discover heavenly bodies rather than cooking recipes. The words, "Republic

needs" in the next sentence, are emphatic; they introduce a new and important

idea. Republics have always needed men, but the author says they need _NEW_ men.

"New" is emphatic because it introduces a new idea. In like manner, "soil,"

"grain," "tools," are also emphatic.

 

The most emphatic words are italicized in this selection. Are there any others

you would emphasize? Why?

 

The old astronomer said, "Give me a _larger_ eye, and I will discover _new

stars_ and _suns_." That is what the _republic needs_ today--_new men_--men who

are _wise_ toward the _soil_, toward the _grains_, toward the _tools_. If God

would only raise up for the people two or three men like _Watt_, _Fulton_ and

_McCormick_, they would be _worth more_ to the _State_ than that _treasure box_

named _California_ or _Mexico_. And the _real supremacy_ of man is based upon

his _capacity_ for _education_. Man is _unique_ in the _length_ of his

_childhood_, which means the _period_ of _plasticity_ and _education_. The

childhood of a _moth_, the distance that stands between the hatching of the

_robin_ and its _maturity_, represent a _few hours_ or a _few weeks_, but

_twenty years_ for growth stands between _man's_ cradle and his citizenship.

This protracted childhood makes it possible to hand over to the boy all the

_accumulated stores achieved_ by _races_ and _civilizations_ through _thousands_

of _years_.

 

--_Anonymous_.