The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-11-08
THE YOUNG MAN.

WHO that has passed the season Of youth and
gone into manhood, has not looked back with
many sigh, and almost murmured aloud, that he
could not here and there have received such hints
as would have prevented mistakes? Who has not
looked back, and, with sadness that is inexpress-
ible, seen how in youth he formed habits that are
to abide through life, how his character was
moulded into shapes that are little less than
deformities, and how his mind was taught to roam
in paths that barren of all that can yield food
or refreshment? And who that has not mourned
that he is doomed to pass through life, accomplish
ing little or nothing; neither meeting the hopes
of friends nor satisfying his own conscience
vainly looking for some outward circumstances to
push him to do that which inward energy alone
can move man to do-and all because, in his
youth, he had not such hints, such instructions,
and such counsels as would have made him
character altogether different' If my own expe.
renee accords with that of Others, the very
attempt to throw light in the pathway of the
young men of this land, is praiseworthy. Should
the attempt be failure, shall have the consola-
~
succeed in any measure in accordance with my
wishes, my heart would rejoice
When do define what meant by character,
would say, it is that which makes free and nte-
gent beings have confidence in you. The very
definition shows you that it must be of slow
growth. You cannot acquire it in day nor in
| a year. marksman makes a wonderful shot
| and it is known and talked about; young
lawyer makes one eloquent plea and by seizing a
strong point of law which had been overlooked,
he carries the jury with him, and the effort is
talked about. A mechanic does a single job of
work with great despatch and skill, and he IS
talked about; the young farmer raises one great
crop, and it is wonder; and the young divine
throws off a sermon which is greatly admired, and
much talked of; but this is not reputation or
character-it is merely short lived notoriety.-
The physician cures in one remarkable case, and
he acquired this notoriety in an hour. But that
marksman has got to be able to make good shot;
that young lawyer has got to take the strong
points of the law and the weak ones too, many
times, and with them carry the jury with him, ere
| he has acquired the character of sound lawyer;
that young mechanic and that young farmer, have
yet TO show perseverance and skill and success
before they can acquire character; that young
divine has yet to think out many an eloquent
passage, and seize many figure of speech, and
produce many mastery strokes at reasoning, before
he can be called great preacher; and the young
physician has to hang over more than one despe-
rate case, and study the deranged body of more
than one poor sufferer, and bring up from the
borders of the grave than one patient, before
he can claim the name of a great physician.
Multitudes of young men are ruined by not
having decision enough to say no. They meet
with companions who invite them to step into a
fruit shop, or into the confectoner's, or into the
oyster cellar, or the bar room. They are perfectly
aware that they would not like to have their
parents see them 60 into such places,-they are
aware that those who entce them are as yet below
themselves in moral character, but they have not
hrmness enough to say no. When they allow
themselves to be led away once, they will again;
and they must return the compliment This is
the beginning of that course which leads TO drink
ing, to tavern suppers, to street smoking, to the
theatre, to the house of her which is the way to
hell, and then to the ruin, the utter ruin of the
young man, for time, and for eternity. y.-Rv. John
Todd.