Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1860-08-11
FOR THE KEowEE COURIER.
Young Men.

| ar Editor: Suffer lne to make few remarks
in reference to the manner in which young
men arc treated IN some of the Districts of our
State. II is n strange, but nevertheless n lament
able fact, that "young men" are considered ac
mere "boys" until their hair becomes sprinkled
with grey. Our citizens would rather place an
office of trust and dignity in the hands of com
paratiye stranger--onc of whom they know very
l.lulc--than 10 place it in the hnnds OF one whom
they have known from child hood. knowing his
faults rs we'll ns his merits. Is il because his faults
preponderntc? h,,.tlicy fcar to trust him with an
Office of rcsponsiUility--not in every instance,
even in this fast age"
AS soon young mans is mentioned in
connection with scat in the Legislature, or in
connection With any Office, the cry is raised. " he
is too Young mo other objection is urged against
him-hc has talents of high order--is scholar,
n gentleman. is moral and steady cnouglI-hut. my
dear sir, " he is too young" How is he to learn
experience?
We venture TO say that if his bark is not launch
cd nt nm carly day, whilst ambition throbs through
out his frame with every pulSation he will never
mako man suitable 10 be entrusted with anY
Office. Whilst young, tits tho sweet and alluring
hope Of Fame that leads him on conGucring. and
To conquer that serves as compass to steer
him fright :" but when old and broken down by
the and storms OF life, if elevated 10 any office
what is his first inquiry? " Does il pay?'-
Whilst in Office his thoughts continually revert
ing to hiS homo, to his crops to his horses, to his
hogs--he does net think much of his constituents
or OF Mcir intcrcsis--he will lie too old when his
term expires to run" again
II isdfcr"nt with the 'young man he, if
elected, first sips the delighidl dIuught from the
golden cbalicc of Fame, ana with every sip lie be-
comes more intoxicated with its alluremcnts lie
feels that the eyes of his country, of his State of
nc world. upon him, and tho encouraging
spllcs of tho lovely fair continually before
hiS,gnzc, and urges him on to battle torhis country
and his Countrys intercsts-for all that lie holds
dear and sacred. No mcrcenary MIN inspires him.
Ts Famo tits AmLiton--and with youth, health
and viEor hc bounds along-not with n crntch. and
body diseased aud impaired does lie hsbble. along
with the almighty dollar" alone in Vicw--bMt
with encouraging smiles perhaps long life before
him, and one more round in the ladder Of Fame 10
ho reached, he makes his motto ''EScelsior
and still goes on.
citizens cndcnvor to- keep him back: why do they
not metc out praise to him whom deserving? Alas !
they forget that they were once yoNpg-they for
get what hopes and aspirations thrilled their young
hearts when they first Stood upon the threshold
of young manhood. Has tho yonhg life Mood be
come so chilled in their veins 10 render them
sordid and selfish Ito urge always Ia their lips
when they behold yoMng nsprart for popular
suffrage. the cry" he is too young!" Let them
remember what Washington WAS. whom young
man and, with proper encouragement. they may
yet develop many WashingtopS. many CaIhonns ,
Keep back the cry che is too young give him
trial-bid him God srccd-nnd VIC Warrant that
i'm n'ter years the old men win look back with pride
upon their performance when, first elevated 10 an
oiice of dignity and trnsi, MS II "Ioung Man"
If n plain Man" will cause the citizens 10 lay
aside this Objection lac will always l>e enabled to
make out - full ticket" from those who are both
willing nrd canablc to the district with honor
and fidelity Yours. SgNEx.