Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-12-31
Tbe gtan6ar0.
RALEIGH, SATURDAY, DEC, 81, 1858.
THE NEW YEAR,

reasonably desire.
The past year has been, in many respects, most
ortfl one While the elder nations have been vexed
tb discordant counsels and plunged in the calami-
~, Of anarchy and war; these States have been bless
VI Nth peace, concord, and rapid but at the same
49, solid advancement in the arts, sciences, and in
.and in whatsoever is chiefly calculated to improve
I'D elevate human character and human institutions
Nor has the present any thing in it to cause us to
,o with foreboding upon the revelations of the ap-
.oocbug wear. Those questions, of so delicate and
to nature, which but brief period since distur-
Id al classes and conditions of the people, threat
.irc as many feared, disruption of the Confed-
low and civil strife, have been settled and it should
=. the earnest prayer of all, of whatsoever party,
tho+ no hand may be permitted to bring them up
soo their repose So far the official head OF the
ponubic is connected with these questions, we have
bis word solemnly given and the record OF his lie
bsre lis as guarantee that he will discountenance,
;r the promptest and sternest manner, any and all
o4orts come from what quarter they may, to renew
controversy so full of peril to our institutions and
the hopes of man.
An tbe experience of the past, as well as recent
and nrcsent movements in the Old World, admon1sh
,s &C q neopIe to avoid "entangling alliances with
other nations, or such interference in their al
frs as would Justly involve us in their strles and
oo,onsies This is the true policy 1t is the pohcy
of WASHINGTON. of Jackson of Polk, and of Pierce;
+ in anv sense antagonistc to the fullest ana
stonoest expression of our sympathies for Cypress
cd and doUn-trodden peoples. Over all the world,
zion, distant India to Ireland, the hand of the op-
r-ossor whether disclosed as that of the king,
the emperor. or the aristocrat, is still lifted in its
bloody and perfdious work; yet the great idea OF
natonalities has taken deep hold on the MINDS OF
the masses, and as they struggle up from Oeneatn
the darkness which blinds and the despotisms that
consume, we would have them look hitherward, and
take new courage from the light which burns with
so steady and glorious lustre in the western hem
isphere. Let us give them words OF encouragement
and hope, well as the benefit of our example; we
know of treaties we have heard OF no information
al law which can prevent free people from utterng
declarations their own soil in behalf OF human hb-
ertv or denuncations, if they choose, of Infamous
misgovernment and cold-blooded despotism on the
part of arstoeracies and kings. Let US continue to
sneak as Mr. Webster did in his Hulsemann letter.
as President Pierce speaks in his Inaugural and as
Mr. Marcy has recently done in his mastery reply
to the Austrian Minister Thus far now, and no far
Their: but the dawn of more commanding day for
this Republic in the affairs of all nations is already
visible If these States remain united, and go for
ward gathering power and growing stronger in re-
sources and numbers in proportion to their growth
in the past they will soon reach period in position
and in the worlds affairs, the responsibilities of
which will bear little comparison with those now
upon US. International law, the work mainly of
kingly governments-or rather the emanation of
minds more or less circumscribed and darkened by
kingly rule-will undergo important changes; the
Interpretation will be, not as despots would have it,
but according to the understanding and the will of
free selfgoverning States. The mere word of the
President of the United States, uttered to the Con-
gross and approved by the representatives of the
people and Of the States, is yet destined to exert
more potent influence on the worlds affars than the
edicts of all kings and enperors combined.
But we have dgressed.
The year now closing has been one of unpreceden-
ted prosperity for North Carolina All her interests
have felt the vvying touch of increased and varied
enterprise; and her people, many of whom have
heretofore annually abandoned her for newer and
more fertile regions, are becoming more and more
disposed to remain to join in the good work of ply
steal and mental improvement now so auspiciously
gong on. Common Schools and Internal Improve
ments have at length become portion of her estab-
hShed governmental policy; and these two sources
OF mvlgoration and power, we venture to affirm,
would of themselves if steadily and iudiciousIy wiel-
ded, make sure the regeneration and prosperity of
any civilized State. Mind-the strong minds of the
poor boys as well of the rich-are coming out in
tne ght; the school-house the privilege to enter
ior instruction, without money or price, is a right
winch all can claim, and which, in its results for
sOeo upon posterity, cannot be overstated or over
eS'iniated The system of Internal improvements
now IN existence, will be maintained; and other
"orHS WILL in due time be added until the blue wa
"fS OF Beaufort Harbor and of Wilmington shall be
united by Railway to the blue mountains of the
meS and until all portions of the State shall either
urecty or indirectly realize the benefits of these i'm
p'O'ements. The work before the public men and
people OF the State, however, is as arduous it is
Inportant and noble; our Common Schools must be
IeA iurther mproved-our rivers, where it is prac
~"e' must be cleared and rendered navigable-
,OauS' ral and plank, must be CONSTRUCTIONS
mineral wealth of iron, gold, silver, "copper" coal,
marble and the like must be developed: and the pri-
N! interest, Agriculture in all its branches, will
D"O' as heretofore and we trust will receive, the
asement and fostering aid of government. In
;0iu' the new year, as it approaches with bless
Is upon Its wings for the laborious and deserving
o. -1 upon all men every where within our borders,
g. <OSe themselves to their duties and responsible
"no u Dear part-an active and heartfelt part
and Sne work of enlghtening and elevating mind,
ho y. advancing by all just and feasible means, all
Industrial interests of the State To ATTEMPT to
&c Stn at once to fall behind; indeed, we might
Pafo c-1I 10y