Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-01-25
correspondence Of the Burlington Hawk-Eye.
THE NEW YEAR.
MARLBORO, HoTrI Rocro~
MARLBORO HOTEL, Boston,

Is just completed, and all its machinery
seems TO pause moment, as if to mark
the footprints and hear the solemn knell
OF departed year. What millions of bro
ken hearts and crushed hopes respond in
deep tones ofanguish to eachstroke, Jas hour
after hour tells off the quivering pulse Of
az, and seals up its every deed with those
before the flood, until the Judgement of
another day.
The lonely hearth, the vacant chair, the
silent harp, these and thousand other
scattered links in loves discovered chain.
stand out with painful viyidness in the si-
lence of this reflective hour, challenging
each survivorto prepare himself for de-
par1nre from these busy scenes.--to cast
up The long account Of broken promises,
nnheeded mercies, unrepeated sins, and
see what are his prospects for the future,
what the amount Of his investments in
the Treasury Of Benevolence, --what his
resources Of the coming life,-what his
education for linn or,ality,-what foot
prints AS has left on his own character
and prospects.
SUCH an investigation is surely BETTING
each annual revolution in our short span.
These are points in our pathway, whence,
II wise, the eye may catch an instructive
glimpse OF what is passed, and what is to
| come.
But, looking beyond individual interests,
we see the past year marked by events
new and most extraordinary.
The congratulations of the opening year
were scarcely finished, when the world
was suddenly shaken by moral earth
quake in the metropolis of France.
This was followed, in quick succession,
by shock after shock, throughout the Con-
tlnent. The foundations Of ancient dynas-
ties suddenly crumbled, and the consolida-
ted power OF ages, has, in many instances,
given place to anarchy and fearful appre-
tension.
Mind, as if aroused from the sleep of
centuries, rending asunder every fetter
that bound it, rushes forth to luxuriate in
the open air and sunlight of Heaven. LIB
ERrY is the motto which now graces the
peoples flag, in all lands, and inspires with
new life every patriot heart. For secn-
ring this boon, some Of the purest spirits
OF Europe have, the last year, periled life,
fortune, and honor and millions have been
swayed by their example.
The Sovereign Pontiff, Emperors,
Kings, and Dukes, have been seen hum
bly, compromising at the shrine Of Liber-
ty, and bending TO his stern DEGREES. They
may indeed return to their places, but not
to their seats of power. These are among
the things that were,-the things that per-
ished under the footsteps Of AS.
The cause Of Liberty, both civil and re-
ligious, has gained mightier trumphs the
past year, than in the years Of the ReIor-
nation, or any fifty years Of the worlds
history.
Even Nicholas has relaxed bis iron
grasp, and the Sultan become quite tole-
rant.
The Press, that mighty engine of pub
lie sentiment, has, very generally, through
out the Continent, been delivered from
stern censorship, and allowed to speak the
sentiments of citizens rather than Of des-
pots; and millions, furnishing for the Bread
of life, have dared TO ask free access to the
Bible,-the great Charter Of human rights,
as we'll as Of salvation. Bibles are now
ordered for sale in Italy, faster than they
can be furnished; and, as a means Of self
defence, the government Of Turin, more
alive in this respect to the wants of man,
it would seem, than our own free Repub-
lie, has ordered that the Scriptures should
be introduced into all the Universities and
Public Schools of that Catholic kingdom.
Another ofthe remarkable foot prints of
AS, and not the least, is the emancipation
OF the Jews. Nothing affords stronger
evidence of progressed a growing spirit
Of toleration-of the advancement of true
freedom-than the late granting of civil
rights and privileges, in so many conn
tries, TO the Jews. England has done
honor 10 herself in placing son of Abra-
ham among her councillors of State. Rome
too, and Russia, and Turkey, the bitterest
enemies of the Jew for almost two thou
sand years, have We'd with each other in
measures 70. his emancipation. Surely
"this is from the Lord!'' He has indeed
turned back the captivity Of his ancient
people; and the time seems draw ing near,
so long predicted, when they 'shall be
built up and no more destroyed" and .Ie-
rusalem shall again be "thc joy of the
whole earth.'
Amidst these civil changes, Christiani-
ty has exerted everywhere her benign in
fluence. What, indeed, but the pure Cos
pei, which has 10 considerable extent
been circulated throughout Europe within
a few years,-what else could have stay ed
the flow of human blood? what else held
back the axe of the gnillotine from the
neck Of kings, princes and mobiles?
The footprints of 48, in our own land
too, are truly wonderful, both in number
and dimensions-w wonderful for develop
ments in whatever pertains to the advance
ment OF society. Vast has been the in
crease Of our resources and facilities Of
intercourse; vast our increase Of popula-
ton and territory; vast our improvements,
physical, intellectual and moral.
While railroads and steamboats, have
been multiplied as il by magic, our eyes
and ears have, by means Of the magnetic
telegraph, acquired power beyond even
the dreams OF mesmerism. The ringing
of bell, the ticking Of clock. the raging