Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-09-05
for tie Aa,a1e Girtle.
Forthe Yorkville Enquirer.
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE YOUNG.

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE YOUNG.
The time in which we live demands the
exercise of wisdom. The period has never
been-will never be-when this is not true ;
but of the present, it is certainly true in
peculiar sense.
1t were presumption in any person to
propose, in the compass of newspaper ar
ticle, or by the labor of life time, to i'm
part wisdom to any class. The means OF
acquiring knowledge is various, but knowl-
edge is not wisdom. This consists in a
proper use of the former. The class ad-
dressed will pardon me for offering few
suggestions, with the intent of impressing
upon them the Importance of using their
talents and requirements, for their own
good and their country's in her time of need.
1st. Because, having just passed through
the period of life best adapted for activity
and improvement, the retrospect discovers
much of error and neglects.
I'd. Because youth is the period of ide-
alities, rather than of a just perception OF
realities, and
Sd. Because ON the young, both male
and female, rest the heaviest responsible
ties. Responsibility comes and ends with
life and reason; but the old have discharged
most of their duties or lost the opportunity,
and I say it with respect, but because it is
true, are the subjects of feelings and habits,
unsuited tor the changed condition of affairs,
which they will never be able to overcome.
The middle-aged are too much harrassed
with cares, for great mental exertion; too
much discouraged by disappointment and
harassing fears for physical enterprise
On those rests the responsibility for the
past, on you, young men and women, that
of shaping the future. You will be not on
ly the chief actors in the remaining portion
Of the nineteenth, but the legislators, ju-
rists, executives, divines, and teachers, the
fathers and mothers, in the beginning of
the twentieth century.
The country is, at present, in an un-
promising condition. Few have any def
mite plans for the future, in consequence of
the uncertainty of the prospects. Many
are living with simple reference to the
present, without making any calculations
or preparation for the future. Should this
state of things continue long, the conse-
quence will be ruinous to the interests of
the country. The Frightening of the politi-
cal horizon, which is contingency, would
soon produce change. This may come
soon, but whether or not, delay is danger
Gus. Ifnothing can be done, politically,
by US at this time for the amelioration of
the situation, much can be done in the way
of industry. That is a bad government, in
deed, under which energy and economy,
applied with proper judgment, in all the
of industry, will not insure a
high degree of prosperity in such a coun-
try as the one in which we live. More de-
pends on individual character than on the
character of the Government, so far as it
is possible for these to be different but,
whether we regard the character of the citi-
zens collectively as identical with that Of
the government, no country can prosper
without individual success. The whole con-
sists of all its parts. Every one should re-
gard himself as a ''pillar of the State"
without whose entire support the fabric
would be weakened.
Many who were brought up in ease and
afluence have been suddenly deprived ofthe
means of support and enjoyment, but man
illness of character forbid that such should.
live merely because they are here, or, as if
the world was made for their convenience.
How many ask themselves why do 1
live? Yet, each has mission, the respon-
sibility of which cannot be evaded. Every
man should reflect, choose that avocation
for which he possesses the highest degree
of adaptation, from his plans, and by the
of his duty, fill up the measure
of his usefulness. IF this duty be thought
Tessly delayed until the period of youth be
past, there is, necessarily, loss to the indi-
vidual, the community, and the world.
1t is great mistake to suppose that tai
ents and cultivation are thrown away un-
less employed in some of what are called
the learned professions, or that in these on
ly, distinction and reputation can be reach
ed. Manual employments have been, and
are, too much despised, but I am greatly
mistaken if the changed order of things will
not, in short time, produce a salutary
change in sentiment on this subject. That
revolution in opinion which would assign to
the honest, industrious laborer, his proper
place in society, would be one of the hope
full signs of the times. The desire to be
distinguished is selfish to be useful, patri-
otto. The time is fresh in the memory of
all, when patriotism was high in esteem,
when young men aspired to it, and young
women were loud in it's praise. Though
not so much spoken of, it is as much need
ed now as then; but what is it? This 1
will try to tell you at another time.
For SUNDAY.-The following is to be
read every Sabbath morning just before
starting to church: ....
"Mary, do you remember the text this
morning?' '"No, papa, I never can re-
member the text, I've such bad memory" 4"
s'Mary,' said mother, "did you notice Su-
san Brown?" "Oh, yes. What fright.
She had on her last years bonnet, done up,
pea green silk, black lace mantilla,
brown CATERS, an imitation of Honiton
collar, lava bracelet. her old ear drops,
and such fan! Oh, my -" Mother