Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1869-02-08
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~ remote from our control. The plow
boy learns the art of managing that use
full farm implement by sturdy, untiring
perseverance and the mower handles
the scythc only for effective use by dis
corning with his hands the particular
movements to be made.
How often do we find ourselves in
possession of skill that scarce any one
can initiate unless through the same
experience that las established the art
in us. We hardly know in what way
the skilful mechanic has constructed a
machine that, when put in motion,
causes both old and young to stop and
gaze for wonder; but We must conclude
that, had the inventor lived and acted
in the same atmosphere and been train
cd in the same school, under the same
teachers, and been governed by the
same parental restraints MS ourselves,
his genius would have displayed itself
quite differently and produced other re-
suits.
The great and perfect wolk Of man is
to prepare himself first for his sphere in
life and then TO perfect the masterpiece
by the aid Of superior handicraft and
his excellent requirements.
We may accustom ourselves to ASSOC
ciatc IN the society of those who habitu-
ally use low and vile language, and we
may esteem ourselves proof against con-
tamination, but, alas! the result il in
evitably the same as in all time past
the pure-heartcd youth is transform
ed into a demon, and the bashful and
thoughtful man into the Gro=sest scnsl-
olist. Few there are of our young pco-
pie who consider that the short years Of
early manhood is scaling them for fu-
ture usefulness, or destroying the last
vestige of hope of q brilliant career.
We have Otter been made acquainted
with TIE results of bad cultivation by
everyday circumstances like the un-
cooth and vulgar language that we hear
in simply passing along the walks of
many of our principal streets. We are
reminded Of this fact as often as we'll
bred people visit our town, and especial
ly are we compelled to observe it when
the bell of the Criminal Court tolls
the last hours Of freedom for The
guilty culprit. 1t almost seems as
though the very air partook of the pes
tilential character of the presence of
such annoyances in any community as
are sometimes met with in short walk
among these pleasant suburbs and these
favored homes.
1t is not our province nor our DISPOSE
ton to allude to special cases of this sort,
nor are we so uncharitable to our thriv-
ing town as to assert that this is the pre-
vailing, or even average, condition of
morals around us; but we esteem it a
duty to remark it's existence and its very
luXuriant growth.
The dark pail of moral death hangs
fearfully near the door of many a young
man in this town. and the lean pockets
of many poor family will testify to the
escape of the life-blood of its heart
through this prolific cause. Far be it
from US to undcr-rate the value of insti-
tutions of learning, Of gatherings for
social improvement, for assemblages of
benevolent people for concert of action,
or for the associations of the young in
innocent amusements but the cultiva-
ton of known vices as in gambling and
drinking, the habit of spendi lg the
major part for pleasure, and the minor
part Tor the nccessarcs of life, seems on
ly calculated to bring ruin and disgrace
on its votaries and utter destruction to
its followers.
Much can lie added to these lines of
darkness TO perhaps tighten their hue,
but enough still remains to cast "A fore
boling--ominous, awful
Young men--one and ail--rcmcmber
many sisters and mothers aie dependent
own dear selves for perpetuation of
good principles, and q careful use of the
good name of family and escutcheons of
fame. y heritage is yours Of noble
name keep with due care the jewels
which are yet unfinished Allow no
encrOachments On your own dear
hearthstones, but fight out manfully
the battle for freedom, and when the
temptations that beset your pathway
come thick and fast, and allurements of
vice and immortality entice you, stand
firmly brave the storm ! And
when the kind and allectionate parent
has ceased TO be the corner stone and
support Of the household, and quietly
sleeping in the church yard are all those
who kindly advised you, then look back
to the days when you sternly aud persis-