The Washingtonian., 1845-06-28
For the Washingtonien.
SOBRIETY IN YOUTH.

1 SOnhiElI I'm YOUlH II.
There is no time so critical, there is no pc
| riod in an individuals existence so fraugh
with such lively interests, as the sunny day o.
childhood. 1t is rendered so from one single
consideration, which is this: that in youth we
not unfrequently form habits, and imbibe sen
timents as lasting as life. Strongly impressed
with the belief that every person is, in great
measure, the former of his own character, and
knowing, as we do the force and influence Of
habit, should we not cultivate and practice
sobriety, among other graces and qualities, as
one of paramount importance. Ought it no,
TO claim our attention in early life, by virtue
OF the relation we at present sustain to the
world-that which we will sustain to it in
more mature years--and that which we will
hereafter sustain to future mode of being.
There is then no rank in life, however exal,-
ed; there are no circumstances, however fat
tering; there is no temporal prospect, however
bright and promising il may be, that should
prohibit us from the cherished possession of a
sober mind. Its enjoyment is one of the dear
est legacies that can be conferred on man.
Only observe its influence upon the actions and
life Of man, when his mind has expanded
when his judgment has ripened-and then re-
feet how necessary its possession by the
young. By it our wayward dispositions may
be curbed; our vitiated taste may be correct.
ed; our poisoned sentiments may be made
pure. Controlled by sobriety, the intellec,
may be directed to successful course of i'm.
provement; the affections may be fixed and
centered on suitable objects of regard the rest.
lessness of the mind may be brought to the
sweetest ease and quiet. By it unkindness is
moulded into charity, moroseness into affabil
ity, and falsehood into truth 1t transforms
idleness into industry, imprudence into eau
tion, extravaganza into economy, and Incidence
into activity and perseverance. Excess expires
at its altar; poverty shuns its presence; plenty
is its reward. Hardness Of heart yields to its
melting sympathy; cruelty bends before its
shrine; sel6shness is changed by it into gene
rosity. By its mild and savory influence, des
pair gives way for hope; misery gives way
for happiness; sorrow gives place for JOY
gloom gives way for cheerfulness II inspires
the neighbor with kindness, and the citizen
with genuine philanthropy. 1t gives success
to the ruler, and loyalty to the subject. l,
strengthens the mind Of the legislator, and j,
entwines around the brow Of the statesman
the wreath Of honor. In health it embel
lishes-in prosperity it adds sweetness te
every enjoyment--in adversely it affords con-
solafion in sickOeesit supPorts-and 10 death
it will be a solid cofnfoft. Such being the great
tendency Of sobriety during life, how necessa-
ry, then, that it should be enjoined upon the
young.
But there is one other reflection that gives
free force to this subject. 1t is this: that while
on the one hand we are forming our characters
for future usefulness, on the other it is our duty
to soften and mitigate the miseries of our aged
relatives. No obligation can be stronger than
this. Gratitude enjoins upon, and fidelity de-
mand Of US, continued respect to age. Oul
fathers and mothers have nursed US tenderly
from our infant hours. They are about to
commit to us the fields they have cultivated
the houses they have builded, and the Liberties
they have achieved; can any thing render
them more happy, than to see their rising off
spring virtuous and soberminded ? This gives
them solace, even when standing on the trem
bling verge of the grave; and with their las
expiring breath they will pronounce us "bless
ed" Ought not these considerations induce
us to refrain from the inebriating cup, and tc
practice sobriety in early life? Our future
happiness and well-being most imperatively
demand it. S.N.
Washington, June, 1915.
The gentleman who sent us the following commu-