The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-08-04
Our Boys.

VuT oUySs
1t is not expected that youth in
this country should have, in common
parlance, an easy time oft. On the
contrary they should be fitted for
lives of severe discipline. The rest
less and irrepressible energies which
run riot in boyish sport are the
germs Of those activities which hew
from the future honorable lives
The trite old saying, too frequently
employed to justify idleness and in-
action-sThe world owes us q liv-
ing"-is true, in 80 far ss it is q
theater upon which they must exer.
else the talent which has been given
them, in the accomplishment Of the
purpose they have in view. We all
stand upon an equal footing. There
is no distinction of cast to bar the
way to success. It has been said by
one who thought wisely and wrote
well, that afortune is but an indiffer-
ent auxiliary in the race Of life.n-
The reason is plain. It begets ex.
travagances which dull the instincts
and divert the purposes of youth
It is better to start boys out free and
unaided, save BY their kindling en-.
ergies and ambition to succeed
Every boy evolves for himself a fu-
ture. There is no youth so obscure
but has his expectations. The air
he breathes-the influences which
surround him-impel him to rise
"from the prison of his mean estate
and with such jewels as the explor-
ing mind digs from the caves of
knowledge, buy his ransom from
those twin jailers Of the daring heart,
low birth and humble fortune.n The
history Of all our great men assures
rs that poverty is no bar. to the
greatest distinctions. Few of those
who have climbed high upon the
ladder of fame started from fortunes
pinnicle. They Glove their way with
stern resolve and steady purpose
Impediments did not discourage
them, nor viii our boys yield the
possibilities Of the future, because
the accidents Of life have made their
pathway rough and uneven. There
10 NO honor in inherited distinction.
The glory is, to win it. II has been
said by an English author when
commenting upon the peculiar char
letter Of our institutions, that every
boy in America expects to be Presi.
dent Before their young minds is
always held the guerdon which re-
wards ambition. It may be distant,
but it Is not beyond their reach. So
they set ont in life with stimulant
which no other country can give to
its youth. They have a landmark
rising out Of time and Turing them
on to pure lives and noble deeds. 1t
IL this ambition to be great Unborn in
American youth and matured as
their lives mature, which nurtures
patriotism, and warns their heart to
fealty tofree institutions. They learn
from earliest boyhood to contrast
their own with other forms of gov.
eminent, and the pride Of race and
nationality, is made q virtue. Edu.
cation helps to discipline intelligence
and strengthen ambition. Their
views widen az their minds i'm.
prove, and they know that the vital
ity and energy which inspires them
10 excel in the sports of their age, if
properly directed will enable them
20 win fame and honor in the future
10 which they look forward with
saeh sAger eyes. No other country
olbsFs its youth such opportunities,
and none other il cherished in boy
hood with snch heroic fidelity. In