The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-08-01
For The CALEDoNIAN.
A BOYS PRIVATE OPINION.
1.-THE ROYS''-.. THE GIRLs.o
RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED
{oun9 ametied."
1C'oncludcd.1


Concluded
1t is the peculiar privilege of American
Boys and Girls that they can, to great ex-
tent, attain to any position they may desire,
untrammclcd by the avaricc and selfish ca
price of that DeSpotism that stiles or forces
into one channel the aspirations and efforts
Of the oppressed in other lands and if those
under such hindranccs can struggle success
fully against such fearful odds. and make of
themselves men and women of the right
stamp. what ought zee to do? Our eondcm-
nation will as sure y and as far exceed theirs
as our light is greater than their darkness.
This our great advantage is our greatest dam
ger. But the faults and discouragcmcnts OF
American society deter many from making
the attempt even, to take their places
where God designed they should stand. This
is not consonant with that independence of
thought and action, and that impctuous zeal
which should characterize the Bows and Girls
of the nineteenth century in
The land Of the free and the home of the brave
Please remember that Facts are stubborn
things" and that it IS fact that
Honor and shame from no conGition rise;
and by shaping your conduct accordingly YOU
will illustrate that other fact:
'.la ucH yomr part: there all the honor lies;
truths which all admit. but which the r,a-
jority are 0shom,d to ACT.
The requirement of Wealth and Fame is
the common ambition of the Young; the gold
and the praise of others is the goal of their
heart desires. This is natural, and to a Ger
tain extent commcndablc: and it is in vain
to remind the youthful seeker tha; these day
dreams. though literally successful. vet as far
as essential good and substantial satisfaction
hereafter is concerned. It's but reaching for
a star. and that riches and honor
Like the tints Of the rainbow hut brighten 70 fly.
| refer. OF course. to making the attainment
of these objects the chief aim and end Of life.
/ | do not agree with that father who would
not leave his children a cent Of his fortune
because it would be like building Il wall to
keep them out ofilcavcn" such short->ght-
cd biyotry "spcaks for itself The Bib,
does rot say that money is an evil. but that
it is the source of all evil In this respect
money is just Ike anything else that is mad,
the cause of evil results when put to a wrong
use. If a proper use is made of Wealth it viii
prove to be an infinite blessing. and 50 o.
Fame and Honor Then 70. all the Wealth
and Honor YOU can get them honestly. and
let it be seen that you are worthy Of them.
Fame founded on lasting results is alon,
durable: and in the construction Of such a
foundation. the formation Of a sound chnrGr
tc, is of the first Importance. Character is
EVERYTHING. and the formation of right hab-
its is almost inscparablc. Industry and per
severance will accomplish almost anything
and " Labor onlniu rinct is the watchwor,l
of the Victorious The lives of the great and
good should be our constant cxamplcs-thcir
faults our warnings. and their virtues our en-
of hardcarncd money, accumulated by the
toll and sclf-dcnial of others. especially the
ill-got gains swindlcd from the poor ard
needy, the ignorant and the oppressed. will
prove as name in the sand. and be swept
into oblivion by the first wave of tickle for
tune. The boy who "works for a living. is fal
more likely to "bc Somcbody" than he who
lives on his fathers pockets and mothers and
sisters patience. even should he be got Mrough
a four years course at College by virtue OF
leash and a horsc-load of books. and at tho
last receive oaother "shccp-skin as hero
glvphical confirmation of the fact that he is
:" OW.
There is natural difference among the
young as we'll as those older. in point ofnatu-
raj ability Yet. upon careful examination, i,
will be seen that this is an objection nearly
always nccdcsslv magnifcd. The greater
part of what the world calls Genius is the
vcricst gas Now and then some one appears
to act his part in the great drama of life, who
like transient meteor in the sky. cxcItcs fol
a while the wonder and admiration of the
world, till, having developed its superficial
contents. its dazzling brillancy fades like the
fanciful hucs of gorgeous dream. Such in
tcllccts seem void of all faculties save one
and that splendid merely in hashy cfEcrves
ccncc. Such luminary works much mis-
chief in that it so eclipscs for time the
lesser stars that they dare not shine. Tru(
Genius is not rcadv-lnadc but made reudy b!
severe discipline and close observation. The
few whose talents are admired and of whose
attainmcntsa all are cmulous. struggled through
many wears of toll and wcariSomc rcscarcl
nthe successful pursuit oftheir tavoritc object
hence no Boy or Girl need be discouraged i
not bern an eighth wonder. do not meal
to say that any one who may choose can place
: on his brow the laurels of Webster or con
ccivc at pleasure the transccndent ideas of th'
immortal Milton. but that mind may be 81
cultivated and strengthened, that each facul
ty will be powerful in itself, and all we'll bal
5 anced and working harmoniously togcthe