The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1852-12-31
tw- With the present day closes the We.

W With the present day closes the year
1852. 1t is customary on such occasions for
newspaper editors to indulge in sentimental
moralizing-to write long sermons about
melancholy incidents, blighted hopes, un-
realized visions, bitter fruits, and frost-bitten
joys-to tell how many fair forms have beoD
snatched away from the sight, how many
bright creations have persisted, how many
joyous dreams dispelled, until the reader is
almost led to the conclusion that the depart
ing year has been one of painful yicissitudes,
sorrows, disease, desolatiop, and death, with
out single ray or bright spot to relieve the
dark and dreary prospect. For our part
we have no fancy or taste for such sickly
and n,ournfal pictures. We like to look at
the bright side-to get out from the gloomy
shadow of melancholy reflection, to warm
ourself in the sunny places, and extract NIL
the joy that we can from the fleeing mo-
ments by dwelling upon that which is pleas
ant and agreeable. There is no waste but
hath its bright places no desert without its
spring, bubbling upto relieve and gladden. the
faint and way-worn pilgrim; and he is poor,
miserable ungrateful devil who cannot find
something in each passing year that's goodand
pleasing, and to thank God for. True,
every year has its painful incidents, its mis-
fortunes and sorrows, and the one about to
pass away has not perhaps been frcer from
these than others that have preceded It, yet
the cheerful mind can find much in its his
tory to be grateful for. Spring follows Win
tor, and Autumn Summer few weeks ago
the fields were clad with verdure and the
forest bright with its glorious foliage
but today the eye sees nothing but leafless
branches and naked headlands, over which
the wintry winds sweep keen and pitlessly.
Yet We know that Spring will soon be here
again, with its birds, blossoms, and flowers,
Summer with its rich harvests, Autumn with
its golden fruits, and then again old Winter
with his cruel frosts and icy breath. So with
our lives-changc following change, joys and
BOTTOMS, CullHS anu otOlilo,
shade, on to the end. And then
He is the best off who takes the world as
he finds it, and gathers to himself as much
pleasure and happiness as possible, taking
care in his passage through it to plant no
thorns in the pathway Of others. And a
cheerful and contented disposition is the best
evidence we can furnish Of our gratitude for
the blessings we enjoy. We arc not placed
here to grumble, and whine, and render our
selves miserable with our lot but to
"3Iake the best We can of life
Not render it curse
But take it as we would wife,
For better or for worse
to be contented, cheerful and happy, feeling
thankful for the blessings we enjoy, be they
great or small, many or few. Then away
with all melancholy reflections upon the de.
parting year. "Dwell not mournfully upon
the Past, for it comes not back again; en-
Joy the Present, it is thine; and go forth
cheerfully and manfully to battle with
the Future" These are our sentiments
upon this interesting occasion, and we offer
them to the reader gratis, for his approval or
dissent And in conclusion, We wish our
patrons one and all, paying and non.paying
"TIappy New Year." with all the congrntu
lations incident to its birth.