The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-06-20
Irrereranee cd YounE Amertra.

In an address before the Old School
Assembly, at ST. Louis, Rev. Dr.
Thomas said, in alIusion 10 the alleged
prevailing contempt for authority:
The great want Of our age, sir, is a
spirit Of obedience to law; Of reverence
for constituted and legitimate authOTi-
y; of respect for those who exercise
authority. whether in the family, the
State or the Church. Let me illustrate
the temper and habits Of young Amer
lea, sir, by an anecdote respecting the
Late Hon BIZ. Butler, whose soubTiquet
Of "Sandy Hilln was familiar to poll
ticians of twenty years since. Hewas
invited 10 mission Sunday school in
the city OF New York. The superin-
teDdent introduced him to the boys as
the Attorney-General of the United
States, one of the most distinguished
citizens of their native State, and an
active friend of fnendleSs youth; add
ing, while he pointed TO the clock, that
Mr.. B. would limit his speech TO ffteen
minutes.
Well, sir, they listened with fixed at
tention, but they kept an eye on the
( clock The orator. warming with his
theme, forgot the Limitation of his time,
and had passed the bound only few
seconds, when a tattered urchin, prop
ably a news-boy, and so familiar with
! political slang terms, suddenly sprang
ed, "Sandy Hill, your time IS out"
That, sir, is an illustration OF our re-
spect for those in authority
Our political papers practice and
cherish this pernicious and degrading
habit. Our people speak Familiarity
Of the United States Of America, the
I highest dignitary on earth, as 'OId
/ Buck or 1'Abe Lincoln" or ''Brandy
Johnson" II IS in the use of such cpl
thets that we "fear GOD and honor the
king7r Is not this the conduct of those
/ st. Peter says, "presumptuous are they,
seIf-wilIed; they are not afraid to speak
evil of digHitaries."
/ Sir, the tendency of our times-per-
haps il may be a natural abuse of the
nature OF our free institutioDs-is to
| despise government, to cultivate a
| spirit of INSTRUMENTATION. Why, sir, if
/ you will pardon me for relating it, 1
had once curious exempIihcation of
! this Young AmeriCanism in my own
household. 1t has already appeared in
I the public prints without my consent,
and, therefore, it may not be indeco-
! rous TO allude TO it. / had n little son
thought very bright and promising
I fellow. During my temporary absence
/ from home for few days on one occa-
/ sion, his mother relieved the weary in
/ terval with reading TO him the story OF
the revolutionary war. The little fell
I low treasured up the scattered facts and
anecdotes, and narratives OF the battle
! field, until his youthful patriotism was
kindled TO II flame, and his blood began
TO boil. returned late at night, when
/ he was wrapped in slumber. He rose
later than usual. While we sat at
breakfast he came down, and seated
| himself by my side in silence. He
withheld the familiar welcome-the
customary kiss. Evidently his mind
was engr0ssed with something. He sat
brooding his topic for few moments,
and then, turning to me, he said:
3 Father, are you British?' my son."
I said i, 81 had the good or bad fortune
! to be born in England: but, like the
/ Irishman, WAS brought over here SO
I early that l became a native" "Well,
sir" his childish face all aglow, and
| shaking his little fist at me, I'VE whip
! ped you once, and we can do it again ~
tGreat laughter.I That, sir, is the spirit
/ of young America.