Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-08-30
TUESDAY, AUGUST so. 1881.
Communicated.

III. Sso,caen:--I have observed in the news
papers, lately, a suggestion, that the young men
Of the United States should meet and elect dele
Gates from among themselves, for a national con-
entiu n, having for its object. the promotion OF
the cause OF HENRY CLAY and common sense and
decency. Its object is surely an excellent one,
but beg leave to express my doubts OF its pro-
priety and practicabiIty. Your correspondents,
"a Young Man. and -. r. R." approve Of
il in everv view. | do not now recolect their
arguments we'll enough to reply to them specially,
nor can lay my hands on the papers containing
them. They were not, however, powerful enough
to DESTROY the objections, | am now about to
states
/. think it improper, because il will certain
ly be the means of doing much evil, by drawing
oil the young men from their pursuits, at the
time Of life, when, more than at any other. they
iu,periousy demand their undivided attention -
'rhs time and money which will necessarily be
spent in il, by those who reside at distance
from the place of meeting, will be considerable.
The stability Of those habits of assiduous appca-
ton, which are so important to young men who
have inst launched into the busy and difficult
world. or are aboutte do it, will be endangered;
the powerfully exciting interest ofparty meetings
and elections, may tempt them TO neglect pro-
per observance Of the sond maxim, "mind your
own business 1t is certainly aPpllcab!e; for
II more nearly concerns them at their time OF
life, to be laying the foundation OF their future
Responsibility aud influence, by acquiring COM
netent knowledge Of politics OF every kind, and
earning re putat,on for prubity and industry.
a..As to is practicability. we may observe
that there are but few young men who Can aford
q, come f.om distance for the purpose OF en-
tphtening the old ones, on TIE aissirs OF ~ IA
+;en. Their time aud money are wanted for
other purposes, in which it Is Of more Importance
10 the country and themselves that they should
be expended. than IN making speeches and pass
ius resolutions about the Presidency. The OBJ
faction is not much weakened by the fact, that
the expeuse, in some cases, will be divided
among mary.
But, admitting the scheme were feasible and
proper, it may still be objected that 1t VIII De
us,iess-for there is not now time TO elect and
orcanize a convention from all parts OF the coun-
try in season to do good
Upon the whole, think that such OF our
Young men as bavevotes, had better stay at home
and he content to use them for their countrys
c,use and CLAWS; those who have not that prl-
,ilege, would do well to acquire 1t, and learn
how to exercise 1t property, which may be done
at home better than at conventions. know that
the honor of our country, and even the safety OF
her blessed institutions, require the expulsion
Of the pest which is now in power, aud believe
that HENRY CLAY is incomparably the best per-
son by whom to accomplish it. The great Con
ventiou. however, which is soon to meet at Bal
timore, will do every thing that is necessary to-
wards organizing, concentrating and directing
our strength to the attainment of this great OBJ
jcct. ANU HEN
ITEMS OF FOREIGN NEWS.