The Nevada journal., 1852-12-31
The Old and New Year.


MANY most striking occurrences have
passed rapidly over the stage of human action
during the year that closes to-day. The ev-
er.vcaying loom of destiny has wrought
events Of potency and magnitude in the his
tory of mankind in our own land and abroad
since midnight tolled out 1852. A full re-
view of the current of events of the past
year would furnish history not to be sur
passed in interest. However hopeful may be
tho philantbropist, with his yearnings for
progress, or the Christian with his reliance
on the promises of inspiration as to the ulti-
mate position Of mankind, yet no one who
has watched the progress Of the past year
for evidences Of good, can see much outside
of our own land, to indicate the world has
not reccdsd rapidly the past twelve months
in the path Of true progress. Thus, during
the past year tho agents Of despotism have
succeeded in more than recovering the
ground they lost in the four preceding. Rus
sia has steadily increased in influence in Ea'
rope, and issues her DEGREES from her frozen
capital to other powers, to obedisnt listeners
Europe Is more than ever Nuscovite. The
opinion of the Autocrat is the public opinion
of Europe. His thunder is nearly as terrible
on the Danube, the Rhine, the Tiber, aye
and the Thames, as it is on the Neva. Aus
tria no longer trembles in the balance OF rev.
olutionists, but now crushes with ease all her
foes within her ancient dominions. Prussia
no longer quivers between dread oi the
absolutists and her own fierce democracy,
but sits in high communion with the former
Denmark, with Russian assistance and Eng
lish treachery, having crushed the hopes ana
spirit Of German Holstein, and conquered a
peace, has offered the past year as impassive a
wall to progress as its mightier allies. With
rapid decay has crumbled all hope Of freedom
in Italy, in France, in Germany. Belgium
trembles at the nod Of the French usurper.
Where is the spot in Europe that stands to-
day with as bright prospects Of freedom as 1t
possessed twelve months ago? The means Of
retrocession have been silently at work, with
out noise or irruption, but the result is in
full relief Scarce vestige remains of the
tide of revolution of ls4s. The shifting
sands Of tyranny buried them from sight
Standing armies keep guard for despotism
where stood the sentinels of liberty. The
policy Of the monarchs Of Europe has been
to Isolate each people, and to prevent organ
iuation; whenever that's apprehended, brute
force crushes i, in its incipiency.
Turn VIC to England, and SEQ how promis-
ing the future, judging her by her policy OF
the past year, persisted in since Palmerston
was dismissed from the foreign Office for his
leaningsto to constitutional freedom in Europe
Though with many failings, he exercised in
administration more Of the prescience and
libera.i,y Of the great Canning than any 9TH
er English statesman. But he was compelled
10 relinauish station because his acts were
dislikcd in the meridian Of Vienna and o.
St. Petersburg. The interests ofthe Queens
family in Europe must not be hazarded BY
stand for such trifle as constitutional gov
ernment in Europe! With the foreign secre
tary all sympathy for European freedom de
narted from British counsels. The ministr,
Of Russell lost its hold on the honest hearts
of the English masses, was defeated, and the
history Of the policy Of Derby the past yea'
has been as acquiescent to the returning wave
Of absolutism as selfshness and cowardice
could dictate. England now sees with su'
pineness or appreciation the consummated
overthrow and crushing of what she once as
sisted to warm into life. Many are the hopes
she has raised in the populations Of Europe,
which she never assisted to realize. She en-
ters another year, if no fortunats evolution
in her politics has occurred, by policy and
late antecedents, the foe Of constitutional
liberty.
While the political horizon Of Europe is
so dark to republican gaze, it is gratifying
to look at the STATE of our own favored land
That great crisis of eur. ..government-a gen.
eral election, which often removes every off.
Ger in power and puts in others-has passed
peacefully. A great revolution has been eff
fectcd, yet not drop Of blood has been shsd
no ill.will evoked The great experimen,
of republicanism goes gloriously on. Parties
rise and retire, but freedom always triumphs
We have mourned deeply the past year as
nation. Our great mentors, Clay and Web
ster are removed. The echoes Of bsreave
ment are hardly still on the air for these
mighty intellects. Their death alone signal
ICES this closing year.
A neU year dawns upon rs. Standing this
side the shadowy line that divides time from
eternity, it is well to stay moment and re-
fleet, before plunging into the engrossments
Of another year. How firm resolution can