Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-09-13
What is the Duty ofour Young Men.

watched the 81 yns of the times for the last twelve
months, that as nation VIC are approaching
crisis which must determine, to great extept
the destiny OF our republic. The whole civiliz-
ed worlois either on the verge Of, or already in
the state of revolution. Precedents are for
gotten or trampled under foot, and principles
'unheard ofbefore are asserted Compromises
have no binding force, and the laws of yester-
day may stand null and void on our statute
books tomorrow. Even the inalienable rights
of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we
are told mus, be understood in a restricted sense
and there is scarce a principle in our Consitu-
tion, Or our social system upon which the hand
! ofthe reformer is not Violently laid. Though
everything is in such an unsettled states though
the great Powers of Europe are involved in
war Of doubtful issue, and the great political
parties Of this country are trembling on the
brink of dissolution, we have no fears for the
safety ofthe Union. We have firm faith in
progress, political social and religious, and in
the Power that more than once in the history
of the world has brought order out Of confusion
and light out of darkness.
There is, however, great need of men Of the
right stamp to guide the revolutions that must
come-men with wise heads and great hearts
thinkers who have brain in their eyes and
muscles, clear, earnest and honest writers,
alive with generous impulses. These men are
to come from the Young men Of to-day, now
maturing for the struggles and triumphs that
await them, and they have no need of peculiar
culture to lit them for the positions they must
occupy-a culture which can only be supplied
by constant and profound study of the tenden-
cies ofthe times and the principles which de-
termine them. The young man OF to-day has
less TO DO with distractions and more with prac
teal thought, less with theories aud more with
actual problems than at any former period. He
has strong motive to acquire strength OF mind
and persistence Of purpose, for the world is ex-
panding before him and demands fresh supplies
Of vigor to sustain its growing life. future
full of intense and stirring life is before him,
fraught with elements which have never before
entered into the composition of society,-ee-
meuts, which must be subdued and made to do
service in the cause of human progress. 1t is
not enough that the young man leave society
rs he found it, he must enlarge its capacity, de-
velope its power, interpret its consciousness,
aud vItaIlze 1t with higher truths, more exaIIcu
principles and aims.
II is the imperative duty of every young man
to prepare hmselfto meet the crisis which are
close at hand, TO espouse zealously and heartily
every reform movement which looks to the re-
demption of humanity from oppression, and the
destruction of ali tyranny, to make common
cause with every organization which tends to
promote greater freedom and activity of mind
and encourage greater virtue. 1t should be his
purpose to get above the prin ciples of expedien-
cy which have SO long governed political men
anchor himself firmly on the eternal principles
Of right, and swear never to compromise with
wrong in .any form. Respecting precedentS
only SO far as they have developed correct theo-
ries of action, he should stand upon the dignity
of human reason, the sacredueSs of justice and
truth, and the cardinal principles of equity and
law which are intutve in the sound mind
Give us men of this character and the world
has much to expect from the revolutions that
are now aud may hereafter disturb it. Under
their control governments would become purer
and better, and society receive such an impulse
onward and upward as ii never before had.
Still it is well to remember in hese contentious
times that noise and confusion, and the boast
ing Of strength do not always indicate progress
or give evidence of power. The thinker really
governs the world 'Above all" says the most
penetrating critic of our times, 'it is ever to be
kept in mind, that not by material but by NOR !
al power, are men and their action governed. |
How noiseeSs is thought! No rolling Of drums
no tramp of baggage wagons attend its move
mentS; in what obscure aud sequeslered places
may the head be medtating which is one day !
to be crowned with more.than imperial author-
ty; for kings and emprors will be among its |
ministering servants; it will not rule over, but
IN all heads, and with those its solitary comh
nations of ideas, as with magic formulas bend
the world to its wi!'- Country Gentleman.
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