244 FRESH FIELDS 



seldom elevate the greatest; it will never elevate 

 the meanest; it is based upon the average virtue 

 and intelligence of the people. 



There have been great men in all countries and 

 times who possessed the elements of popularity, and 

 would have commanded the suffrage of the people ; 

 on the other hand, there have been men who pos- 

 sessed many elements of popularity, but few traits 

 of true greatness; others with greatness, but no 

 elements of popularity. These last are the reform- 

 ers, the innovators, the starters, and their greatness 

 is a discovery of after-times. Popular suffrage can- 

 not elevate these men, and if, as between the two 

 other types, it more frequently seizes upon the last, 

 it is because the former is the more rare. 



But there is a good deal of delusion about the 

 proneness of the multitude to run after quacks and 

 charlatans: a multitude runs, but a larger multitude 

 does not run; and those that do run soon see their 

 mistake. Real worth, real merit, alone wins the 

 permanent suffrage of mankind. In every neigh- 

 borhood and community the best men are held in 

 highest regard by the most persons. The world 

 over, the names most fondly cherished are those 

 most worthy of being cherished. Yet this does not 

 prevent that certain types of great men — men who 

 are in advance of their times and announce new 

 doctrines and faiths — will be rejected and denied 

 by their contemporaries. This is the order of nature. 

 Minorities lead and save the world, and the world 

 knows them not till long afterward. 



