The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-09-30
AMERICAN PREcocITY IN PoLIrI.
CAL WISDOM.

Inc retirement OF men oil ripe wears from
our National Councils is fact of which the
increasing prevalence can hardly fail to be
impressed on the attention of all who were
contemporary with the earlier political his
tory Of the country. There was time when
some maturity Of age. if not in itself pre-
requisite for political preferment, was at
least considered no disqualification for such
offices of trust and honor as demand for their
due discharge some maturity of Judgment.
Without yeaturing TO affirm that our modern
hahitades have entirely reversed this theory,
we cannot but remark ia much OF cur cur
rent popular oratory the presence OF dis
position to indulge in the taborieus dispar-
agement Of that caution and conservatism
which are commonly associated with age,
whilst in contrast with its " timidity" o.
"phiegm" the generous impulses" and
~aasrcied sympathies " of youth are lauded
as the spring ef all healthful and hopeful
political activity.
A BssteR contemporary alludes to this
species Of appeal in the following terms,
which seem to US as just in themselves as
they are specially appropriate to our own
'ceantry and times. The reference il makes
to the lesson and command" of the Holy
Book with respect TO the Neneration due TO
the "hoary head" will, We hope, secure for
Its observations patient consideration from
all who. in their admiration for modern phi.
losophy, have not wholly discarded as obso-
lete the teachings of a volume which. more
than any other, is open to the imputed dis
advantages Of antiquity. and which, among
the historical events it records, dates the
decline and fall of the Jewish Empire from
the counsel Of the young men who stood
before" Rehoboam, the successor of Solo
mon:
From the Boston Courier Of September s.
II is both a significant fact and pestilent
sign when politicians deliberately attempt
to practice upon the generous sympathes of
young men. At the risk Of whatever impu.
tation of deliberate " fogyism," let us say, as
long as age and experience and wisdom are
venerated and obeyed. our days may be long
and peaceable in the land. This is the lesson
aud the command of book much older and
wiser than any generation Of politicians.
The volume is in some danger of being for
gotten in this day Of superficial counsel and
unprincipled intrigue.
A modern prophet, unlike the prophets
and wise men and law -givers Of old, reioices
with an exultant joy that power is about to
pass into the hands Of the Young men of the
age. Thus new life is to be given TO liberty
aud freedom, and TO all moral and material
prosperity.
Ii is true that youth itself is radiant with
hope and promise; il is rich in faith, trust,
and confidence; it is fresh and manly in its
strength; II Is generous and devoted in its
views, ardent in its attachments, and prompt
in execution. But, as a crown 10 an lis
virtues and attractions, il is most beautiful
in its submission and obedience 10 the lust
authority Of It's elders. This is the chief
glory Of 4 young man--to learn wisdom al
the feet Of his father, TO be formed after
good examples, and 10 yield ready defer
ence 10 the advice and commands Of his
elders.
We do not believe in comforting power
exclusively upon Young men; nor do We
deem sach pretended spontaneous move
ments the harbinsers Of better age. Young
men, having little experience aud great hope,
are apt to be over-confident. Not being
schooled in the arts and tricks Of designing
men, they do not suspect them, and are
often deceived. Without large observation,
they are likely TO give undue prominence 10
few principles of limited resources in
craftsmanship, they are easily discouraged !:
and, unused 10 the rebuis and reyerses Of for.
tune, they become impatient and dispirited.
The young and the old are mingled in the
affairs Of life; 50 they should act in concert
IN the administration Of the State, all in
their proper places--the old 10 give direc-
ton and counsel by their experience and
wisdom, the young 70 give energy and yigor
By the alacrity 0f their obedience and tie
prompiness Of their execution. Tie quail.
ties Of the one mas thus supply the defects
Of the other; the yonng men will be learners,
while the old are It'll actors, and the State
may thus enjoy that authority which follow.
old men, and that popularity and favor which
accompanies youth.
The would-be statesman, who addresses
either young or old a. distinctive class. i.
more seeker for self-aggrandizement than
q friend 70 the Young or 20 the State. He
who % wiskedly aatters the young, is to b.
feared as dsmagogue he j. a t0rrupfeF 81
youth and perrtrfer IF nature. Such ap.
peals are the offspring Of shallow head aud
a wicked heart.
The red men Of the forests-,hose dwell.
lers 10 the lightof nsture--would look upon
that brare as monster Of wiekedness, Who
should hail THE expulsion d their old men
from the council.lires Of their nation as Tire
harbinger Of better time. The eve Of
nature would see nothing IN such sponta.
neous movement but sudden conquest over
al good BY the misehiesoas spirit Of All
evil.
The ehiefest poet Of ancient and perhaps
Of modern times, when lie would represent
N authority fitted 10 calm DE animosities,
sooihe The pnruly passions, and heal the
fatal dIssensions among the young men 81
the camp or State, exhibits 20 Us the aged
Nestor; who had ruled for two generations,
sai was s;ill upon the stage With the third.