Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-04-14
For the Yu.ilant; Sentinel.

Mr.. Edisor:-In again calling the attention
Of the public mind, to the subject of Primary
Schools, wish to consider another point which
l think cannot fail to augment their importance.
! refer to the duty of the youth themselves
What nation or age ever presented such in
ducements for high literary attainmeats, as are
before the American youth.
5 What nbligatiors are they under 10 their
country, and the world. Does not the united
voice of our pilgrim fathers, and those who are
still under that despotism from which they es-
capped, call alond for their faithfnlness in secu-
ring the benefit of those blessings for which our
fathers fought and bledl Nay, more, is there
not strong inducement, in the free access that
virtue, learning, and talent, has, to every sta
ton of honor, profit, or usefulness In our hap
py republic. Full well know, that the youth
of our land are not duly sensible of the stations
they will soon be called upon to occupy, in the
important affairs, pertaining to the establish
ment and spread of republican principles.
What idleness, and inactivity, is often mani
tested even by those who call themselves, or
would fain be called, students : their leisure
turned to good account. Witness the inactiv-
ity, during their study hours, and the dilige nee
with which they pursue their play, and sport, at
recess, and you will scarcely require prophets
eye to discern the fitness, or unftness, of such
to fill important stations in life. Tony fellow
youth, would say, noie is the most important
period Of your entire existedce. No period is
fraught with such fearful consequences. This
is the seed time |: sow now thorns or briars, but
remember that "Just as the twig is bent the
tree is inclined" You are starting upon mo-
mentuous career: one whose future details will
have a close, and intimate connection with the
present moments. There are contending ele-
ments filling the atmosphere you breathe; some
of them are stagnant and threaten suffocaton /;
some are poisonous, and threaten death while
others are as clear, and pure, as the chrystal
fountain. and deeper than the ocean surge
From the very constitution of the human mind,
the rising generation will be borne along by
one of these tides, and share its result.
The one leads to torpor of the mental facul-
ties and servitude of life: another leads to wrong
action based upon wrong principles, and the
other leads to honor, prosperity and virtue.
Your future happiness or misery, ignorance,
or attainments, depend primarily upon your
selves by diligence and persevering application
you may do very much unaded by other, to
place yourself in high and important stations,
and in making high literary attainments.
Who are soon to govern this great and pow
erful nation and manage its affairs, when their
fathers shall sleep in the dustl The answer is
already given the youth of our land. True, but
who among the youth, for some by their very
habits must be secluded from any participation
in its great concerns. And shall it be you
whose eye may chance to light upon this cor
VIII you feel the kin, of being
excluded from all the stations in our land which
are presented to the man of learning and abil-
ty from consciousness of having idled away
the time and opportunities of your youth!
The question is asked by the really aroused
youth, how can attain to Importance and en-
inence in community Of ability and attain
ments1 answer. 1t is requisite first, to set
before our minds some high and elevated point
at which we will aim. Again i is as important
that VIC choose the proper means TO accomplish
the end in view; and not less requisite that we
bend our inquiries towards its attainment in the
proper nse of such means, as promise success.
A pr per object sought, proper means chosen,
and dilligent application of those means can
hardly fail to place you upon an eminence far
above the vulgar idle throng.
If you have no standard or object before you,
you will fail for want of proper stimulus to ac-
ton. Consider then the ten thousand important
stations promising permanent profit and hon.
Or. Consider also that you have before you an
immortal destiny. Remember that You are the
,ons of those noble pilgrim fathers;-that you
ire E. merican youth;-that you breath the pu-
est air, and tread the purest soil, upon which
he sun has e.er shown. And then with these
and high literary attainments, will
,ou choose outfit means to secure this laudable
md, and then bend your undivided energies to-
ward its accomplishment. Then will those
blessings be perpetuated in your hands which
we're bought at the expense of our fathers blood
Ind groans, and our mothers signs and tears
And the wall of many made fatherless upon the
'attle field then will you repay the patrons and
riends of your education. Yours.
A FRIEND TO YOUTH.
BABIES" A baby in house," says Topper
SIS well-spring of pleasure, messenger of