The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1868-09-11
The Fate of Young Men.

AA0 GcsGO Va AONAS 14O44'
It is a source Of abiding regret that so
many young men of the present day litter
ally throw themselves away. And gener-
ally they are young men of promise, of
good minds and noble aspirations, yet un-
expeetedly we see them given up to dissi-
patton and vice, and rather from custom
than from any natural instiot or appeal to
our better judgement, we blame them, turn
from them, aud conclude there must have
been something wrong from the beginning,
thus adding insult to injury, and by our
own conduct using the efeotual means of
putting them further from us, and from the
path of duty and right. We admit this
with profound sorrow and regret.
Three fourths of our young men of dis
sipated tendencies and finally habits, are
rendered so rather by a course of circum-
stances and the uncharitable and ungener-
Gus customs of society, than from any intu
tive disposition to prefer the path OF vice
| to that of duty. Even fathers are not al
ways what they should be toward heir un
tutored and inexperienced sons, for in many
instances, where they have successfully
| bufFetted the adverse fortunes of life them
selves from necessity, they expect their
children to do so from choice. The old op-
press the young. This is bold accusa-
ton, but we have no fears that proof and a
close study of the subject will nc bear US
out Then how, quoth the reader? By
Withholding frow them the proper encour-
agemeut when they frst launch into the un-
tried world Of business OF Profession
| That encouragement which is absolutely
necessary for one unacquainted with all the
tactics, or, more properly, underhanded ma
nipulations of trade aud success. By with
holding patronage because they are young,
but doubtless better qualified in many in
stances to discharge your trusts than those
upon whom you confer them. We hold it
to be obligatory on the Old men to enoour-
age and aid the young; but, on the contra
ry, how much more common it is for them
to aid and encourage the experienced and
we'll established for fear their interests
might suffer, or that some young man may
grow to his full measure Of manhood be-
fore his time.
We see it exemplifsd with our eyes eve
TT dav. It would seem to be an utter i'm
possibility for q young man to establish
himself in his business or profession until
he has grown gray in living like the tor
pid serpent under the winters snow, and
during this unchsritable pupilage, which
the customs rather than the rational reas-
on of society impose upon the young and
which 80 sOrely try his patience as to lit
orally drive him from the path Of duty.
The young man has energy; he has abil-
ity; he has integrity. Upon his own exer-
liOns often depend bis support, and when
his pride is keenest to sensibility, he often
has nothing 70 sustain inactivity. He is
willing to work. You should help him.
Without encouragement, he sinks deeply
in debt; his sensitive pride crushed his spir-
it; his aspirations are crippled by the con-
sciousness of a feeling of humiliation a.
moBg his fellows. at an uuguarded moment,
when not fortified by experience against
temptation, with the plunge Of desperation