Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-31

WILL IT PAy?-We noticed in an article written
by one Of our contemporaries a short time since
some very opposite remarks on the education Of
the young men Of our city IL was state that their
ability for usefulness would be greatly increased,
by devotng the leisure moments Of each day 10 the
improvement Of their minds, instead Of suffering
their attention 10 be taken up with trivial matters
II has been demonstrated by the experience Of
some Of our wisest mon, that vast store Of use
full information may be acquired by carefully inn
proving those unOccupied hours which occur in
the life Of every individual. Those who are well
read in the history Of our own and foreign lands.
are aware that many men. whose early years were
passed under circumstances which denied them
the opportunity Of disciplining their minds, have
In ailer life become awake TO their deficiencies.
and resolutely applied themselves TO tho bust
ness Of obtaining an education.
Us an appropriate illustration, we may mention|
the carly history Of the present President Of the
United States lie lost his father at the age Of
four years. and was afterwards appron ticed to
tailor He was unable 10 obtain an education. as
his mothers circumstances would not permit her
20 sond him to school, and il is said that he
attended school day in his life. While serving
as an apprentice in his native city he form ed the
laudAbe resolution 10 educate himself. His atten-
ton was particularly directed to this matter by
tho fact that an acquaintance came frequ emily
into the shop. and read aloud from yarioas works;
among Others volume Of speeches. johnson de-
tcrmined to equal him. and therefore applied
himself vigorously to study, occasionally obtain
ing assistance from some Of the journcymen at
work with him. He last learned to read quite flu
entity but was ignorant Of other branches OF edu-
cation. About this time he married an intelligent
woman. who assisted him in his endeavors TO dis
cipline bis mind. Though his literary privileges
were limited. no one will now assert, that he did
not make a wise improvement Of them. We only
cite this example rs an incentive to those in sim
liar circumstances.
How many young men Of talent and enterprise
are filling po<ipns infinitely below those which
they might fMif they would only pay proper at
tcntion 60 the Improvement Of their minds. II is
an objection very frequently made that time will
not per,ait study Of this kind; but this very often
arises from misapprehension Of what is really
required for the proper discharge Of duties Of a
more responsible station. Probably there are few
yeans men in this community who could not. by a
little effort. spend from fifteen to twenty minutes
each day in obtaining useful information. Those
who have not had experience in this matter win
be astonished to find how much can be done in
this way. Suppose for instance, that young man
finds his present position below that which he may
reasonably hopeto hll and his ambition urges him
TO qualify himself for higher sphere Of action.
Let him devote half an hour daily to study. and
he will hnd in a short time that his al faculties will
vanish. knd that he has become qualified for dis
charging duties which onee appeared impossible
for him 10 discharge, A fair trial win prove the
truth Of this assertion.
There arc great many branches Of study open
TO the young men Of this city. and Il is not neces
ssry that they should leave their business and at
tend an institution Of learning In order 10 become
acquainted with them. They have only TO pro-
vide themselves with the proper books and then
make up their minds 10 master the subjects Of
which they treat. and we venture 10 say that most
of their difficulties will vanish like clouds before
the morning sun. Impcrfections In early eeuea-
ton are Of course to be regretted bat they do not
preclude the possibility Of Improvement in the
future.
Ifthcse yiewsare at ali correct, the young nee Of
this country should not despair Of filling high po-
sitions merely because they seem for the present
to be out Of their reach. Industry and perscre-
rance viii accosnplish wondcrs and Il is no doubt
true. as has often been remarked that more aif-
ference Is produced among men by proper Inn
provcment Of their intellectual faculties. than BY
the original talent they may possess
The Mans.-The Maury County Herald com
plains the lack Of mail "a sisics in tina part Of
che State and thinks that all that Il required is
70 let the citizens make their wants known as tile
Post once Department is willing TO grant then,.
Ihes Inconvenience Is experienced in many
other sections Of The State. and We have heard Il
stated that 4 sdicult 10 find parties to carry she
mails fnrtbe compensation offered We shini.
however that the trouble. In many cases. Is with
the people. and not with the Post ohice Depart.
ment.