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THE

WESTERN MONTHLY.

VOL. 1.-JUNE, 1869.-NO. 6.

OUR

WILLIAM BROSS.

UR May number contained a biographical sketch and portrait of the gallant Governor Oglesby, whose successful administration of the government of our noble State will long be remembered. We present in the current number its fitting sequel—a life history of his distinguished associate in that administration, Lieutenant Governor WILLIAM BROSS.

The subject of our sketch is one whose history is not only of great interest, but eminently instructive; it is an exemplar of the force with which the true mentality can assert its mastery over the difficulties presented by the most adverse circumstances, in shaping out the destiny of the man. True, it stands not alone, for, under the beneficent institutions of the American Republic, it is permitted to all to assert their native talent, and exert their innate or culti vated powers, to the attainment of the highest position in the scale of society. The great man of our time is self-made. He springs up from the level of a common humanity; not, as in former ages, by mounting on the shoulders of his fellows, and crushing their necks into the dust, but by building up his own pedestal more rapidly and more artistically than they, and benefiting the

throng by showing how his eminence has been achieved. Forced in early life to learn the lesson first taught in the Garden of Eden, that labor is an essential to existence, he cultivates his personal powers while exercising them to sustain life, and thus develops the energy whose constant growth gives an ever-increasing power to cope with new difficulties as they arise. The true secret of his success is industry, perseverance and integrity-qualities at the command of all, but too seldom prized till bitter experience has shown how half a life has been lost through an erroneous estimate of moral values. These solid, sombre virtues are the true gems in the mental store; the jewel of genius, whose uncertain brilliancy too often dazzles, only to mislead, is generally absent, but its lack is always supplied by an abundance of that very scarce article called common sense. The true essentials of success are the clear head, the quick eye, the accurate judgment, the hand able to execute, the will to do, and that calm self-reli ance which acts without waiting for the delay of others.

Men of this stamp are recognized by the exhibition of their superior powers, but they are not intuitively accepted as

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, by REED, BROWNE & Co., in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Northern District of Illinois.

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