The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-05-18
SOCIAL LIFE OF YOUNG rIlGN IN NEW
YORK.
fFTon the Tribune. |

NOW York is tho Mecca of American youths.
Our country lads outstrip those of older lands in
faces toward the great marts where s,iccess can
DO most largely gained, if gained Mt all. They
come, fresh from the dewy Influences of home, to
fame, or power. We have always deprecated tins
rush to the city-where 80 many seem to bo called
an ana So lew chosen; Half these asprants would
DO doing better for the country and themse elyes
'tilling the farms on which they wore born or re-
claiming their proportions OF our Western do
MAN,
But come they will in constantly increasing
numbers; and we have to accept the fact, and TO
lend them helping hand in their trial-years of
loneliness and temptation.
The young men now overcrowding this metrop-
oils are, in the future, to sustain or surrender the
foremost position she now commands. Let our
In their indifference to the welfare OF this class
they are not sowing the wind for O whirlwnd OF
prohigacy and dishonor II this be 80, their sin
offences.
We arc impressed with tho statistics of this
subject. BY the census Of 1860, our male popula-
ton, between the ages of Is and 80, amounted to
lll,O9l. Esi lmatng its increase during and since
the war, there are now among us Mt least 10000
young men-an active portion Of the laborious,
e1citaole life OF this great unmindful city. Two
thirds are without resident friends or kindred
striving to @, nquer foothold-and how hard the
contest contest What daily Widening gaps between
those who have succeeded and those just entering
the field Neither the religion nor the social en-.
Joyment OF our prosperous mon seems broad
ohoo6n W 1oCluuo Iuolr emplOSeeS. LOOK at the
growth of aristocracy and exclusiveness the
whirl OF folly luxury and fashion the enormous
cost OF subsistence: the meagre salaries in vogue
and see what chance Of comfort or sympathetic
ease the town has to proffer her 100, 600 clerks,
apprentices and students. Herded together in
the beds and attics Of boarding houses, shut out
from the happy homes established by long resi-
dence and success, they are almost driven to the
pubic saloon for light and warmth, and for that
friendly companionship which, either for good or
evil, youth instinctively Graves and will obtain.
The employers are surrounded with all the ap-
purtenances which make virtue attractive and
easy to pursue. The employees are not only urged
Into vice by their disconforts but it is vice alone
who tenders them an alluring hospitality She
sets forth her 7,786 convenient bar-rooms her 653
billiard tables, her 100 gambling hells, her 2S5
concert saloons, and 790regisered houses of pros
titutionin all Of which every young man will me eet
a cordial and kind welcome. Why, here is whole
army with banners, sonorous and glittering ar
ray. perpetuauy recruiting for those powers Of
evil which our phlsnthropsts claim to oppose.
1t ls estimated that the receipts OF the "pretty-
waiter-girl" saloons and Of tho houses of ifl-fsme
alone, amount to the annual sum Of Sc, 500, 900.
Add To this enormous item the immense income OF
the dram-shops, and you have an exhaustless
commlssary; chest for the maintenance Of the sa-
tsnio campaign.
What are the forces on the other side2 Item
few Evening Schools; the Apprentices Library
and the Printers Free Library; neither sufficient
for the class designated in it's title; item: the
Mercantile Library, richly endowed, noble insti-
tuition, but which does not directly aim at social
and moral influence, and offers no attractions
without charge; item: the Cooper Union, in many
respects the most comprehensive and efficient OF
all, but limited In comparison with the field around
t; uen: 90 attractive places OF worship, too fash
lonabie and expensive for young men to attend;
item: 301 places of worship, where the sittings are
at moderate rates. but the preaching and exer-
cises OF whloh, not to be irreVerent, the young
The Young Mems Christian Asso ,iation, how
ever forms ms vanguard Of encouraging influences
been managed by earnest and accomplished
young men, belonging to resident families, who
devote timo and money without stint to befriend-
ing those less fortunate than themselves. There
are literary, social and religious facilities at the
rooms CT the Association, and it's members per-
form q deal OF gratutous labor in finding aid and
work. Committees ION Boarding. Houses" "On
employment" and son Visitation of the Sick"
are ar siSnihcant OF the practical turn which the
Christlamty OF this Association has taken.
The managers are now essaying to increase
their means TO the proportions of the work in
hand. and, especially, to- erect u building which
VIII readily enable them to offer social and mr. ral
attractions to the young men of New York. Their
design includes q Lecture Room, Rea ding Room
Circulating and Reference Libraries, Conversa-
ton Rooms, Gymnasium, and other means Of
recreation and advancement. Such house could
not fail to become o general place Of resort. For
its It's ERECTION and endowment they ask the sum OF
s25OOO0. The amount, il large, is nothing in con-
sideration OF the object to be gained and our gem
erous merchants, IL they choose, can raise it in
single day They can find no better use for sur
Plus funds, since this is almost the first move
the youths of this city. 1t is based upon Hea-
yen's own Plan-that OF making the instincts and
tastes OF the young subserve to their growth and
weu,beinR. Young men love, and will seek for,
brightness, friendship. entertainment love, eocie.
ty. Give them something Of all this in the pure
aud natural way, il you would offer any effective
the brothel. - o ' 'A"
= I. is strange that the gathering forces of oor-
ruption which redden our thoroughfares at night
with their lurid watchfres, do not awaken an
aia5m among us. We fear the coming pestilence,
and have overthrown the routine Of years to STAY
its advent. But what Of this moral plague2 "ft
is not 80 difficult. o Athenians to escape tho pes
thence; but, fret Of all, flee deprayity, for il
courses swifter than Death" : / 80 .
THs FAILURE OF NATIONAL BisKs.-The Mer-
ohants' National Bank swindle ia still undereoinp
investigation, both by the Treasury and War
departmental A number OF witnesses were
examined on Friday, among them sir. Sherman,
the cashier Of the defunct insti ution. The deep,
or the Government officials get into the details
the palmer 1t Is shown that the whole affair. from
to end, was swindle = '.'>'
;, 1t Is reported that special committees in both
houses will be demanded, to inquire into the
mmsnagement Of the National Banks designated as