The Daily Cincinnati Republican, And Commercial Register

Truly Great Men.—The world is full of what are termed "Great Men." The individual who can, on certain occasions, perhaps once or twice in a year, utter "great swelling words," is straightway baptised a "great man." We would not be thought singular, yet with all humility we must beg to dissent from public opinion on this subject.

Take any "great" man—for instance Daniel Webster—he is a lawyer. You have a case in court—you employ him as your counsel—you desire his opinion as to the result—you ask him if he can gain your case—he tells you "it is uncertain." You ask why it is uncertain—your cause is good—it is founded upon the immutable principles of eternal justice—then why is the result uncertain? Does truth ever change?

Ask a carpenter if he can build a house; a tailor if he can make a coat, and they will not tell you "it is uncertain." Why should there be any more uncertainty upon a point of law, than in making a pair of shoes? We come to the conclusion that he who is certain of an end when he employs the means, is a greater man than he who depends upon chance and contingency for the result." Therefore my shoemaker is a greater man than Daniel Webster.—N. H. Examiner.