New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-14
sOCIAL LIFE OF OUR YOUNG MEN.

New-lOTk 10 the Mecca Oh AHleIICah y"ulnS'
Our country lads outstrip those of older lands IN
ambition and enterprise, and more early set their
faces toward the great marts where success can be
most largely gained if gained at all. They come, fresh
from the dewy influences of home, to stake their
youth. faith, and purity against wealth, fame, or
power We have always deprecated this rush to the
city-where so many seem to be called ana so lew
chosen. Half these aspirants would be dong better
for the country and themselves tllhng the farms on
which they were born. or retaining their proportions
of our Western domain.
But come they will in constantly increasing num-
bers; and we have to accept the fact, and to lend
them helping hand in their trial years OF loneliness
and temptation.
The young men overcrowding this metropolis
are in the future to sustain surrender the foremost
position she now commands. Let our mercantile anu
social leaders consider whether, in their indifference
TO the welfare of this class they are not sowing the
wind for whrlwind of prohigaey and dshonor. Ii
ths be So their sin of omission transcends host OF
minor, positive offenses.
Wa are IMPRESSED with the statistics of this subject.
Bv the census of 1860 our male population between
the ages of IS and 80 amounted to lll,O9l Estl-
mating its increase during and since the war; there
arc now among US at least 10000 young men-an
active portion of the aborious, excitabe life OF this
cxat unmndlul city. Two-thirds are without resi-
dent friends or kindred striving to conquer ioohold
and how hard the contest! What daily widening
raps between those who have succeeded and those
lust entering the field Neither the religion nor the
social enjoyment of our prosperous men seems broad
enough TO include their employees. LOOK at the
growth of aristocracy and excusveneSS the whir OF
folly, luxury and fashion, the enormous cost OF sub
sstence; the meager salaries in vogue and see what
chance of comfort or sympathetic ease the town has
to proler her 600 clerks apprentices and students
Herled together in the beds and attics OF boarding
houses shut out from the happy homes established by
long residence and success, they are almost driven to
the public saloon for light and warmth, and for that
friendly companionshp which, either for good or evil
routh instnctively Graves and will obtain.
The employers are surrounded with all the appurte-
nances which make virtue attractive and easy to pur-
sue The employees are not only urged into vice by
their dscomforts, but il is Vice alone who tenders
them an alluring hospitality She sets forth her 7'oo
convenient bar rooms her 653 billiard tables her ioo
gambling hels her 235 concert saloons, and $50 regis
tered houses of prostituton-in all Of which every
young man will meet cordial and CHEEKY welcome
Why, here is whole army with banners, SonorouS
and gttering array, perpeually recruiting for those
powers of Evil which philanthropiss claim to OPP
pose 1t is estimated that the receipts of the pretty
waiter girl" saloons and of the houses of illtame
alone, amount to the annual sum of S6,5OO,OOO. Add
to this enormous item the immense income Of the
dram shops, and you have an exhaustess cOmmissary
chest for the maintenance of the satanic campaign.
What are the forces on the other side ksm: few
Evening Schools the Apprentices Library and the
Printers Free Library; neither sufficient for the class
designated In its title; item: the Mercantile Library,