, 1853-02-26
From the Cincinnati Commc'c!a.
The Rising Generation.

II is too much the disposition Of mankind
in general, and especially of our own coun-
trymen, " live in the present and neglect
the concerns Of the future In us Ameri-
cans this disposition is quite natural, since
in the midst ofprosprrity, and encouraged
by the glorious past, we believe nothing TO
come can at CT the firm and happy position
we now enjoy. This is a mistake, and one
which, il anything, will at some distant pe-
riod, prove a dangerous rock in our ceursr.
Over-con6dence and lack Of vigilance, arc
but as columns Of sand to support the fab
ric Of liberty. And lhrsc, we fear, we
have in too great degree Too much ab-
sorbcd by the lulilmcnt of brilliant expcc-
tations, and by thoughts Of the increase Of
power and wealth, we do not, perhaps,
glance with an unprejudiced eye through
the vista of years yet unborn, and shiye to
penetrate the causes Of incidents that Diav
seem and prove disastrousto our institutions.
We reflect not enough upon the welfare of
our posterity, upon the period when our
present rulers and the present generation
shall have passed away, and new phases Of
things must necessarily exist Who are tu
be our successors, and who will control the
future destinics of our Republic The ri
sing gencralion--now Insignificant in ap-
pearance, perhaps, and presenting itself in
the form Of lads running about our cities
and over lands, as careless and ~ reckless
as though they were never to bear The du-
ties and the responsibilities of a more ma
ture condition.
This rising generation should he watched
with the most anxious solicilude, for on
them depends our hopes, and with them
rests our salvation. Our great men, in
whom we have long confdcd, are rapidly
falling into the grave, and their places must
be supplied, and by thos, loo who seem SO
unimportant. Doesit not behoove US, then,
to train with all possible assiduity, the
minds and hearts Of our youth, so that they
may moi only be able TO receive, but 10 vel
come the boon VIC must ere hong transfer to
their keeping ? Instead of allowing them to
act unchecked, and without discipline, they
should be taught the principles of truth, pa
irlotism and honor, and be inspired with
reverence for the great superiority Of this
over any other country and should Learn
BY compaIi on and contrast, the difference
between our laws and those o. foreign Slat-s.
No one will doubt that the rising genera
iion is possessed Of sufficient liberty. In.
deed in this respect they have too much,
but not Of the proper kind 1t borders up.
on RIGHTEOUSNESS rather than upon genuine
liberty Of which we have cause 10 loast.--
They would spurn contIol, even that of
their tutors and parents, and be- free and in
dependent Of everybody without cherisbin,
the true spirit Of what they should obtain
He who would govern others must first gov
erned himself, is a maxim that holds good
here, where every one of US does, to a great
or or less extent, rule both himself and 9th
ers. This tendency towards liccnliousncss
il should be the highest aim aud greatest
effort Of all philanthropisis aud patriots to
exiinguish. Let our youth be taught vir.
tue, and the power that holds in suljeclon
the passions and they will be much more
prone 10 pcrp,tuatc the inheritance that will
soon be theirs and theirs alone. A melan-
choly picture is presented BY the survey of
hundreds Of our American youth, in our
cities particularly, who grow old in vice
before they baeome mature in years, and
who become adept in dissipation before nco-
phytes in proper knowledge.
1t is useless to mOralize upon this subject
or state for the hundrelh time what every
one must know. We need and should have
reform. The rising generation must BE-
looked to, if we regard the success of our
bright example upon other nations and the
happiness Of myfiads yet unborn Each
member Of our Commonwealth should not be
satisfied with simply performing his own
duty it is but half fulfilled unless he ex-
tends his influence TO those about him, his
relatives, friends and children, aud induce
them 10 do as he has already done. Fellow
citizens, the rising generation must be our
reflex in few years 10 come can VIC be
too jealous Of their condition and career