Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 3.djvu/252

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238 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

of Walker the Filibuster, the romantic aspect of Garibaldi, the yellow curls of Custer these witness to the value of physical traits. Perfection of physique certainly subdues. The old Teu- tons loved to recognize in their leader the supreme manly beauty of the true god-descended Amal or Balth. Manner, as already shown, apropos of ceremony, 1 is perhaps the key to pure per- sonal fascination. The born master is he who is able to radiate his desires into a passive circle disposed to prompt imi- tation. Manner serves him because of its value in suggesting belief and confidence in himself. Primitive chieftains, a sachem like Logan, a sheik like Abd-el-Kader, are renowned for their superb dignity. For winning, rather than merely impressing, the peculiar cordiality of a "magnetic" Clay or Elaine is potent. Even tricks have their effect, and we must not ignore the his- trionism of Houston, Jackson, or Napoleon.

Of mental qualities strength of will is of course the invaria- ble prerequisite ; but faith in one's self and imagination are the real architects of vast personal authority. Those who win mul- titudes for some great enterprise a crusade, a conquest, or a canal are invariably great promisers. A royal imagination, coupled perhaps with the ecstatic temperament and equipped with eloquence, enables them to bedazzle their followers with prospects, and a tremorless faith in themselves and their cause inspires confidence of success. Such men were Mahomet, Cortez, Pontiac, Madame Kriidener, De Lesseps, El Mahdi. Courage and persistence avail. The man who bears up when others despair, is cool when they are excited a Luther or a Brigham Young acquires in time large influence. The most stupendous enterprise of all time is the campaign against the unsocial self, and in this the master qualities of a leader are generosity and love. Disinterested paladins of justice like Kos- suth or Chinese Gordon, great lovers like Saint Francis or Liv- ingstone, surpass all other influences in the power to call forth supreme personal devotion.

Such are the elements of natural prestige. But a man over-

1 See the seventh paper of this series.