The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-07-17
Young Men Of the Period.

The responsibilities and opportu-
mites of the New Era devolve upon
the young men of these United
States. The scepter has passed
into their hands. In business, in
politics, in religion, they hold the
working oar. The destiny of the
country is committed to their keep
ing. If we could read their hearts,
and know what are their aspirations
and purposes in life, it would be an
easy matter to progn osticate our
country's future. Some of the
signs concerning our young men
are not hopeful.
There is class of idlers am ong
them. This class may not be so
large as formerly, but it is still too
large. They may be seen lounging
about the streets, standing in front
of the hotels or saloons, with coun-
tenances expressive of utter vacul
ty, except when relieved by super
cIliousness. These are the fellows
who hang heavily upon the purses
and spirits of their burdened ia
are destined to borrow or sponge
their way through their worthless
and dishonored lives.
There is another class of Young
men among US, who have adopted a
false notion of business life. Z hey
are inpatient of the steady industry
of the farm, the store, or the work
shop. They are full of schemes for
getting rich quickly, and without
work. They are spectators, adj
venturers, who are pretty sure to
bring themselves and their hackers
to grief. Leaving the paternal
homestead to grow up in briers and
broom sedge, a young man of this
class employs himself in flying
speculative kites, or as agent for
some doubtful or dishonest scheme |
to fleece the credulous public. He
is ready for an expedient that will
save him from honest, manly work,
and is likely to develop into swim
dler or sink into a loefer.
There is the young man ia the
country who never tires of telling
how much his father lost by the
war, and who seems to think that
he can live on the memory of what
his family once had. He calls him
self farmer, but spends his time
In the nearest village, or at the
store reta1ling neighbor-
hood gossip, smoking, drinking and
possibly gambling. What is to be-
come OF him it is hard to predict.
When he touches bottom" finan-
clally, if there is really good blood
in his veins, he may react, take a
fresh start, and make man of him
self. If not, he will go straight to
he dogs.
There is the young man in the !
,ity who had the misfortune to
nave a rich and indulgent father, !
md who seems to think that the
thief end of his being is to patron
re the tailor, halter, bOot-maker,
md barber. He has mastered the
ublime art of being utterly useless.
lie is entirely devoid of honorable
and when he gets hold Of
is patrimony, he will achieve his
My distinction by showing how n
uickly can be spent a fortune it
ook long, toilsome years to accu-
lulate.
There is the young man who car u
les a pistol. and in a loud voice !
roclaims what he will do to the a,
ian who invades his rights or
Ounds his honor. He aspires to L
e bar room hero, wears his hat
n one side of his head, affects a :;
ocular swagger, and takes partic- :,
lar pains to puff his tobacco smoke a.
| your face. An improved public
ointment will drive all save the in o.
ereptly and incorrigibly base and
rutal from this class. But there L
re enough of these brutes among al
; to excite perpetual disgust, and K
} discount the aggregate standing =.
our young men. az ~
Fortunately, these types do not ~
MIRAGE all of our young men, but
icy do represent classes of them al
large to excite a keen 81,
licitude in the minds of thinking
en- and women, ard to call for the ~
,plicatlon of caustic by those =
hose duty it is to mold public SEN rio
nent and promote public morals. COZ GO;
Christian Advocate. Gee