Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1861-09-28

lSStieneral Segel, very gallant otfcer ana
efficient soldier, is but thirty-seven years Of
age. Our old and immortal "war horst" Cen
scott, is in his ripest maturity, and the Amcri-
can people, us u nation, look upon him to act
from xperiencc-which he acquired in his
boy-hood days on the ''tented field"
So it is clearly evident to every thinking
man, that all wisdom does not lay beneath
silver ocks-nor iniirm limbs. The history
of the world bears facts upon this point
facts which will clearly illustrate oar
position, and likewise enable us to prove
that youth is capable of doing great deeds,
and Accomplishing grand results, if properly
cared for or improved. Alexander the Great,
one of the greatest military men OF the
world was less than thirty three years old
when he subdued his enemies in Greece, took
possession of the neighberng countries, passed
ints Africa, conquered the whole OF ASIA
Minor, Syria, Egypt and Persia besides count
less smaller Kingdoms and a large part OF
India. Hannibal who was the most tormld-
able enemy which Rome ever had-was made
General at the age of twenty-one by the time
he was twenty-eight he had driven the Romans
from Spaiu and Greece had crossed the Alps
with ain immense army, and by the Datt.e OF
Canae had brought Rome itself into danger OF
capture Bonapnrte at the age oil twenty
seven, was made General of French armies
after which he subdued the whole OF Italy,
passed into Egypt, was made First Consul, AZ
the age OF thirty, and having. IKE hannipal
crossed the Alps. and by the decisive victory
of Marenro again subdued ltalyand was event
ually crowned Emperor, having gained some
of his most brilliant victories by the time he
had reached the age of thirty-fyc fernando
Cortzes, the conquerer OF Mexico, pushed his
way I'M from obscurity, became commander OF
expedition of Mexico and by his consnmmated
bodness became at the age of thirty-hve
master of the Atzec Empire.
five turn to literary men, poets, orators ana
philosophers, we find Burke laying the toun'
daton of his reputation for eloquence as n
writer and speaker, as early as his twenty
seventh year and composing his celebrated
treatise on the "Sublimc and Beautiful" in his
twenty-eighth year. Lord Bacon, at the age Of
sixteen had conceived the design OF over
throwing the philosophy OF Aristotle, and NJ
that early period Of his life openly impressed
his designs and promulgated his opposing
views.
Sir Isaac Newton, had nude his most nm
portaat discomrses in astronomy, and mathe-
MATES before he had reached tue age oil lhlrly.
The Younger Pitt, became Chancellor OF the
Excheuuer and Prime Minister, at the age OF
TWENTY-FIVE. Byron, had published many OF
his choicest poems ut the age Of thirty. CAT
vim composed lis celebrated slnstitutes,' ut
the age of twenty-five. Philip Malanethore
at the age of twelve years went to the uniyer-
ity of Heidelberg, and Mt the age OF fourteen
was made Bachelor of Arts, at seventeen
Doctor of Philosophy and at twenty-one was
appointed Professor, Of Ancient Languages IN
the University of Wttcmberg Pope, before
he was twenty-five had written many OF his
best and choicest poems. DIR. Dwight COM
menced the NConqnest of Canaan" when he
was sixteen, and completed it at the age OF
twenty-three 10 these cases might be added
a multitude Of others, drawn from the history
of our own country, Eight OF the men VINO
signed that noble document, the Declaration
of Independence, were under the age OF thirty
five.
Lafayette was bnt eighteen when he stood
shoulder to shoulder with some OF the most
distinguished officers in the American army,
and at the age of twenty-tour led on the Ma
tional Guards Of France. Washington was
Int n lad when he was intrustcd with import
ant Offices and some of his most distinguished
battles were fought in carly youth. John
Adams at the age of fourteen, was private Sec
rotary to the Minister Plenipotentiary to the
Court of st. Petersburg. From this time until
he was chosen President OF the United states,
he continued to receive the most brilliant OIL
fees which the government could confer upon
him, which furnishes us with u remarkable
instance of what can be accomplished in ones
early days. He performed more in boyhood
than most men accomplish in long life OF
active Service We refer to these cases us
illustrations of the truth of the statements
that youth is capable of great results, and is
distinguished for great deeds as well as for
great folles and crimes. They also prove
that all which has been done TO reform the
world or enlghten it or make it wiser, has not
been done by age alone; but that youth has
had its shares in the improvements and adorn-
ments of mankind. If we should take from
the world that which has been done by young
men, literature and science would be disrobed
by half their beauty, and history would lose
half the brilliant deeds which it now records,
with triumph and satisfaction.