Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-12-26
Communication.
A WORD TO YOUNG MEN.

Allow me, one Of you and Nth you. &c
address you few words of encouragement
Ercry young man, whatever be his station
habits, or natural endowments, is more or
less subject to the vicissiludes of this life.
cares, and ofientimes kind word of en-.
couragement, like the sweet fragrance Of the
summer breeze, falls like the power of cl-
oquence upon his yet un6xed determination
in the labyrinth Of busy life.
Young men do you know and fully ap.
preciac the responsibility that rests upon
you! Are you DESTROYS of being respected
and influential in society? Do you aspire
:. 10 be a mar of business, scholar or a
statesman? In a word, do you desire 10
be something in this world |! If so, let me
tell you that much depends on yourself. For
tune may lavish her favors, friends may
smile, and the world may dofl' its beaver 10
the interstces of treasurer's purse, but none
of these will make man of you. You are
the architect of your own fame and destiny.
Like ;he morals of Clay, " in the poters'
hand you eau mould your destiny by the de-
termination of your own iron wildly the
resolute and fixed purpose of your thoughts"
We are asonisingly the creatures of our
will. There is " no excellence without la
bor," and how can you expect to succeed
without an effort on your own part? 1t is
impossible. When did you ever hear Of a
great work being accomplished without an
effort from the resoute heart that undertakes
it!
Any one with common observation can
look about him in his own land, and see as
plainly as truth is potent, that our greatest
men, are successful tradesmen our distin-
gushed mechanics, Our literary scholars-al
of these, or nearly ALL and others who adore
the professions and business they are en-
gagged in, have sprung up from the humblcst
walks in life. The beauty of our Repub-
lcan Government, is, that the door is left
open to the aspirations of all-thc man of
the slcdgc, or the scholar with his books.
Or institutions and government are well
calculated to the progress Of our knowledge,
and they speak word of encouragement to
every young man. Wcal,l, is no true pass.
port to power and influence. 1t is true, that
it has its influence, and very great one
! am wiilin. to admit; bat when stripped
Of its ostenIalion, and the car of misfortune
runs off the ack, how great is the fall there
Of.
Young man think not because YOU have
not wealth, or rich friends TO aid you, tina,
you are one of carth's unfortunate sons
Harbor not the thoughl-trust not the mis-.
giyings OF your yet youthful mind-that you
cannot succeed and be something.
lreoeat that much, very much, depends
upon your own excr,ons. slow can sue
ceed!' one may ask. 'The world turns her
cold shoulder upon me- says another Il am
poor and friendlcss,' says a third, sand can
not ever be any thing Discouraged one
have word of hope-a bright rainbow of
encouragement for you. You can succeed
How -! will Tell you. As YOU value your
destiny, so regard your moral habits, and
your principles. Take care that you do not
fall into the gulf of dissipa,ion-avoid it,
shun II by day and by night. Shun it, ,hi
oblivion ofloo many hopes-this tomb o
bright anticipation--of flauering prospects
and of great talents shun II, say, as 70,
would the Simeon, whose influence is death
even TO the tender fruits Of earth cannot
with language, Examples could be given
that would) impress half forcibIy enough lh
importance, the necessity of adIiering TO til,
great principles OF morality and sell. govern
ment. Without these land marks, ,hes
anchors Of our conduct and hopes, we ma,
as well give up in despair. But clothe your
self with the robe of moralny-wiih prlnci
pies that will stand the fiery ordial of time
and your path is open TO the great highwa
of influence and prosperity. Without lhes
fixed principles, these rudders Of your hopes
you will meet with disappointment, chagrin,
and often disgrace.
! would have you enjoy yourself Will
young, partake of the blessings of you'll
enter into the festivities of the holydays G
ones life, and all this, but do it in a ration
al way. Do not, because you wish 10 par
tcpale in the pleasures of life, plunge in
to that gulf whence so many prospects ar
buried. Resolve that you piH be some
thing, and act with determination worthy q
that resolution. The door is open for all
and with principles of morality, nprichlness
and industry, you need have no fears of tn
passage being closed against you.
To the young man good character j
worth more than countless thousands. Ii i
a passport to other mems confidence, guar
dian to our happiness, and the philosopher
stone of our success. His reputation {
good one) cannot be measured with none
there is no business or proprlety in tn
comparison but it is to the possessor k
bread to the hungry traveller. To the work
il is like the power of omnipotence, il is fell
known, and appreciated in the recesses @