacriticiag the pleasures and proceeded on his way, peering into the dark­ Pompey. Nothing but the highest rank m the and comforts of his native home, to fight in the ness on every side. Presently a gleam of light as state could satisfy their ambitious cravings and cause of a distant nati(m—and after contributing from a heiirth-fire, caught his eye, but a short dis­ to every means, lawful or unlawful, these artful to its liberty desired not the honors and reward tance ahead, and close to the road. He spurred rivals resorted to reach the goal of their ambi­ of the people in whose cause he fought, but forward with wild impatience, and in ten minutes tion. But the proud Pompey, who could not en­ modestly retired to his own country. halted in froat of a respectable country mansion, dure the thought of an equal, was finally obliged How contrary the spirit which animated the through the windows of which the light streamed to acknowledge in Caj^ar a superior. Yes, he ambitious Napoleon! Not content with the glory as if inviting the weary and benighted traveller to who had so oilen been honored with the title of which his victories conferred upon him, he was enter and rest himself till the return of day. The hero, was compelled to fly to a dist-int nation— filled with a jealous fear of a rival in the Duke horseman dismounted quickly, and leading his where he received, not the glorious titles and of Enghien; and trembling lest his power decrease, noble animal through the gate, proceeded carefully laurels of victory, but at the hand of assassins a unmercifully caused the assassination of the un­ towards the house—oa reaching which he fastened merciless death. fortunate duke, giving ample testimony of his the bridle to a tree and approached the door. Here The ever victorious Cajsar, too, exhibits by the love of power and fame, and leav'mg upon his he paused, and bending a knee to the earth he NOTRE DAME SCHOLASTIC.