The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-03-22
Tho Premium on Young Men.

increased ten-fOid at the present day.
With age comes experience but the times
gard its teachings. 1t is an age which
seems to have cast aside tradition to wan
der off into paths new and upexplored. 1t
is an age which deals in experiment. 1t
would seem that the people of the nine
teenth century have come to the conclusion
that the old-fashioned ways which lead to
the requirement of knowledge and wealth
have been trodden too long, and they have
struck out upon q royal highway Of their
own. It is a road upon which fast driving
is not prohibited, but, on the contrary, it is
encouraged. Men are no longer content to
plod onward, even though success be as
sured at the end of their weary journey.
They are too ambitious, too restless of
restraint, aud would fly the track to gain
their point. The very children imbibe
this spirit of the day, and follow in the
wake of their elders. They are not con-
tent to pore over the books which their
preceptors set before them. They skim but
and think themselves ready, poor, un-
fledged simpletous, to 60 forth into the
great world to do for themselves.
Old men no longer receive that reverence
and respect which is due them. They are
hustled aside in the struggle of the hour,
with half the ability of those whom they
have superseded. 1t is said that the mind
of man is at it's best at or about the age of
forty five, and yet, day, men of this
age, unless they have already acquired
wealth-which is bound to inspire Difference
have outlived their usefulness, and whose
best days are over. Men of twenty five
and thirty are of the material which the
times demand. There is a premium set
upon the vigor and push of this time Of
life, which gradually diminishes as their
years increase.
Let us consider this for a space, and in
quire into the real value of these qualities.
For the accomplishment of great works
there is needed long and earnest effort. No
mighty structure was ever reared in day,
nor by other than long and we'll directed
labor. We are only too anxious that ours
should be the golden age, that we should
rear structures which those who come after
us shall look up to and admire.
Can we do this with the architects which
we patronize We do not mean to affirm
that it cannot or has not accomplished
labors, which have made the whole world
wonder but we do argue that too much
responsibility is attached to the young men
of the day; that the works which they are
ready enough to undertake, if performed
later in life, would be more durable for
time. What are the characteristics of their
they are apt to rush headlong into enter
prises in which there is chance of success,
but such a chance as older men would
hesitate to take. At times they succeed !;
there is brilliancy and dash which they
have exhibited, which attract the eyes of
the world upon them. But how often do
these rash speculatiOns fail All! that is q
subject into which the world does not care
to inquire.
The premium which is set upon the labor
of youth is exaggerated, but is one Of the
natural results of the rapidity of the times
Older men, perhaps, would not undertak 9
what their juniors have undertaken and
brought to successful accomplishment; but
it is more than probable that in whatever
enterprise they might engage, they would
be less liable to failure, and their results
would be stronger and more lasting.
of the real value of youthful labor or not,
yet the fact still remains, that it is in de-
mand over that of men who, to use the
false expression of the times, have seen
tn cir best days. This, then, is the oppor-
tunity for young men. Let them remember
this and govern their actions accordingly.
If they must keep up with the spirit of the
age, let them be cautious, keeping firm
and steady foot upon the brake, and q
vigilant eye that they may halt before they
have been upset by the obstacles which
wrecked those who tore along before them.
Let them be sober and watchfui of all
their actions. They are driving upon roads
on which there are no finger posts, moth
ing but the wrecks of those who have gone
before them to direct the way, and there
are thousand by paths which lead nowhere
but to ruin and despair. Let them steer
clear of these, nor be- lured by hostelries
along the way. Those are the sinks of
corruption and mouths of the dark and
noisome pit. The road is new and dan
gerous, but there is yet guide which, if
kept ever in mind, will surely bring them
through with safety and success. As the
ancient mariner guided his fragile barque
by the bright star in the north, SO may
these youths be guided by the star of Dl-
vine love which shines for ALL In the
sorest hour of peril let them turn to the
Church and they will find the beacon light
shining out for them and all others who are
iourneying onward in the dark and dan
gerous night.-Ihe Guardian.
The Guarantee Clause in the United States Con
afifution.