The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-07-31

N-~Aluf ll4Alu- urLlClc. the aLlluut OF
which can be seen, in the subjoined intro
ductory paragraphs:
''The day and the time when old foeies
ruled and reigned, when they were leaders
and directors of affairs, has passed away.
They struggle hard for the supremacy yet,
but it is a hopeless task; they are behind
the age and cannot appreciate OF compre-
bend the necessities and requirements Of the
times. A new era has dawned upon US; new
actors have stepped into the arena, and per
form their parts upon the stage of political
life. A new and more delightful organism
Of affairs assumes the sway, because Il Is
fresh. vigorous and imbued with all the far
seeing and elevated needs Of the hour.
ssBnt one thing Is sure, If the young men
Of this country are not true 10 themselves
and true 10 all that is best for the country,
the fossils will take the lead from them and
wear the feathers and ehaplets that Of right
they should wear.
SIN this Marion county, there are young
men enough, so far as numbers 90, and IN
finitely enough so far rs intelligence and
ability is concerned, to sway and rule polit-
ical affairs and to place the country exactly
upon whatever level they desire. II is
strange they have not acted before this; It
is more than strange that they sit idly and
supinely down, allowing the golden oppor-
tunity to slip from their grasp"
Warming up with his subject as he pro
ceeds, he tells his readers, as with the voice
of an oracle:
''We have thousand evils and wrongs
to correct and to do away with, that cor
rupt party heretofore in power, has fastened
upon us; and to do this, we need our best,
wisest, most active young men at the front
as leaders, and law makers
We notice articles somewhat similar to
the foregoing in several of our Texas ex-
changes, appealing to young men 70 go to
''the front, bat none of them as decided as
this of the Tribune.
There was a time when age and expert
ence, and a knowledge of public affairs,
were considered valuable, and the passports
to positions of prominence in the counseis
of the county; but, if we are to credit this
very modest young writer, old men, as
class. are fossils and ''old fogies;" "a
new era has dawned upon US, and the
Young men Of the country, ''fresh, vigor-
Gus. and imbued with all the far-seeing and
elevated needs of the hour, y are to take the
lead in all political affairs, and particularly
Gas law Makers
1t is not surprising that gentleman in
young men of the country, should exhibit
an impotence at their want of assurance in
not thrusting themselves forward to ''the
front, y and that he should reproach them
for setting idly and supinely down, and
allowing the golden opportunity to slip from
their grasp" But the more thoughtful and
considerate men of the State, young and
old, approaching the research, investiga-
ton, and experience required to properly
qualify a man for Office, will perceive in
this exhibition of modesty on the part of
our young men, much to admire and COM
mend.
Rollins tells us, in his history of Greece,
that a young Athenian, of good family,
suddenly determined that he would enter
the public counsels. Upon this fact being
made known, his family were thrown into
great distress, as they were conscious of his
incapacity, which would be more manifest
by his immediate association with the array
of eminent men that at that period adorned
the Athenian Senate. Having in vain en-
deavored to dissuade him from his resolu-
ton, the matter was submitted to Socrates,
who undertook the task of weaving him
from his folly.
A few days afterwards he met the young
man in a public place, and after warmly
embracing him, congratulated him upon his
determination of entering public life. He
said to him, in substance: ut is gratifying
to the old men, who have directed the
counsels of the country, to witness the am
bition of the young to take part in public
affairs, and to fill their places with credit
to themselves and honor to their country.
No doubt you have prepared yourself for
the great task you have undertaken. While
your associates have spent their days and
nights in luxury and idleness, you have
trimmed the midnight lamp. You have
studied attentively the constitution of your
country. You are acquainted intimately
with its history; have marked the errors of
its government, and have prepared in your
own mind, remedy for those errors which
chaTacterise all administrations. You are
conversant with its internal policy; you
know its resources, and its policy as regards
other States has engaged your attention.
You have reviewed its laws, and have found
where they are defective and required
amendment. Not only so, but the neglect
of rulers has not escaped your attention,
and you are prepared to recommend a line
of policy, internally and externally, which
will add to the strength and power Of the
commonwealth. /"
He was thus proceeding, when the young
man suddenly interrupted him by saying
''Desistl You have convinced me that
have acted without proper reflection. Ihave
not made that preparation which is insepa-
rable from wise administration of public
affairs, and shall at once decline the hon
ors which / unworthily sought
How far this will apply to the young or
old men of the country. who, without
merit, are jealous in urging their claims
upon the people, they can determine for
themselves. But we would direct the at
tention of our contemporary, who is a scholar,
to the history of Rome, which We presume
he has attentively read and considered. The
very sentiments he endeavOrs TO inculcafe,
was the first downward step and the first
serious blow to the Roman empire.
Is it sensible to take men without training
or experience, and place them ct the head
of public affairsl and when sswise above
what is written, " they start out with thean-
nouncement that their fathers and grand
fathers were 'sold fossils" and t'Old fogiesl"
How does it look on paperg It smacks to
US of young America" and "a little too
fast.p If it were not for the fear of being
considered offensive, we would call it down
right impudence, but DESTROYS Of drawing
it mild, " We shall simply denominate it as
modest assurance"
The just rule, we think, in all countries,
and particularly in republics is to place its
wisest and purest men in Office. While the
young men Of the country have not been
without honor and ultimate distinction, age
and experience, when sustained by talent,
have been its reliance. They framed the
federal constitution, and. for sepnIatr yeasu,
save 70 our country distinction which no
other in ancient or modern times has ever
reached.
This flippant manner Of speaking Of men
Of age and experience, many Of whom are
distinguished for their moral worth, ability
and patriotism, is not commendable. It
has a bad outlook, and whatever the writer
may think Of It, will to the impression
that be is not only seIf-conceited, but that
his early trimming has been neglected. We
would advise him 70 be a little more mod
est, and not TO set bis megs too high. Age
and experience are not less valuable now
than IN the youthful days Of the fathers Of
the young men Of the present, when the
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