The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-27
THE UNION.
SATURDAY NIGHT, DEC. 81, lsl5.

pa CNDhi ANiolIA DT-S' - iCfO'
THE ETERNAL SURGE or TIME AND TIDE ROLLS
oN.n
We cordially present (if not little too late) the
customary compliments of the to our readers
and add the wish "a Spanish one, we believe) that
each of them may "lve thousand years.
In few days the year eighteen hundred and
forty-ive will have joined the "past eternity" Yet
there is moral certainty, that with his pinions
plumed, and their strength renewed, Time will con-
tinue fly with his glass and scythe with undated
rapidty, to the same goal now nearly comprised,
None, probably, are so constituted, that upon
the completion of these impressive revolutions the
mind will not be found occupied with reflections
different and better than such as are familiar to il
in the current year. Certainly there are physical
and moral associations, as sublime as can enter into
human conception, awakened by the closing year.
In bidding adieu to the parting year, in
imagination the great circle which our planet has de-
scribed IN period so brief; and can but mediate
upon the strange and mysterious agency of that lu-
minary which Omnipotence has suspended in the
'great abyss" and through whose influences the
earth accomplishing its ETHEREAL voyage, returns to
this quarter Of its orbit.
The termination of the year is "a sort Of breathing
place. where, hating in our career, should pom
der upon the past, and scan the future 1t is par
ticularly appropriate, at such a season, that we
make retrospect of our existence as nation, and
revive the memory of our obligations to that over.
ruling Providence, to whom we owe the homage of
gratitude, for his signal protection Of the repub
lie through the many years of peril of peace it
has passed.
Since the time of the revolutionary struggle, and
during the infant state of our separate independence
up to our present national maturity, superinten-
ding control from above has seemed to direct the
destinies of this country, and particularly at the
most critical periods of its history. At the com
mencement of our contest for freedom, we were
thrice blessed in having at the head of our ar
mics the most unsullied patriot of whom his
tory furnishes any record. In General WASH
ington, there was that harmonious combination of
qualities exactly fitted for the discharge of the du
ties, and to meet the responsibilities, of the great po-
sition to which he was called Anything short of
the perfection which the admirably balanced char
acter of that great presented must have render.
ed our success in the long and bloody struggle of
Tie Olu wal CACtcuiISly ~ "Ouiu lUuceu
he hard to convince any of the survivors, engaged
in that memorable war, that the hand of Heaven
was not apparent in the selection Of the Father of
his Country to carry us triumphantly through it,
Even after the achievement of independence, dangers
Of the most formidable description still threatened;
and the same unexamped purity and dsinterested-
ness saved the country from the consequences
which the popular admiration Of the hero Of the
revolution would certainly have occasioned. He
who might have worn the purple, chose rather the
life of retired soldier.
1t can be only necessary to turn our attention to
the southern portion of this hemisphere, and consid-
the early history of the republics in that quarter,
since their emancipation from the Spanish mon
archy, to have our hearts filled with gratitude by the
recollection that the calamities Of civil strife coming
upon others we have escaped. In South America,
war and anarchy for long time succeeded indie
pendence. But, as if our own country had been
chosen as the consecrated abode of freedom the ele-
ments of discord, and the rivalry of factions, stood
ruled by the genius Of the greatest and best of men,
A poverty-stricken eodiery, who had gone seven
years before to fight the battles of the country are
disbanded, but, constrained by the veneraon borne
to the commander-in-chief, they quietly relinqush
arms, which, under other auspices, might have
been employed in attempts upon the liberty which
they had so recently conquered The peace Of 1883
succeeded by the propitious events we have no
ticed. Under the old confederation, aided by the
bonds of sympathy which a common danger
creates, we stood united against the perscvcr-
ing assaults Of the mother country. But
H. r -. -
compact afforded was universally acknowledged,
and accordingly present constitution was adopt
ed. IL we consider the intrinsic difficulties which
must have arisen in framing a fundamental law for
so many integral sovereignties, expanded over
territory extensive; and, moreover, that several
of the States at the south were distinguished by
social organization radically different from that at
the NORTH we can justly appreciate the embarrass-
mcnts which surrounded our ancestors in framing
promoted, and the distinct interests Of the particu-
lar parts of the confederacy be the same time pro-
tected Reasoning priori, there was nothing
more improbable than the accomplishment of work
SO complicated and perplexing But, again, that
spirit of patriotism refined in the crucbe of the
revolution prevailed and the States ratified the cove
nant which, in all time to come, will constitute the
buwark Of freedom.
Since the establishment of our government, with
such felicity was the plan of it conceived and gem
tie has it been in its operation that no nation of the
earth has enjoyed SO much prosperity and freedom.
The stability of the Union on more than one occa-
ton put to the test-our military prowess confirmed
by brilliant successes in the last war-we may well
feel prepared to meet assaults, and resent provoca
lions, offered by the most powerful nations of the
earth.
May the termination of every succeeding year
bring with it further accessions to the national glory
and furnish evidences OF our increasing prosperity
RELIEF TO VESSELS IN DISTRESS.
In compliance with the humane circular lately is
sued by the Secretary Of the Treasury, directing
Il. - II