The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-01
Those Who Will Come After Us.

New Orleans Pieayune.
 Every baby that is seen in his mothers lap, kicking it's little feet as it were, at those around him, and trying to grasp with his tiny pink fingers some invisible and intangible object, may be considered as giving warning to his elders that he and the infantile generation to which he belongs are going to manage the affairs of thls big world, and that those who are now in control would do well to make the most of their opportunities be- fore they shall be uaceremoniously thrust or kicked out of the way by the new corners.
 In order that the younger generations shall be fitted for the great duties and responsibilities to which they are to sue ceed. 1t is of the utmost importance that they shall have such intellectual and moral training and discipline as will de- velop their highest and best qualities and restrain the worst. In this connection a study, made by MT. c. C. Kitchener, in the Association Mems Magazine for Mo- Vember, from sta atistics furnished by the Census Bureau. is interesting. The re- turns upon which the figures are based are largely estimates, as some of the matters included are outside the scope of the census: but even with the lack of accuracy. the conclusions reached are in- teresting, because they relate to the young men of the United States between the ages of 16 and 35.
 It appears from the conclusions reached Shht oo Pci SchI VA tAtC yuuHB ultIl Ol t1c United States are unmarried, while 34 per cent are married. The average age at which these young men married was 3 years.
 the United States live at home, while 45 per cent are boarding.
 Only 10 per cent of the young men are in business for themselves, while S5 per cent are employed by others.
 Forty-six per cent of the men in cities of 5000 or over were born in the country or in towns of over 5000 or less. Three out of seven young men in the country end towns of aOOo or less look forward to living. in the city. Of the population in towns of 3.OO0 or. less, one in seven is a young man. Of the population in cities of 25000 and over, one in four Is young man.
 Tn the country, one young man is board ing to every six living at home. In the city, five young men are boarding to every one living at home.
 In the country, one in two young men go to church regularly; one in three oc. ali In the city. one In four regularly; one in two occasionally and one in seven not at all.
 In families where the father and moth CT belong to the same church, 7S per cent of the young men are church mem bers. In families where the father and mother are church members. but do not belong to the same church. only 55 per
 
 bers. In families where but one of the parents is a church member only 50 per cent of the young men are members of churches.
 developed by these returns are. first, the extraordinary drift of the young men to cities, and, secondly, the fact that this drift of population exercises most poten- tial influence to mold their character. and it cannot be said to be for the better. The young men who hurry to the cities are deprived of the benefits of family life and associa tions which promote mo: ality and religion, They are away from the restraints of home and friends and are subject on all sides to tempta tions and conditions which arc far from being beneficial.
 Much in mans life depends on his character. and character must be form ed when the individual is young and easily impressed. Under favorable asso- citations. his conscience is. aroused. his sense of truth and honor developed, his good impulses strengthened and right principles esta taplished. The habit of act ing rightly being once formed. it is easi- CT to lead life of decency and honesty than when such favorable conditions have not surrounded the youth.
 The idea that intellectual development is all that is required to fit men for the highest duties of life is great mistake. Character is the first requisite. Charac- ter is not mere idea or conception of high qualities, but 1t Is the actual reali- zation of human conduct based on honor and truth. and showing forth in its works uprightness devotion to duty and fidel- ity to trusts reposed upon the individual. intellectual culture. where they are no correct principles and lofty impulses. will count for little. compared with the works of a life which is based on justice. truth and duty.
 The greatest danger to the coming gen. erations seems to be that they are to be deprived in their early years of the as- sociations and influences that are most potential and important in molding and forming the character that is indispen- sable to the men who are to have thrust upon them the weighty responsibilities of. managing in the future the affairs, public and private, of this great world of ours.