that I should ever have got into notice if I had waited to be
hunted up and pushed forward by older men? You young men get
together and form a 'Rough and Ready' club, and have regular
meetings and speeches. . . . Let every one play the part he can
play best--some speak, some sing, and all 'holler.' Your meetings
will be of evenings; the older men, and the women, will go to
hear you; so that it will not only contribute to the election of
'Old Zach,' but will be an interesting pastime, and improving to
the intellectual faculties of all engaged."

In another letter, answering a young friend who complained of
being neglected, he said:

"Nothing could afford me more satisfaction than to learn that you
and others of my young friends at home are doing battle in the
contest and taking a stand far above any I have ever been able to
reach. . . . I cannot conceive that other old men feel
differently. Of course I cannot demonstrate what I say; but I was
young once, and I am sure I was never ungenerously thrust back. I
hardly know what to say. The way for a young man to rise is to
improve himself every way he can, never suspecting that anybody
wishes to hinder him. Allow me to assure you that suspicion and
jealousy never did help any man in any situation. There may
sometimes be ungenerous attempts to keep a young man down; and
they will succeed, too, if he allows his mind to be diverted from
its true channel to brood over the attempted injury. Cast about
and see if this feeling has not injured every person you have
ever known to fall into it."

He was about forty years old when he wrote this letter. By some