The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-03-30
A Foolish Young Man.

The subjoined letter Ia from young mon
In Virginia, who asks US to give candid
opinion as to the correctness and soundness
Of what he says:
ITO rHs EDlroR or The suS-sir: 7 was interested
some time In reading your series OF remarks
Young Men In Politcs' In my fathers family have
been brought up TO look upon politician land lawyer
also) professionally aud slanderer. Although
have corrected that idea In the main, confess
still much Disguised when read OF the repeated inter
changes Of gross personalities aud abuse by repre-
sentativss In Congress
Much OF this reported Islander and H. doubt
due to the false reports Of Newspaper and party men;
but 1t should be tho sndesvor Of every true hearted
of America to place such In Congress would dis
dan to make use OF the low and dsgrsceful means
which are used Often and by Of the senators and
Congressman to clog their political opponents in their
operations; aud then the Newspaper aud party men
would have no OK tail to twist and cling to.
" No man Of real refinement AMI education would use
those for he could the folly and disgrace OF
IT. and until the people Of America learn to choose such
men for their lawgiverS Congress will be the
OF ambition for aspiring young men. In my humble
opinion 1t 10 enough to crush and extinguish the am
bition OF any when he knows that the minds OF
the well informed - well a. the ignorant and however
virtuous and honorable he msy be. no suffer the
reproach Of undue guilt with both the guilty and tho
guitless. I'll. l.. BRowS."
Is that 1t is stuff and nonsense. The senti-
ments expressed do not become young man
OF education, who ought to take the deepest
and the liveiest interest In politics, and who
should be better informed as to our public
men and tho tone OF the discussions In
Congress.
But what else could We expect from young
Vlrginian who was brought up to look on
politicians and lawyers az professional liars
and slanderers? That was the instruction
given In q family Of the State which used to
be called tho Mother of Presidents. and
where, from the earliest days, the bar has
been distinguished for its learning and abil-
ity, and Its devotion to the rights OF men!
II It was true that "interchanges Of gross
personalities and abuse" were frequent In
Congress, that would be no reason why "men
OF real refinement and education" should
the more need Of such men In Congress-.
But 1t Is not true that the tone Of discus
sion In Congress Is commonly or frequently
low and coarse, nor Is It fact that the news.
paper reports Of the debates show 1t to be
such. so far as dignity goes, Congress COM
pares favorably enough with other parlia-
mentary bodies, and there Ia less disposition
to disturb the decorum Of debate than there
used to be.
We are ashamed Of this young Mr.. Brown
of Virginia. He says he is q constant reader
OF THE Sun. and yet he shows dense igno-
rance and the narrowsst prejudice. But, hap
PLY, the intelligent and spirited young men
Of his own State and OF other States are
showing extraordinary interest In politics.
They are not so silly as to fear that they will
suffer In reputation because they concern
themselves about the highest and noblest
interests which can engage citizen Of the
republic. The need OF REFORM where 1t Is
needed, instead Of crushing their ambition,
stimulates 1t all the more. They see that
there Is work for them to do. and they are
eager to be at It, Young Mr.. BROWN is not q
true pupil OF The SUN