American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-01-13
Young America in Society.

10uDg All6flCd Ill ooGleti,
American society at least in our great cities
is fast becoming silly and stupid, "Young
America" reigns paramount in it. Boys,
who but yesterday were being hogged for
false Latin, and girls who have just esca-
ped from pianolortes, and bread and but
ter, take ON themselves all the airs of
grown up people, actually thrust their pa
rents aside, and assume the whole control
Of amusement. Almost parties, the tone
is given by comparative children. Con
ceited youngsters, on whose chin the
down has scarcely begun to appear, strut
about in high shirt collirs, short tailed
coats, deep culIs, and tight pantaloonsj
take the head Of cotillions, as by the right
of precedence; effect to hsaps blaze as
noble of the ancient re9iiae, and annoy
women old enough to be thes mothers,
and with more sense in finger than these
little monkeys have in all their bodies,
with ridiculous compliments, absurd criti-
cisms on music, or slang intended for wit.
Little Misses, also, with bare shoulders,
and mind more bare than either, look con
temptuously around, and express their
imperial wonder that the hostess could be
so stupid as to invite so many married
ladies. In American society, it is at
present, ''the day of small things"
The conversation at these social assem-
blies is what might be expected from the
character Of those who control them. 1t
is as fat as stale beer, and as insipid as
skim-milk The little girls giggle, and
the little boys look solemn; the former
smooth down their tresses, and the latter
pull up their collars but with this differ
once, they behave much alike. At the
suppor-tablc, they push forward into the
most prominent places; help themselves
first; scatter terrapin, cream and jellies
indiscriminately over the dresses Of such
married ladies as happen to be in their way
drink what they elegantly call "lots' of
champagne; and keep up such an inces-
SAINT chattoring and laughing, that nobo-
dy, as the phrase goes, ..can hear their
own cars"
1t would be fortunate, however, if
Young America" confined his presump-
tuousness to parties. But the lady who
has opened her house is subjected, for days
afterwards, to the morning visits Of boys
seeking to play tho fine gentleman, who
talk to her in style half silly and half
impudcnt, treating her as if she were still
unmarried; and this, though they were
not invited to her ball, perhaps, but only
came with some female guest, and though
they knew, or ought to know that the
mother of family in America, has some
thing bettcr to do Of mornings, than to
listen to the empty talk ofidle young fools,
Yet it must be confessed, thissovereign-
ty of young America" is partly the
fault of grown up people. Married
women, too generally subsidc into house
hold drudgcs; neglect the cultivation of
mind and manners; and, by abdicating
their true position in society, make way
for the usurpatiou Of the Misscsand Mas
ters Of tho polka"
We do not advocate the. disregard Of
domestic duties. But we contend that
their fulflment is quite compatible with
a proper degree of social recreation, and
that, indeed, a wife and mother is healthi-
or, in both mind and body, for occasional
relaxation in society. Moreover, as a
general rule women do not begin to think
till they arc married A man of sense
finds the conversation of raw girl insult
ferably stupid, for it has lost the valyetto
of childhood without acquiring the solid
character Of experience in life; and in
telligent women complain continually OF
the annoyance Of having to talk to CON
ceited boys. Why do not the real heads
of society, therefore, assert their suprema-
cy, and, by putting down the reign Of
Mazourka, the Schotisch, and their co--
comitant Young America, " restore to So
ciety higher tone. Tho informed, the
intelligent, and really well-bred, who now
avoid what is called society, would then
return to it, and a party would become
the place for the exchange of ideas, and
grow to be that national amusement
But, while "Young America. keeps the
lead, heels will carry it ''all hollow against
the head,
ny Gen. Pillow was sometimes
rather premature in his orders, and