Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 September 1895 — HOW TO BECOME GREAT. [ARTICLE]

HOW TO BECOME GREAT.

SOME VARIED OPINIONS UPON A SUBJECT OF REAL INTEREST. Why Social, Political, Literary and Business Ambitions Enchain Men’s Attention—Diligence, Perseverance, and Genius May Be of Some Help, bnt It la Ingenious Advertising that Tells in the Long Kun—Many Instances that Prove This True. Every man who is worthy of that title desires public recognition. Socially he would be letter known and respected. If he assumes to ignore what is generallyknown as “society," he surely turns to some other kindred ambition. Politics may engross his attention, and, if he would rise in that line he must, by personal address, by party services, or by public speaking, win the confidence and good will not only of his own party, but of the wider public. If as a student he buries himself in a library, and works through lonely days and nights, still, it is only in the hope of leaving some work “so writ, as future ages shall not willingly let die.” Socially, politically, in art or literature, yes, even in commerce, the desire for a wider publicity is inspiring and ennobling. Ambition is a strong virtue until it steps beyond prudence or proper modesty. “By that sin fell the angels," and thousands of thoughtless mortals who try to rush in where the better angels fear to tread, destroy all hopes of public approval. Their rudeness ruins them socially. Their eagerness for office defeats their political aspirations. Their ambition for rapid recognition clouds their literary efforts. Their “penny dips” are blown out before they have set the river afire. In business little fools ape the actions of successful men until whole hordes are following Wanamaker's advertising or imitating the Rising Sun stove polish, or copying the plans of really successful houses. The publie measures them quickly—they are asses cio’thed in lions’ skins. The first rule of real success is to be original. Not strangely, queerly original —but that every act and utterance shall spring from an honest interior. It is not possible to achieve greatness by imitation. Ileal greatness often comes to men of humble birth and surroundings, whose hearts are true and firm, while in times which try the souls of men the feeble and vacillating ones are swept aside as by a plague. Arnold of Winkelried was a private soldier, but his brave act in burying a dozen spears in his own breast to make way for his fellow soldiers won him a deserved immortality. Bunyan’s simple but heart-told story surpasses in wide publicity any literary effort of the greatest of scholars. The simplest articles have built up the greatest trade successes. It was a farmer who was kindly trying to amuse his little children who invented the now famous “Pigs in Clover,” and it paid him better than a gold mine. But as an instance of solid success, built up by honest means, used to popularize a simple but original article, Sapolio gives us a capital illustration. It is a solid cake of scouring soap, but it is the best of its kind —its manufacturers have never altered or neglected its quality. It is an article naturally of moderate consumption, but it is used everywhere. Not in the United States only, where, from California to Maine, it is a household word, but in India, China, and Japan, in Australia and all the countries of South America, it marks the progress of civilization by its mere presence. Its traveling salesmen can claim in common with itself that they scour the world! The methods used in conducting its vast business rival in careful consideration the conduct of enterprises apparently more important, but the lecret of its success is that no honest method of obtaining and of retaining public attention is neglected. Look at the limple little cake of Sapolio, lying half used, perhaps, on the kitchen sink, and try to realize that the sun never sets on its sales. Consider that it cost you but a few cents, although its manufacturers spend hundreds of thousands in advertising it to the millions whom they wish to remind. It is like a fairy tale. Aladdin rubbed his lamp to no better purpose than the public does Sapolio, for, as a universal servant, its services are without measure, and its worth brings back golden returns to its owners.

How has such wide popularity been obtained? By original merit and patient perseverance. Probably the most interesting side of the story lies in the well-known advertising which has been used. We can reveal some of its methods. Its advertising department is presided over by a man who talks proverbs at breakfast,, dinner and supper, and twists them to fit Sapolio while the rest of the world sleeps. An artist is employed by the year, although countless sketches and ideas are contributed by outsiders. Poets—not mere rhymesters-—are paid to tell its merits in original verses, and the most novel schemes are made use of to attract attention. Two hundred and fifty thousand boxes of dominoes were sent out last year. Japan furnished twenty thousand feathered owls and fifty thousand puzzles, besides thousands of hand-painted panels. Domestic puzzles passed away long ago but not until millions of them had been used. Pamphlets are printed in vast numbers, and the famous Sapolio alphabet has nearly reached its tenth million. Five hundred dollars will rent a large farm, but it goes to pay for one half-page insertion in a daily paper. Yes, one thousand dollars has been paid for a single column in a weekly paper, but of course the circulation, like the consumption of Sapolio, was enormous. Bold methods they may' well be called when over two thousand dollars is paid for the rental of one sign on the most prominent building in America. As odd methods we may mention the employment of an “advertising orator” who made stump speeches in all the principal cities and the posting of signs reading “Keep off the Grass” on all the snow banks in New York after its great blizzard. But our readers know only too well how thoroughly it is advertised. Every city, town and railroad is decorated with its signs; the magazines publish its pictures ;°the street cars are enlivened by its proverbs; the newspapers continually remind the public of its merits. But even if it was not so prominent in its own behalf, the dozens of imitators who try to impose their wares on the public, as “just as good as Sapolio,” would prove to the world that it was the standard. Who can read the bright verses which tell us how to make this world brighter without the tribute of a smile? Who ean glance at their pictures without admitting that advertising is an art itself? We have not room for many, but feel that this article would be incomplete without some specimens of them.

Abou Ben Kelly. Abou Ben Kelly (may her tribe increase) Was much disturbed one night and had no peace; For there upon the wall within her room, Bright with the moonlight that dispelled the gloom, A man was scribbling with a wand of Now, Mrs. Kelly was a warrior bold, And to the presence in the room she said, “What writest thou?” The scribbler raised his head. And with a look that made Ben Kelly hot. Answered: “The name of that which leaves no spot.” “And what is that?” said Abou. “Not so fast,” Replied the scribbler. Kelly opened vast Her mouth angelic; then in whisper said, , “What is this marvel, quick? I must to bed.” The scribbler wrote and vanished. The next night He came again with much awakening light, And showed the names that nations long have blessed.

And to! Sapolio'* name led all the rest The Monogram U. 8. There is a little monogram . We see where'er we go; > It offers us protection Against a foreign foe. It stands for light and progress w In every foreign clime, And its glory and its greatness Are the themes of many a rhyme. But few have ever really known. And few would ever guess What our country means by marking All her chattels with U. S.; It may stand for United States, Or yet for Unele Sam; But there’s still another meaning To this simple monogram. We see it on our bonds and bills. And on our postal cards; It decorates our Capitol, Shadowed by Stripes and Stars. In all our barracks, posts and fort* “ plays a leading part, And the jolly sailor loves it And enshrines it in his heart. .^ ave y° u guessed the message Which these mystic letters bear? Or recognized the untold good They’re spreading everywhere? Echo the joyful tidings, ' And let the people know That the U. S. of our nation means »Ve —Use Sapolio. A Ballad of May. You must wake and call me early: ' Call me early, Bridget,- do, For to-morrow’s such a busy day I fear we’ll ne’er gbt through With the scrubbing and the cleaning. And the scouring up, you know, If it wasn’t for our tried old friend, Morgan’s SAPOLIO. “Needles and pins, needles and pins, M hen a man marriss his trouble begins.” But all of us know that it would not be so If he would provide her with S-A-P-O-L-I-O. Lament of the Emigrant. I’m sitting on the stile, Mary, Where we sat long ago. I’ve walked a many a mile, Mary, To find Sapolio. I mind me how you told, Mary, When we were side by side. Its match could not be bought for gold In all the world so wide. Qur home was bright and fair, Mary, xou kept it so for aye, And yet had time to spare, Mary; Would you were there to-day. You made the work but play, Mary; All women might do so, And all should know the charm you say Lies in Sapolio. But now I sit and weep, Mary, Nor fear to break your rest, For I laid you, darling, down to sleep, With your baby on your brenst The graves are not a few, Mary. Hard work brings many low; It was not so with you, Mary, You used Sapolio. Rebus. When lingers spring in winter’s lap, And thoughts of love are rife, To get my first, the trees they tap; “The sweetest thing in life.” When winter evening firesides cheer And music fills the soul, heigho; When mixed selections charm the ear, My second is in the folio. Like “sunshine in a shady place,” My whole each object heightening, Makes labor light, and work delight; It cleans “as quick as lightning.”