The soldier has controlled the finances of banking systems and revolutionized labor, society, and arts with his inventions.  They saw poor Cuba, beautiful as her surf and femininely sweet as her luscious fruits, tortured in chains.  They saw her lovely form through the blood that covered her, and Dewey, Sampson, Schley, Miles, Merritt, Sigsbee, Evans, Philip, Alger, and McKinley of the Grand Army led the forces to her rescue.  The Philippines in the darkness of half-savage life were brought unexpectedly under our colors because Dewey and his commanders were in 1898 just the same heroes they were in 1864.

“At the bidding of Meade Post, then, I welcome you and bid you farewell.  This gathering was in the line of duty.  Its spectacle has impressed the young, inspired the strong man, and comforted the aged.  The fraternity here so sincerely expressed to-night will encourage us all to enfold the old flag more tenderly, to love our country more deeply, and to go on in every path of duty, showing still the spirit of ’61 wherever good calls for sacrifice or truth for a defender.”

CHAPTER XXXIV

AS A WRITER

His Rapid Method of Working.  A Popular Biographical Writer.  The Books He Has Written.

Still the minutes are not full.  The man who learned five languages while going to and from his business on the street cars of Boston finds time always to crowd in one thing more.  Despite his multitude of other cares, Dr. Conwell’s pen is not idle.  It started to write in his boyhood days and it has been writing ever since.

His best known works are his biographies.  Charles A. Dana, the famous editor and publisher of the New York “Sun,” just before his death, wrote to Harper Brothers recommending that Mr. Conwell be secured to write a series of books for an “American Biographical Library,” and in his letter said: 

“I write the above of my own notion, as I have seldom met Mr. Conwell; but as a writer of biographies he has no superior.  Indeed, I can say considerately, that he is one of America’s greatest men.  He never advertises himself, never saves a newspaper clipping concerning himself, never keeps a sermon of his own, and will not seek applause.  You must go after him if you want him.  He will not apply to you.  His personal history is as fascinating as it is exceptional.  He took himself as a poor back country lad, created out of the crude material the orator which often combines a Webster with Gough, and made himself a scholar of the first rank.  He created from nothing a powerful university of high rank in Philadelphia, especially for the common people.  He created a great and influential church out of a small unknown parish.  He has assisted more men in securing an education than any other American.  He has created a hospital of the first order and extent.  He has fed the poor and housed large numbers of orphans.  He has written many books and has addressed more people than any other living man.  To do this without writing or dictating a line to advertise himself is nothing else than the victory of a great genius.  He is a gem worth your seeking, valuable anywhere.  I say again that I regard Russell H. Conwell, of Philadelphia, as America’s greatest man in the best form.  I cannot do your work; he can.”