The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-02 00:00:00

THE PAST YEAR.

The year that is past has been, beyond all recorded
parallel, a year of successful peace. As such, one can
hardly expect it to contain much that is remarkable.
The events of peace are seldom so conspicuous as the
events of war, and regular legislation passes almost un-
observed by that vast majority of minds which suffer
themselves to be dazzled by sudden and violent change.
Yet the quiet developments of tranquil days are often far
more important and abiding in their real issues than the
showy miracles of war. The most prudent, as well as the
most audacious conqueror, in the justest as well as in the
most flagitious cause, may live to see all the fruits of con-
quest torn away, or all the careful settlements of dearly
purchased treaties utterly annulled. An empire may
boast an unrivalled series of victories and conquests,
which to all profitable purposes, might as well have
been performed in the cheap and bloodless arena of the
theatre or the circus, for the amusement of chil-
dren, instead of the vexation and hurt of man-
kind. They only warn the world of an ambition
perpetually overreaching itself. By no sound test do
we fear a comparison of the past year with any former
eras, however they may seem to stand out in the
page of history ; nor are we afraid to predict that prs-
terity will thus regard it. There are grounds for a con-
fident hope that we are at a turning point in the path of
civilisation, at a beginning of better things. Even in a
world of unforeseen accidents, incalculable forces, and
passions ever ready to burst their bonds, honest endea-
vours after the general peace and welfare, though ever
so thwarted, are never quite thrown away. To say that
we are still at peace with all the world might seem only
an old story. But the last year has singularly abounded
in earnests of international amity of a most encouraging
character. Teo of the most powerful potentates of
Europe and the world have personally interchanged with
our Sovereign assurances of affection and respect.
Usually regarded as the heads of opposite principles and
interests—as the two extremes of the European family,
we have seen them bent on the same errand, accordant
in the same peaceful design, of which our Sovereitea
has been made the felicitous type and centre. In
the one visit we beheld the renewal of a long friend-
ship ; in the other, the now happily established re-
paratien and oblivion of a long and disastrous hostility.
It is thirty years since this island was equally, if thee
equally, honoured. It was then to heal a feud, and in-
cidentally to humble a rival. The reception our yisi•
tors then met with was of that mixed sort which agreed
too well with the painful variety of its circumstances,
and the scarcely extinguished fires of war. The less
questionable object of our recent visitors secured for
them an unanimous welcome. But compliments and
professions are proverbially, hollow. Trial is necessary
to ascertain their value. On two occasions the necessi-
ties of empire, and the impetuosity or personal vanity of
subordinates, have threatened to cloud our relations with
one of these great Powers. More than ordinary wisdom,
and something more than wisdom itself, was called for
to -avert, without weakness and discredit, a collision
really so dreadful and seemingly so near. Passions
had betrayed themselves which needed only to be
met in kind, as apt to be, to involve all Europe in
a blaze, and cast away. in one idle hour the care-
fully-saved and accumulated benefits of a whole age
of peaceful progrees. Both parties came with honour
out of these perilous differences. They showed to
the world that they were rather maintaining a friend-
ship than overcoming a jealousy. In the largeness of
one common cause, the common cause of all nations.
they perceived the just dimensions of a false nationality
and an empty glory. And it is only expressing a
general belief, to say that such are the growing feelings
of the whole European continent. All seem conspiring
for peace. No one now apprehends a war, even of prin-
ciples, or claims for his country the solitary and dubious
honour of holding the balance in that fearful struggle.
Not so unsocial is the part each nation now demands,
not so intrusive are the methods it proposes to employ.
Yet in a sure but silent way, the British empire is ful-
filling a peaceful and beneficent destiny, which tells
rather in other nations than upon them, anti is matter as
much for their domestic as for their political historians.
It is becoming an European conviction that every par-
ticular State is deeply interested in the peace and good
government—the prosperity and improvement of every
other. As it is an unspeakable benefit to us that our
island is not planted in an impassable ocean, is not sur-
rounded by deserts, or savages, or indolent and unproduc-
tive tribes of men, but by brothers in race, and genius, and
cultivation, so is every step of our further progress tied
to theirs. The more we can refine their habits, the mm e
will they be ready to receive ; the more we can increase
their resources, the more will they be able to give. Their
crippled powers, their burdened finances, their restricted
commerce, their discouraged industry, their humbled
spirits and checked expectations, are little less our injury
than theirs. Never was this community of interest so
recognised as at the present moment. Never was it S 3
proved by the universal evidence of facts, by the political
and commercial condition of every nation in the world,
as in this past year. And, as far as this country is con-
cerned, to the existing Government must be conceded a
chief share in establishing that opinion, and still more in
bringing about those facts. In no former year has the
commerce of the country been more flourishing and more
hopeful. Never was the national credit iu a better state,
and Government able to assume so bold a tone with the
public creditor. Never before did so grievous a
burden as the income-tax lie so lightly on
the industry and temper of the people. Never
was there so large a surplus. Never was the
currency and the banking system in a healthier
and securer state. And these are important,
though not very poetical, superlatives. Further from
home, the Chinese treaty has thus fur not disappointed
the most sanguine anticipations. In India, thus far, the
ambitious temerity of the late Governor-General has
not been convicted by any further ill results. The sub-
stitution of a wiser head has arrested the danger. Still
the empire increases. In the universal wreck of native
thrones, the British name is the only stability, and
grows by surviving change. Scarce a whisper of resist-
ance, scarce a tremour of agitation remains. To all ap-
pearances a long and prosperous dominion is there be-
fore us. In British America, thus far, firmness and dis-
cretion have built on the ruins of rebellion a loyal and
reasonable Legislature. These are but fleeting pros-
perities, and therefore to be thanked for year by year.
Within our own shores, the year has been marked
by the absence of any serious political agitation.
Be it good or ill, party has been all but confounded
and destroyed. The Anti-Corn-law League has
been stroked down to civility, and almost to si-
lence, by some concession and much prosperity. Their
craft has been taken from them. The determination
exhibited against the Trish Repealers appears to have
answered all the purposes of a verdict. To a judicial
storm has succeeded comparative national calm. The
faction enjoys the name, rather than the fruits of victory.
Meanwhile, methods securer than State trials are
already in various stages of design and actual operation,
which promise to impart to Ireland at last the duties
and the blessings of the British rule. Pity that there
should be one dark spot to mar the brightness of this re-
trospect, and this still brighter future. But that one is
oo dark, too large to be hidden, and will be told. The
nation thrives, but the people deteriorate. The Irish
peasant and the English labourer have not seen this year
any remission of their wretchedness. The sun of pros-
perity shines, but not for them. The departing year
has left their condition the subject of the day—but no
me-e.—Times.