Litchfield enquirer., 1849-01-11
Correspondence of the Enquirer.
The New Year.
MARLBRo' HOTEL, BosroN, J
January /, lS49. {
Underwood.

Another revolution in the wheel of
Time is just completed, and all its vast
machinery seems to pause moment, as
if to mark the footprints and hear the
solemn knell Of a departed year. What
millions Of broken hearts and crushed
hopes respond in deep tones Of anguish
to each stroke, as hour after hour tells Of
the quivering pulse of AS, and seals up
its every deed with those before the
food, until the Judgement of another
day
The lonely hearth, the vacant chair,
the silent harp, these and a thousand
other scattered links in loves discovered
chain, stand out with painful vividness
in the silence of this reflective hour,
challenging each survivor to prepare
himself for departure from these busy
scenes,-to cast up the long account of
broken promises, UNDECIDED mercies, I'M
repented sins, and see what are his pros
poets for the future,-what the amount
of his investment in the Treasury of
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS his resources for
the coming life,-what his education for
Inanaortality,-what foot priRts '48 has
left ON his own character and prospects.
Such ADMINISTRATION is surely betting
each annual revolution in our short span.
These are points in our pathway, whence,
if wise, the eye may catch an instructive
glimpse Of what is passed, and what is
10 come.
But. looking beyond individual inter-
ests, 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 a moral
earthquake in the metropolis OF France.
This was followed, in quick succession,
by shock after shock, throughout the
Continent. The foundations of ancient
dynasties suddenly crumbled, and the
consolidated power of ages, has in many
instances, given place to anarchy and
fearful apprehension.
Mind, as if aroused from the sleep of
centuries, rending assunder every fetter
that bound it, rushed forth to luxuriate
in the open air and sunlight of Heaven
LIBERTY Is the motto whiob now graees
the people's flag. in all lands, and IN
spires with new life every patriotic heart.
! For securing this boon, some Of the ps-
rest spirits of Europe have. the last
year, peiled life, fortune, and honor, and
millions have been swayed by their ex-
ample. f
The Sovereign Pontiff, Emperors,
Kings, and Dukes, have been humbly
compromising at the shrine of Liberty,
and bending TO his stern DEGREES. They
may indeed return to their places, but
not to the seats Of power. These are
are among the things that were,-the
things that persisted under the footprints
Of 40.
Tie cause Of Liberty, both civil and
religious, has gained mightier triumphs
the past year. than in the years of the
Reformation, or any fifty years Of the
worlds history.
Even Nicholas has relaxed his iron
grasp, and the Sultan become quite toll
Grant.
The Press, that mighty engine Of pub
lie sentiment, has. very generally,
throughout the Continent, been deliver
ed from stern censorship, and allowed
to speak the sentiments OF citizens rath.
er than Of despots; and millions, fam.
ishing for the Bread of life, have dared
| to ask free access TO the Blblc,-tht
great Charter Of human rights, as wei
Us Of salvation. Bibles are now ordered
Tor sale in Italy, faster than they can bt
furnished; and, as means of self de
tenee, the government Of Turin, more
alive in this respect, to the wants OF man
it would seem, that our own free Re
public, has ordered that the Scriptures
should be introduced into all the Univer
sites and Public Schools Of that Catho
! lie kingdom.
| Another of the remarkable foot print'
of '4e, and not the least, is the emanci
patton Of the Jews. Nothing affords
stronger evidence of progress-of
] growing spirit of toleration--of the ad
Vancement Of true freedom-than tn
late granting of civil rights and privile
ges. in so many countries. to the Jews
. England has ,done honor To- herself il
placing a, con Of Abraham among he
/ councillors Of State. Rome TOO. AMI
Russia. and Turkey. the Interest enc
mics Of the Jew for almost two thonsan'
years. haNe WED with each other - meaa
nres fbr his emancipation. Surely ETH
Liza frOna the LoTdr !, He, has indeed .tnI
} ned back the captivity Of bis ancient pee
/ pie: and the time seems drawing near. .