The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1858-04-15

J us. We stand gazing, as it were, int
the great centre of the worlds volcano
the smoke that preludes the eruption
rolls darkly over our head the pent fire.
below flash now and then with fearfu
radiance across the gloom; we hear th'
subterraneous thunder; the mountain
rocks beneath our feet, and all the dreat
presages of eruption gather around us
Who shall measure and declare the ruiz
that will at last burst forth? The tyrant
shall be swept from his throne; his fet
ters from the slave, and every relic Of
that thraldOm which has bound man fol-
ages shall be destroyed! But will not
the same destruction overwhelm all that
is valuable and venerable in society-all
the restraints of law, and all the author
ity of religion No barrier to the fiery
food will be found sufficient to stay its
desolations, except that of a pure, a
strong, and widespread morality.
Another feature of the age very strong
ly demands the diffusion of sound NOR
ality. | refer to the prominent part now
assigned to young men in all the depart
ments of public action. The young men
of America are now the most efficient
class Of society in all the grand move
ments, moral or political, in which the
people are engaged.
This new feature of society is the re-
suit of our national freedom, and of that
Improvement in the science of education
which brings the mind to maturity at
very early age. Intellectual cultivation
is now began at period once consecrat-
ed to nursery follies; it is conducted on
principles by which the communication
of knowledge and the development of the
faculties are vastly symplifed and accel-
lerated, so that the young now come forth
almost like Minerva, springing fully form
ed from the brain of Jupiter, furnished
with powers once deemed peculiar to mid
die life. We rejoice at this result; We
rejoice that We are permitted, even CON-
manded, to come forward and assume
our share in the heat and burden of the
day of toll But it is with fear and
trembling. We are swayed by the fiery
impulses and passions of youth, exposed
to the peculiar temptations of early life,
controlled by primature judgements, un-
trusted principles, and scarcely formed
habits while the book of experience is
to them an almost unopened volume
There is, therefore, great danger lest we
should be led astray; lest We should de-
eide unwisely and act rashly; lest we
render our newly acquired influence fatal
to ourselves and society. The chariot of
the sun could not be safely guided by the
boyish Phaton the chariot of modern
society, which already dashes forward
with mad and dizzy whirl, may be hur-
ried to destruction by too much impetu-
osity. We must subject ourselves to the
restraints of stern morality, the activity
of youthful passions, the zeal of youthful
minds, the strength of youthful arms,
must be controlled and directed by pure
principles and virtuous affections, or we
shall rush upon destruction.
Enough has been said, perhaps, to sat
isfy the reader that the proposition in
volved is both true and important. 1t
would, however, demand the power of
genius to do this subject full justice. l
must rest satisfied with feeble attempt
to echo the wants of the age-the great
trumpet voice of human want-of the
of our race. DELTA.
V A Down-Easter advertises for a
L.. r. N