Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-23
The Value ola Good Name.

The recklessness and folly of youth are
seen in nothing so much, as in the low estl-
mate they seem to make Of the opinions OF
the aged, the wise and the good, in regard to
character. What old people will think OF
them, they stop not to inquire, as if their
opinions were worth nothing. Hence the
rapid advances which young men make now
a-days in every species o fvice, and their bold
and daring demeanor on the brink of ruin.
The time was when young men respected
and feared the judgments of the aged
When, if betrayed into the crimes of swear
ing, drinking, gambling, or RIGHTEOUSNESS,
they were at some pains to conceal their
shameful dereliction, and labored to impress
parents and aged persons with better senti-
ments in regard to their department. But
now how changed. Bereft by bad discipline,
as they now are, Of a becoming respect
for superiors-lost to shame, and inflated
with notions of pride and self-control, they
unblushingly commit their deeds Of darkness
under the eye of the aged, and gloat upor
their open and uncovered indulgence in th'
worst crimes.
And this is to be taken by society, if the.
are to be believed, not as a proof Of their wan
of shame, of becoming modesty, or a lac
of respect for the aged, but as evidence s
their high bearing and utter contempt fc
hypocritical ~pretensions. We beg pardon
we make no plea for hypocrisy. If man
guilty Of crime, we scorn the eanne whic
prompts him to wipe his mouth and prefer
to be innocent. But If the young have fal
en- into crimes, which deseryedly damn Il
reputation and destroys the confidence Of 4
+ aged, it certainly cannot help the case, VIII
! they glory in their shame. 4 proper rega
for the opinions of society, would lead to co
: cealment, because of the shame, and an effC
3 at amendment before the habit was contir
!; ed. But we regret to say, in many cas-
the reverse of this is too often exhibited.
y But is there no value in a good name?
profit in possessing the confidence of
= aged, the wise and the good? It would sc
not, were we to Judge o. the low estimate
V Young seem to place upon IHeF opiiiOLS
How few young men nowadays, seem
W pursue such a line Of conduct as will just
a good opinion. How small is the confide
III which seems to be reposed in them. :
how else can it be, when Incidence, ticklen'
ne selfwil, pride, profanity, intemperance,
in lewdness, prevail to so great an extent am
them. This is a dark picture. Thank /
on ven, it is not universal. There are, here
a? there, young men, who labor to secur
,ur good anne They respect age and value |
,ut lie sentiment. Hence they demean tn
uld selves well and show by their love of W,
,ns of sobriety, chastity, integrity and their
md BILE bearing, that they deserve a good M
his How precious is such a treasure? l
better than riches or fame. 1t is a safeg
in danger; a passport to position; a
be- road to competency, influence and useful
y and n ralianca- that- nnrn-- farzaloaAa
and fghtens The burdens Of life-cheers US OF
sui- confines of the grave, and leaves, after W.
is gone, a sweet fragrance in the memoir
ave the good, never to be wasted. Young 1
is it is the best boon you can confer on pa
the the best legacy you can leave your {
are dren.
nen In all thy restless, fretfu1 striyings, be
and if all other good things elude thy gras
- lay hold on and secure, a go0d name.