Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-01-10
SAVE THE YOUNG ONES!

MA IL L AAA1 - " Jaw SAsAS0s
That we should neglect to follow the
virtues Of our Northern neighbors-their
industry, their thrift. their exactness with
regard to obligations, and the true no
bility with which they have invested the
idea of labor, and yet copy their follies is,
to say the least, not creditable to our
judgment; but that, in initiating their
follies, we should select and servilely fol-
low the worst, is not complimentary to
our taste. The celebration of New Years
day is not to-day, and never has been the
custom nor the fashion in Virginia. AS
q matter of etiquette it is absurd to the
last degree, just as we may say the pro-
position would be that young Jones and
Brown and Smith, who have periodically
''sat up" with Juliet for the past twelve
months, should be expected to in any de-
gree mend their hold for the next twelve
by stumbling up the front stoop on New
Years day, with card and slmper-
lucky if the last is not br0adened by an ill.,
cipient state Of mtoxication. But, then,
all these things are matters Of taste, and
while we yearly read that even in that
section of the country where the fashion
really belongs the best people are letting it
with the best people in other parts Of the
country if they continue to practice it.
But there is one feature of the fashion,
which should appeal not only to our
taste and our judgment, but to our hui
manity, and that is the practice of setting
out liquors for general and indiscriminate
use. We beg our readers to believe that
we have no fanatIcism on this subject, but
we suppose man with the very least Of
that, with the very broadcast views would,
if he had his selection. rather see the young
grow up sober men than the reverse: even
to "a man of the world the sight of the
young entering on the same course is an
exceedingly sad one. And the entrance on
this festive occasion is made so easy for
them, 80 seductive IN fact. The young
fellow just arrived in the high road from
his evenings at good home and who is as
shy as girl of bar-room-a place in
fnitely less perilous than the New Year
table of private residence-will not hest
tate, when he sees his seniors drinking in
their New Year round, and sees liquor
clad in all the responsibility that hosts of
the highest responsibility can give it, to
become as merry as the merriest and, f.
nally, as drunk as the drunkest. That one
time, you will say, is not fatal True !!
but that one time has set the seal of re-
spectabi!ity on drinking. The young man
has been convinced of three things: first,
that drinking is not deemed improper
among men, for his hosts, who are men OF
the highest standing, have countenanced
nim in it; second, that it is not deemed
improper by women, for the daughters OF
his host have offered it to him, and third,
that it is perfectly moral, for while the
ministers have inveighed against it, their
congregations have-handed it to him with
smiles Of invitation. With this triple
plated armor he is equipped for the next
saloon he may come to.
Weare writing, mark you, about young
men; not about those middle-aged and VET
Gran FOUNDERS, who make the private resi-
dences on New Years day substitute or
supplement to the tar-rOom, and whose
estimate Of hospitality is made by the
variety of liquors set out; nor of old men,
who ought TO be, if they are not, able to
take care Of themselves, but of young
men. There is not sadder sight in all
the world than the flushed face and gilt
tering eye and unnatural gaiety of young
man in the meshes of Intoxicating liquor.
1t is a sight that appeals to the most in
different heart, and it seems to us would
appeal to the heart OF Christian, and
especially Christian who had aided i'll
1t, with the sharpness of knife. We
mention Christians, not by way OF re-
proach. but because it is an undeniable
tact that Christians in this country control
society to such an extent that any of its
usages which meet their general con-
demnation soon fall into disuse. Here is
special field for their example next New
Year.
Save the young ones and the old will not
need saving! Give these young fellows
chance to start on the road with good
habits and good health and good morals.
Don't hold out inducements to them
to lose all three. No matter who else is
lost, try and save the young ones