The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-09-04
!. . pad Time for Young Men.

city debts. -.---- !.
"A Bad Time for Young Men.
Wefee sincere regret at seeing 50 many
young men entering the political arena With
mn ;npulsiyeness unrestrained byprudence,
and taking positions upon matters OF prin-
chile as well as questions OF policy. Ihis
IS not The time for them. The period Is ex-
ceptionaI. The disturbance which has COM
plicated theories and systems is not over,
and although matters are getting INTO snip
shape, it will require yet some time and 4
great deal OF patience before we reach the
point Of restoration for commerce ann III
.dustry and finance. With that restoration
will, come confidence and steadiness in pur-
su,ts. with social order and contentment.
That time will surely put an end to all eS-
trayagant plans and ideas. BY the serene
and bright light that will then dawn upon
the country all the extraYagant ideas ana !
assertions Of enthusiastic or hypocr'tical
politicians will De exposed and brought INTO
ridicu!e and contempt!
Unfortunately for the ambitious ana
rising young men, the leading question OF
the day requires a great familiarity with
statistics and much knowledge OF political
economy. As to the first, one of the most
notable men OF two generations since de-
'clared that national finance was the ass's
bridge-the pons osinorum-of the day !;
and when We observe the confusion OF
views amongst those who are prominent IN
financial pursuits it seems indeed to be so.
In the matter of statistics the knowledge IS
not mature, and there.is wonderful 1ncli-
nation to exploit as facts statements WITHOUT
authority, and haphazard onnsuna- gdtherat'e
assertions badly reported and evidently un-
reliable. AS to political economy, the re-
cent period has not been the most favorable
for it's study, and we need but refer to The
discussions OF the times as proof that 1t has
not been studied. Upon such foundations
men Of native talent are seeking to make
fame and win honors for themselves in
advocating utterly impracticable plans.
Fame won in this way, at a time like this,
hardly promises to be solid. The ambl-
tious young aspirant who ventures outupon
eStrayagant speech and plan just now will
be sure to do and say things that he will
repent Of as long as he lives. There is All
amount OF excitement and impetuosity in
the discussions of the day that would not
be favorable to good dispositions and wise
conduct at any time, but the present is the
most unfortunate of all periods. Were a
man to plant corn in winter, or wheat IN
July. or strawberries IN June, or watermc-
Ions in December, he would be set down as
a fool. We look upon the essays of many
young statesmen TO win name and serve
their country by telling what they know
about finance and debating the policies that
will bring relief to the country as about as
wide of the mark as would be those tiilers
OF the soil who should make such errors
aboutthe time for planting. 4tts n.
49, Nor is it only the want Of information
and the improper time for the efforts OF
young politicians to exploit themselves that
we regret. More than this, we do heartily
regret the motives that we see so rampantly
displayed-the desire to get on the ina
gined popular side regardless OF the ques-
tions of propriety, good faith, andsincerity.
When a man separates from the only guide
that is consistent with proper sense OF
duty to himself and to his country-to truth
and to yirtue-he is outside OF morality and
he cannot be expected to conform himself
to cvilty, fairness, and integrity. Tt is not
possible that public discussion and political
rivalries shall! be beneficial to the country
when men controlled by such motives are
the actors. a~
We feel convinced that the present ex-
element and the present agitation are
making a great many names for the politi-
cal Hades of the ensuing generation-names
that really deserve better fate. Now it
is a matter OF profound indifference what
becomes OF such men as number we could
name; for they can never get above their
low level.---it is hardly possible to get either
below or above that. But there are men of
gift and promise-aye, and generous ma
tures-who will fall martyrs to indiscretion
and ambition, INDUCED untimely and un-
wisely, and for these all who appreciate
them must feel sincere regret. Let them.
beware of the danger that is in their path.