Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-02-06
Youxo MlSDstIS AMER1cAN GOVERNMENT

We remember, some time ago, reading in the
National IateUigeneer an editorial article, in
which complaint is made that our country is too
much under the influence of young minds; thai,
in other words, the counsel of our old men is
too little and that of our young men too much
called on in the great affairs pertaining to our
Government. We do not remember that the
editors pointed to any special detriment that
had yet happened to our sacred institutions,
from this Ito them) most terrifying error, into
which the American people had run, but they
predicted countless misfortunss that might en-
sue from persistence in this course. 1t is very
we'll known that both the editors of that sterling
paper are very old men land Young. America
odds, very ''old fogies') and hence their doubts
and fears. It is truth very observable, indeed.
that old men are just apt to be too confident in
their wisdom, young men areto beitoo re-
liant their own sagacity. Do we seem If.
reyerent to old age2 We do not wish to be; ne
venerate old age, and attribute it all the honors
which duty requires of Us, and we admit (who
has ever denied y that old age is superior in
wisdom. But, let it be remembered, there is
more than wisdom required in the affairs of
American Government,-there must be that
vigilance which the keen eye of youth posses
SEES, and that activity and energy which is blunt
ed in old age. Without these, our national
government must lack some of the vigor which
shc otherwise might possess.
Whilst it is true that the instances of misfor-
tunes consequent on the mistakes of young and
inexperienced statesmen are many, and should
be warning 10 US, lest we rely toe much on
the genius of youth, yet the instances of their
superiority in, even the dry matters of politics
and diplomacy are so numerous, that they are
sufficient to restore much Of our confidence
Let US refer to some illustrious examples OF
youthful greatness in the civil affairs of States.
1t will be acceptable. we know, to point few
such examples to the young men who are our
readers, as showing the achievements of those
who have dared to give scope to their powers;
and 1t may, besides, have the effect to lessen
the fears of those over-timid ones, who tremble
to think of young man becoming apolticai
mover.
Richlieu was, at the age of thirty-one, the
greatest minister and most successful politician
of Franco. The celebrated English statesman,
William Pitt, filed the office of Chancellor of
the Exchcqucr, with marked ability at twenty
two. Lord Bolingbrokc, at a very early age
guiding power in the council of Queen
Anne, and filled with credit responsible Sec
retaryship. Alexander Hamilton, before the
age of 80, was the father of great political
party, and even at thatagc, he gave impressions
TO our noble system ofgovernment, which have
not yet been and never should be effaced. James
Madison was a profound statesman, and as such
was t-ustcd; as such nc proved to be by his coun-
sells, whilst comparatively of youthful years.
Thomas Jefferson, at thirty three, had won the
immortal honor of being the author of the Dc.
claration of Independence. Had Rome ever
white haired Senator more wise, more learned
in government, than these three youthful Amer
lean Statesmen?
We need mention no other examples. There
is something SO fresh, SO energetic, so full of
life and vigor in the young mind, that its influ-
ence is always felt and seen to be for good Some
times, indeed, its iery enthusiasm and active
ambition leads too far, and then it needs to be
tempered with the gravity and staidness of age,
but even then, scarcely more evils follow than
from tho stale inactivity Ito use choice po-
litical phFase) of "anti-progressiye old fogy-
ism"