The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-01-01
A. ID. Eighteen hundred md forty-six "A. ID.
Eighteen hundred and Torty-seven

Eighteen hundred and forty-seven.
We wish each and all of our patrons and
friends happy, very happy, New Year, and
congra'ulate them on the general prosperity that
the first Of January, 1S47, witnesses IN our be-
loved country.
Although he year 1916 belongs to the past, it
was marked by many incidents and events which
have an important bearing on the future. These
will be found in another column, under chronicle
gicsl and statistical heads, and we recommend
orr readers TO preserve this days paper as an
index to the history Of the year just closed. We
have taken some pains to compile these tables in
order to present the patrons Of the NeD York He
raid with a rich New Years Gift
The most important event that happened in
the old year is the war with Mexico-a neighbour
ing republic on our own continent This war
was commenced by the enemy, and forced
upon us. Previous to the commencement
Of hostilities, the United States had endured
series OF insults and injuries for a number of
years, which no other nation, able to redress its
wrongs by force, would have submitted to. Not
withstanding our acknowledged ability to force
satisfaction for repeated wrongs, our country,
with magnanimity without parallel in the
history of the world, held forth the olive branch
of peace, and repeatedly asked and implored of
Mexico to retrace her steps and avoid a collision
with us, warning her, at the same time, that, in
the event of hostlhties occurring, we should act
only on the defensive, until selprotection and the
cause Of humanity required us to assume another
position. Mexico refused the hand OF friendship,
and was deaf to our warnings She declared the
two countries at war before a shot was fred by
our troops, and followed up the declaration by
spilling the blood Of our fellow-ctizens on our
own SOIL The war is still in progress, but we
doubt not, that before the end of the present
year. it viii have been brought to an honorable
termination.
The year 1916, then, witnessed a disruption Of
the peaceful relations which the United States
had enjoyed with the whole would, for period
of more than thirty years. The same year, too,
has witnessed some of the most daring military
ami naval exploits that were ever performed
Opposed TO foe three times superior in point of
numbers, our brave regulars and volunteers COM
PEELED the enemy to bite the dust, and such of
them escaped their deadly ann, to fly before
them as chafT before the wind Our navy officers
performed feats of heroism and bravery, which,
Tor dauntess energy and daring, are probably I'M
exampled.
We have now changed our own position. We
have taken an offensive stand. and are prosecuting
the war in the enemy's country. We have gain
ed, and are daily gaining important advantages,
not with a view of conquest, but purely to con-
quer peace. Before this is accomplished, we
may record other victories and other deeds of he
roism and bravery, worthy of our brave army and
navy.
The year 1886, too, has witnessed many changes
in our domestic policy. The Congress of that
year passed the sub-treasury bill, and modified
the tariff OF 1872 but the time that has elapsed
sine they were put in effect, has not been suffi
cimtly long to hazard conjecture on their proba-
BIZ influence on the interests Of the country.
The year 1876 was marked by a love of order
On the part of our citizens which we may be
highly proud OF. We have de nonstrated to the
world that republics afford as adequate protec-
ton to life and property, as any other form of
government.
The year 1916 also witnessed the settlement of
a long and angrily agitated question of boundary
between the United States and Great Britain.
Mutual concession, and reciprocal desire to
avoid the effusion of blood, prevailed over false
ideas of honor; and matter that a. one time
threatened to cause confagration that would
encirce the civilized world, was disposed of
through the influence of civilization and humani-
~.
There are many other events in the year 1876
that we might refer to, if space permitted. We
shall content ourselves with mentioning them in
another column, under appropriate heads.
Adieu, 1916. Thy hand, ls47