Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-06-20
RUTLAND HERALD.
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1867.
Young Hen.

class IN society, ana on them Iests
a great amount of responsibility. They
will soon be called upon to assume all
the duties of life, both public and pri-
waite, and in their keeping willrest main
ly the future welfare and destiny OF the
nation, Asa preparation for the perform
ance Of the duties which will hereafter
devolve upon them, they must have a
suitable character and that must be
well founded when they are young men,
Both the enemies and friends ola nation
understand this. The great conspirator
OF the Roman Republic, in attempting to
accomplish his purpose In Its overthrow,
commenced by corrupting the young
men, knowing that If he succeeded in
that step q great point would be gained
in the achievement o. his object.
Those who would acquire the charac-
ter which their age and country demand,
must appreciate its high value, as all
efforts to accomplish an object depends
much on the estimate placed upon It's
worth. The man who has a noble
character, although he may not possess
dollar in the world, has far richer
treasure than him who is in the posses
sion Of millions with an Indifferent
character. 1t is nobility Of character
that makes an individual happy, infuen-
tial, useful, respected and honored. Mil
ton understood the value OF character
when poor and neglected he was Of
fered lucrative office by Charles the
Second, after the restoration in reply
to the entreaties Of his wife to accept it
because of its worldly advantages, said
nMy aim is to live and die an honest
man. These heroic words should be
treasured up by every young man. A
noble character must be the result Of in
dividual exertion. 1t cannot be inherit
ed from parents or purchased with
money. In our country father may be
possessed Of wealth. honorable and dis
posed to do all possible for the encourage
ment Of son, so far as money and in
fiuence will go, but 1t will be Of little
avail towards raising him to true re-
spectability aud usefulness without his
own efforts. Hence, many relying on
their father character and standing in
the world and not on their own exer-
tions, find at an hour too late, that their
ability and success depends on what
they are themselves, not on what they
have or on the possessions Of their
friends.
The signs Of the times clearly evince
the fact that very large majority Of
our young men are doing very little to-
wards forming a character fitted for use
fulness and responsibility. Their friends
observe that their tastes and habits are
all In the wrong direction, and tremblt
3)r the terrible result. In the large ma
iority of instances the canker is intemper
snee. This is the great temptation t,
which our young men are exposed, AM
by which they are ruined. There ar
other causes, but this is the giant on
which leads directly or indirectly +
them all, and tens Of thousands or
walking in this path every year.
An aged gentleman, who has had rar
opportunity for observation in this re
spect, recently remarked to US tina
'there is more drunkenness anon
young men now than at any previou
period within his remembrance. Tn
results of his observation will CORE:
pond with that of others generally
Even boys are seen frequenting To-
GROCERIES and Keeling in the street. W
observed lin looking over the register {
our State Reform School, that several (
its inmates were committed to the inst
tuition for no other misdemeanor tina
drunkenness. This state of things
alarming-it is sapping the foundation
Of society, and blighting our young r
public.
Friends of young men you can e
ert great influence towards strengt
ening and saving them. But little CT
be done with confirmed inebriates b
much for youth. Show our young mt
that you have an interest in thel
Throw around them healthy infiuent
kindly warn them Of their danger, al
take special pains to bring them und
good influences. Many young ma
knowing the fatal end, goes forward
his destiny for the reason that no frlel
has individually warned him Of his da
ger. We say to one and all, Sare
young men.
Washington Items.