Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-08-13

Examples and their influence.

Small things, not unfrequently, influence
young persons TO do that, which proves to
be lasting injury; not only to themselves,
but TO those by whom they are surrounded /;
while II equally ira inducements, Of an oppo-
site nature were held out to them, the same
Individuals would follow those inducements,
and receive an amour! Of good, sufficient to
cheer them through many weary hours Of
suffering and sorrow. The youthful mind is
like the magnetic needle resting on its pivot;
generally pointing towards The right, as the
needle does TO the north yet made to deviate
from that position in either direction, by che
slightest causes
The habits, which they contract are, in a
great degree, fCrmed by the influences which
surround them. Az this age the mind is as
easily impressed with ideas of the low and
sensual as with the pure and noble And for
this reason, ii for none other, examples worthy
Of imitation should be held out to them, and
however vicious their minds may naturally
be, they cannot fail to initiate them, at least
in measure.
| Observation teaches, that while the innuen-
ces Of neighboihood are of salutary ma.
ture, the youth of that place will be noted for
| the purity Of their morals and the nobleness
of their acts. But should it on the contrary
be prcvaded with pernicious influences, un
less the best Of cultivation is had at home,
waywardness and sensuaiity will usurp the
place of all the better qualities of the heart
Man, at best, is but an unstabled being, and
all, or nearly all, the foies which he commits,
from the cradle TO the grave, are the result,
either directly, or indirectly, Of the chilling
and blightning examples after which he has
patterned Men occupying humble position
in society, and especially young men, are apt
to look up 10 those who are in the higher
walks Of life (as the world styles them) for
examples And this being the case, it would
seem TO be necessary, very decessary, for the
well-being Of the great mass of mankind, that
individuals, occupy ing an influential position
in society, should be men of good morals
such as would be likely to afford worthy ex-
ampcs. And il would seem to be especsaHy
necessary that; such should be elected TO our
responsible Offices, for their influence goes
very FIR tow Yards forming the morals of COM
munity, particularly those who are chosen to
enact our laws. For by those laws whether
wholesome or unwhocsome, whether calcu.
'''NN W P'NbNSt VI oOOCtOt HuSt We DC
governed while they exist; and it depends
upon us, electors, to say who shall make our
laws; we, and we alone, are in the fault, if
unfit, immoral or Incorporate men are eleva-
ted to our State Legislature.
II has been and ever will be conceded.
that men, with sane minds, are responsible
for their acts &; & this being the case, it behooves
us, as an intelligent community, TO see to it
that we do our duty in this one thing. For
it is one of vast and vital Importance to the
happiness and prosperity of our country, as
well as to the almost numberless youths, BY
which we are surrounded. 1t depends, en-
tirely, upon us, whether the rising generation
shall be one Of bachiDalian re yelers, devoid
Of reason and of morality, or whether they
shall be men, retaining the same noble mind,
and unpoluted soul which The God of nature
always gives TO man. And if the former is
the cause, in the great day Of retribution,
when we are called upon TO answer FOR our
acts of omission as well as of commission, we
shall have more for which TO answer than the
widows sighs and the orpha MS tears-we
shall have the souls Of men, who have gone
down to drunkard grave. w. X.
Clyde Aug, 1853.