The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-05-06
A. YOUNG MANS MOTTO.

Count Maurice of Nassau, second son OF " ID
aiam the Silent, Prince Of Orange, found hlinseH
at seventeen years of age, .fatherless ana poor,
with a mother and ten younger brothers anu
sisters looking to him the only one htted to
take the place of him who gone His father
had fallen by the dagger of the assassin, his
eldest brother was prisoner ia Spain, and the
family fortunes were at the lowest eub The
Prince of Orange had devoted everything to his
country and in the stormy times in which he lived
had pcrilled and lost his wealth After his death,
as the historian tells u.s. Carpets tapestries, linen,
nay, his silver spoons, and the clothes Of his
wardrobe disposed of at public auction for
the benefit of his creditors.
1t was hard time for young Maurice he
more especially as the Netherland Republic, then
in the severest stress of its struggle with the
tyrant Philip, was looking to him his fathers
ultimate successor in its councils and at the head
of its armies. But his brave young heart did not
fail him. He put his shoulder under the burden
with a resoute and unfinchiug spirit AS the
symbol of both his purpose aud his hope, he took
for his device ga fallen oak, with young saIpling
springing from the root" and for his motto the
words, "Tdnden, tit carcuIus arJor." "The twig
shall yet become tree" And it did There are
few names, belonging to the glorious days of
Elizabeth of England, more justly hOnored than
his
The motto of Prince Maurice seems one pc
culIarly appropriate for every young man to bear
on his shield in the battle of life. 1t is at once
modest confession and a rcsOlute challenge The
"'twg is not a ''tree" but it has trees destiny
Its claim is not so much in what 1t IS, as what it
as resolved to become. If it has not present
strength, it has purpose, and We all know that
purpose wins more than half the battles in this
world. Had the man who said that " Providence
is always with the strongest battalions" said it
was rather with those which follow the rio Int
banner to the field, he would have been much
nearer the truth. 1t is motire to which God
always looks, and it is the life that has right
motive at the heart Of it, which he crowns with
favor and success.
From all this it appears that a manly spirit is
at the furthermost possible remove from either
vanity presumption. The truest bravery is
always modest; and as it shrnks from no proper /
responsibility, and no danger that stands in the /
way OF duty, so 1t never goes to seek either. 1t |
bdes its time; it is willing to remain a twig Till it |
becomes a tree; does not, in the greenncSs and |
weakness OF Its saPlng safe, put air. if it were
already full grown, nor claim equality with the !
trees of the wood before it has like them its OWE
strong arm with which to battle with the blast
Yet it remembers the root from which it spranr
and "the fallen oak at its side is a perpetual
reminder that 1t has destiny To win and Il work
to 10. There are few things in regard which
young men more often mistake than the quality of
true manness. One can hardly walk down the
street without encountering some proof of this
RecklGssncss, displayed in a staggering gait, in
oaths and vulsarity and miscellaneous ruwdyness,
Is no element of real manhood \ roll of filthy
weed in the mouth, however daintily puffcd and
fingered is no symbol or type Of manlincss Con-
tempt for home and its simple pleasures, or
familiarity with the manners and language Of bar
rooms anu saloons, is no part of what constitutes
one man. Pretcnsion, and foppcry, aud assump-
ton, are no nearer the mark One may have all
these qualities apparently coveted by So many,
and yet be destitute of the first and least property
of real manhood He may despise them all, and !,
be Tor that very reason all the more man. |
Exchange. :