The value of biography

The history of any nation, in its ideals and achievements, its motives and spirit, invariably reflects the character of its leaders. The stories of the lives and accomplishments of its great men are the windows through which is revealed the soul of the nation. The biographies of the leaders of America should be carefully studied as the means of best understanding the controlling factors in the development of our country in any given period. In these stories are revealed the combat of minds, the clash of opinions, the cunning of politicians, the ruthlessness of self-seekers, and the saving forces of those dominant leaders who inspired the people to follow them in the establishment of the ideals out of which have been created the splendid achievements of our people. In the lives of our great men are to be found the elements of righteousness, courage, justice, unselfish devotion to duty, self-reliance, initiative, and stubborn determination, the ingredients from which was brewed the virile, aggressive, and generous spirit of America. With each succeeding period of our progress in government, industry, agriculture, education, medical science, we have had the leadership of men and women devoted to public service with little thought of personal gain. In this spirit our Government was established. They who had power to assume control dared to commit that control to a free people, knowing that the ideals of liberty, justice, and individual right had been indelibly stamped upon the very souls of their countrymen. In like spirit succeeding generations have responded to the call of their leaders for the preservation of our Nation. Creative and destructive forces are in eternal conflict. The experience of the past gives us wisdom to accomplish the tasks of the present. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.