Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-07-24
Young Men.

There is an enthusiasm in Young Men which gives
them decided advantage over Old Men, however ex-
perienced and enlightened the latter may be. The
time has past when it was deemed essential that
"sprinklng of gray hairs should adorn the head of
the legislator of any acting in public
pacity. We yield to no one in respect for those
whom ''years have crowned with the frosty diadem
OF wisdom" but at the same time we must be per-
mltted to rejoice that Young Men are now taking an
active part in political well social affairs. Al
exander yet Young Man when he wept on the
banks of the Indus because he had no more worlds
TO conquer. PITT Young Man when he adyo-
Gated American rights in the British Parliament and
so was THOMAS JEFFERSON when he drafted the
immortal Declaration of Independence; and so, too
was WAsHINGTON, when he accepted the appoint
mentof Commander-in-Ch Of all the Virginia
forces
Far be it from us 10 say that Old Men are not en-
titled to consideration, that their counsel is not
worth the having We reverence the sage who sits
down at the council fire and imparts to his juniors
the results of his refectonS-the ripe products Of
years devoted to the Public Good. We honor the
Patriarchs Of the land, and delight to bold
with them,-to 90 with them the string events
Of the past and TO learn of them VISIONS ways.
Let it not be said, therefore, that seek to dis
parage their claims upon public regard, to utter
one word against their taking prominent part in
the busy scenes of life But Old Age is Conserva-
tive, while Youth is Progressive. The former will
hesitate when the latter will be prompt 10 act The
one is prone TO put up with things they are, the
Otner ClucneS ateyery tDlng promising advancement
True II is that sometimes the Young run after the
impracticable but is it not better TO fail asionally
than to stagnate from dull inaction.
The responsibility resting upon the Young Men Of
America is vast and momentous They must soon in
the of nature take The places of their fathers
and the more necessary is it, therefore, that they
should be qualified 10 them; and in what way
this be accomplished save by active partcpa-
ton in the public affairs of the day! This is our rea-
son for desiring Young Men to put themselves for
ward. As il is, in political contests, they have the
most to do, for Energy and Hope the twin char
actcristics of ambitious Youth.
In our Stale Legislatures, as well in Congress,
we want more Young Men-more ardent souls and
fewer crafty politicians i'm whom the fires of ingenu-
Gus Youth have long since been quenched and who
have become caouS to those finer and freSher feel
mgs and sympaihies which impart grace and beauty
TO human actions. We have too much of party SEN
tment and too little of national patri0tsm-too much
of self and too little of liberal Craftsmanship.
When we send man TO Congress want him e
look above and beyond his own interests or the inter
ests Of his own State. While we would have him bs
watchful of the rights of his immediate constituents
we would desire him to EXPAND bimsef,-to open BIZ
heart to all sections OF our extended Union-rem
embering that he represents not one State, but al
the States, bound together by the strongest ties o
fraternal affection.
This is our ideal Of true American Stateman
We do not say that such an one as we have sketche,
cannot be found among Old Men, or that we hav
not at the present time many a living embodiment O
that ideal. But we do say that among the Yorn,
Men Of the nation score could be found where nov
we see only an occasional example.