New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-10-02

WAsHINGIoN. Sept. %. IsI2

will hardly pardon my silence; but you will
wontyou: 'Prscrastinstion is, indeed, the
thief Of Tin,e." 1t is verify the "eyil one,'
ever near, whispering in our ears when
prompted to fulfill some duty. defer, defer
and when the golden sands of life are far
spent, the silver chords breaking. do we real
ize that our opportunities have been abused
and neglected. The prize within our reach
has not been grasped, and too late comes the
stern and solemn conviction, that our Life
is but an empty dream"
have often wondered why il is that those
gifted with the imperishable wealth OF know
ledge let their talents all run to waste, bury
them, and use no effort to make themselves
or others better by its use. / do not believe
that city can be found with the same
amount of talent among any people as here
in Washington, and yet how few % let their
| light shine" 1t is painful truth that many
do use their talents by writing through the
press 10 misuse, comment upon, scandalize,
and abuse each other. Instead Of union,
there il disunion; instead of peace, dscord !;
instead of brotherly kindness, forbearance,
ana love, hate and reclamation.
| How much better if the same talent that
our writer 'Cordelia" possesses was used
| towards creating unison among a people
already too much misunderstanding, emo
bling, reforming them. We have been wait
ing these months for a good word fifty
spoken, hoping tao writer had vented the
full measure Of vengeance, had been amply
repaid for all the ills received, in vain. The
pen is mighty Words once written, in love
or hate, can never be recalled, when they
are put in print and given to the world.
| How much better then that our impressions
be Of such a nature that they will lift the soul
up to omething higher, nobler, better, that
some little word falling by the roadside may
be beacon-light, hope and encourage
ment to some timid, hungry heart. How
much one writer could do to stimulate others
to 90 and do likewise. There is so much
to be done, so much left undone, so much
required and needed, that we have no time to
indulge in war of words or stoop to conquer
petty differences.
We have young men among US, graduates
of them left the fostering roof of their Alma
Mater, and the door was closed against them
as students, that they left their knowledge
behind them, too. The greatest ambition
among many is to secure position as clerk
in some Of the Departments, and there seated,
bending over a desk, rust out miserable
existence. Is it the fault Of our parents, that
our young men and women have no trades:
We cannot all be teachers, or clerks, law
yers, or physicians, but l will write of this
some other time. TO lie a clerk generally
make one a mere machine, units for higher,
better purposes in life for the truth Of this
let the conduct of our young men, with
few exceptions, and the experience Of those
long confined in this sedcntary employment
testify. In spite Of all this we hear the cry
Young men to the front" "Old men must
give way" Where are the youn. men capa-
Bile of taking the places Of our veteran lead
ers:
OF the many teachers among the ladies
many Of them are gifted with literary abili-
ties of which they and the circle in which
they move may well be proud. Nor are they
ignorant Of them, and yet we find very
few among them embracing the opportunities
daily offered to do something to make a mark
in literary life. \ few are eager, willing,
anxious, but SO timid; they fear criticism
even from those who should encourage and
lend helping hand. You will agree with
me, we are so apt to make light Of one
another's etforts--we won't do ourselves, or
allow others to. No associations are formed
specially for literary purposes. If one is
started with the intention, the interest is
soon lost, it grows wearisome and monoton-
Gus for lack of zeal, and in order to make it
and themselves popular, to create an inccn-
tive, to obtain the countenance of a certain
few, it is turned into frolic and midnight
dance. Everything in its place, and the lit
erary association is no place to form a dane
ing school. Not only do our young men and
teachers possess talents, but there are others
equally as gifted. What is there in the men
and women Of our times to cause the rising
generation to look up to, reverence, admire,
respect, or emulate?
have written you prosy letter, but these
thoughts forced their way without the will.
l often think Of the conversations we have
had on these subjects, and many of your
words are even already yielding fruits. It's
almost August weather. If one shuts the
eyes and forgets the new leaf of golden and
scarlet edge that nature unfolds, one would
imagine that we were transported back to
summer. Hoping that l may be able to write
you that some stepis being taken in the right
direction, / must close and send this to
mail. Yours truly, GRACE.
We take the following from the Chronicle,
which appeared as a communication in that
paper on the Both ultirno:
Word to Our Colored Friends.
The Editor Of the Chronicle:
always hesitate to give advice from the
fact that / feel incapable, and also ON &C.
count of the responsibility which follows.
| II a man esteems his counsel at all this act
is serious one. | will not assume to do
such thing now, but will throw out few
| thoughts which can serve as suggestions
merely.
notice a spirit of jealousy being cultiva-
! ted very largely among this useful class of
our citizens, which would not be considered