Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-08-04
MISCELLANY.
For the Vermont Phoenix.
YOUNG AME RIGA d.
ny THE DocToR.

A French writer, in q work on Democracy,
contrasting Europeans with Americans, pro-
nounces the latter, ripper, more sef-relant and
generally better fitted for whatever enterprise,
at sixteen, than the former are at twenty-five
years Of age. He accounts for this from the
fact that republcanism, by asserting the sover-
eighty of the individual man, leads TO his d.
vorce from reliance on any other man or class
of men, either for his course of action, or his
opinions. In the monarchy with it feudal
castles and institutions, the people are linked
by a regular series of dependencies, from the
hovel to the throne, and all action and opinion
are regulated, more or less, by Authority, plac-
ing the lower class in bondage to the higher and
everywhere, in all classes, restraining and bind
ing down the individual man. The result is
seen in the national and individual character.
Manhood ripens, not of its own inherent force,
hut slowly according to the repressve usaees
of society. As the grown man relies npon
society to direct his action and form his opn-
ions, so the youth revolves within the circle OF
home. until his parents have marked ont his
way of life and fitted him for the journey. In
the Republic all this is different. Individual in
dependence of thought and action, is the para
mount characteristic. The consciousness OF
individual sovereignty, and that all power, Of
flee and honor in public or other service is open
to the ambition and grasp of every man, be-
ing confined to no age or class, anirnates
whole people, and urges into ripeness all the
activities and powers of the individual man.
And though there may be public opinions and
general habits and customs, they are but small
bar TO the individal whose disposition or genius
may incline 10 innovations. Every man feels
to act for himself to select his own course,
and pursue il in his own way. Every exer-
else of this feeling strengthens it, and what
guide-mark the individual loses by rejecting a
multitude of counselors, he more than regains
in sharpened personal wits and judgement; for
of all schools to developea man, none are equal
to those of experience and selfreliance. In
the Republic, as our own has demonstrated,
youth does not GO to manhood, but manhood
goes to youth. The child is almost born q
man. The individual sovereignty manifests
itself in swaddling clothes, and Young Ameri-
ca is prepared for an expression Of opinion, as
for enterprise and conquest, long before il car
claim the legal seal of citizenship.
The influence of this early maturity upoI
our individual and national character is immense
II gives to the American an elasticity, asionlsh
ing to the old world. 1t makes him equal 10 any
emergency Like the cat he can be droppe'
from no height, and in no place, but he vii
land on his feet. Making him restless undo
restraining guidance, it leads him to adventure
TO strike out from home or country as the chan
ces of enterprise happen TO invite. Al sixteei
years Of age the American can look out for him
self And While the republic quckens indi
vidual maturity and enlarges mans capacity t
take care of himself, it equally increases hi
value TO the state, when called to her service
His self reliance gives him vigor and boldnes
for whatever service, and enables him TO prose
cute enterprise and win trumphs, where othe
men would despair and fail. In monarchie
the men chosen TO lead national enterprises an
councils are from the slow ripening of mar
hood and other checks, necessarily advanced
years, past the age when the enthusiasm I
youth fires heart and hand, and gives eneTg
and endurance TO action. Ia the Republic Il
reverse is the fact. AS a result we have e,
pcrienced a national deyelopement, as remark