Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1854-10-05

Puo''S"ou IA VeuhoSooys PsPei, h'co'S
with such general and cordial appreciation
from all classes in the community +; we have
not heard a single dissenting voice, except
from the youngsters alluded to, and they
of course, excited by the head-strong impul-
ses of early youth, are very indignant. But
when few more years have passed over
them, they will look at the matter in very
different and more sensible light from what
they now do, and they will then sincerely
thank us for the real kindness which we
are now rendering them, provided they, or
some of them, are not previously ruined by
the influences Of these demoralizing dens.
The youth and juveniles of the city, even
the very ones who are connected with the
club-rooms In question, have no warmer
and truer friend than ourselves, and no one
who would do more, in the most earnest
and cheerful manner, for their intellectual
and moral welfare than ourselves We
are not 80 far advanced in life that we do
not well remember all the impulses and
vagaries of youth, and the natural inclina-
tons of the human heart to run into great
excesses, at that particular and very import
ant period of life, where these young lads
now are. Somewhat removed from that
age, but with fresh and vivid recollections
of the snares which constantly endanger
the youthful mind, and now fully impressed
with the importance of careful cultivation
Of all the faculties which God has endowed
us with,-aud considering the immense
value of those precious moments, and the
greater cares and responsibilities which will
soon rest upon these young m.n, we have
been induced TO speak upon this subject
At the same time, we do it with no il-feel-
ings,--on the contrary, it is natural kind
ness of heart, and deep solicitude which
we feel for their welfare, even amid all
their scornful derision, which induces us to
open so unpleasant subject, and call the
attention of parents and others to condi-
ton of things which many of them are not
probably aware of. A parent Furnishes a
child, and the act causes pain, while the
child, in the weakness of its juvenile imagi-
nation, supposes that the parent enjoys the
operation, while the child regards the pun
ishment as exceedingly cruel yet the pa
rent, If he is prudent nan and good IA
ther, is more panied by the act than the
child,-still he does it from sense of duty,
and the child, in after years, will warmly
and gratefully acknowledge its justice.
In writing the article already alluded TO,
we supposed that we were in possession Of
all the facts that could exist, relative to
these club-rooms ; but since then we have
been amazed at the amount of information
which we have received from the most
authentic and reliable sources. To speak
painly, then, not tithe of the truth has
been told many facts have been given us,
in confidential manner, which, of course
we cannot make use of, and which there is
at present no necessity TO make public, be-
cause they would accomplish no immediate
good to any one, but would seriously in
lure the characters of some OF the young
sters who belong to these clubs,--and we
certainly would do nothing of this kind,
because our only object is to benefit these
young men, and to bring the evil to the
attention of parents, so that the rooms may
b. broken up as speedily as possible. We
know of instances where some Of these
lads, considering their age and circumstau-
ces, have purloined large and alarming
sums from their employers, for the sole
purpose of bearing their part, or " hat they
chose to make their part, of sustaining the
expenses Of the club-rooms, and the other
vices of dissipation which are occasioned
by them. We do not charge all the men,
bers of the clubs with these sins,-some of
them are undoubtedly innocent,-but it is
morally certain that others are guilty, and
some hare been detected of crimes at that
early age, which had it not been for the ex-
treme leuiency of those whom they wrong
ed, would have sent them to the State
Prison, for series of years. Ii is, indeed,
melancholy to reflect upon such depravity,
and that, too, at such tender age Vice,
in the maturity of life, or in hoary-headed |
age, is painful enough at any ratc,-bdt
when we see gentle and promising youth,
in the earliest morning of existence, sur.
rounded by all that is bright and cheering,
and with every prospect Of success before
them, fall from the summit of virtue and
innocence TO the pit of degradation and
crime,-we are all more than willing to
make the most strenerous efforts TO save |
the fair flowers ere the biighing mildews
of rankest sin shall have placed them bey-
ond the reach and curing influences Of love,
mercy and anxiousiy devoted care. In the
almost desert waste Of life, amid all its |
cares, vicissitudes and sorrows, maturity |
and age turn from oil these to the sweet |
purity Of extreme youth, as the weary wan
derer on lone and burning desert, sips the
refreshing waters of a crystal stream
The man Of years who has had all the |
experiences of life, feels an interest in the |
precarious condition Of youth, which no
ready tongue can portray, and no eloquent
pen can dsseritv.