Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-31

Sentinel may have an opportunity of making
their arrangements for the new year, we shall
not issue our paper until Wednesday.
-
THE Old AND NEW YEAR.
Tomorrow ushers in new year, and as we
shall issue no paper until Wednesday morn
ing, It will not be inappropriate to make a few
remarks this morning in regard to the past and
the opening year.
The past has been an eventfal year--the
most eventful that has fallen upon us in latter
times, Even while we write fearful war
RACES, in which al the FIRST nations of Chris
tendon are engaged II i A some Of its fsa-
lures renewal Of the crusades. A. nation,
not known to the msEof Vie world in those
ancient days Of chisalry, hss undertaken q
modern crusade against the unbeliefng Turks,
whilst those very nations that led Christendom
against the Infdels Of old-England and
France-have allied themselves with the sol.
diers of the Crescent This is one Of those
contradictions that history not subsequently,
presents us with. ,,r
But ifthe English and the French have re-
nounced the cross and ranged themselves UNI
der the crescent they have not lost those heroic
qualities that shed lustre on them in the days
of Saladin. History shows no more gallant
exploits and no more holly contested battles
than those that have lately taken place.
While other great nations are engaged in
disastrous wars, we, happily for our growing
interests, enjoy profound peace. But we
have pot been without our daysof darkness
and affection. Pestilence has swept over some
portions Of our country leaving death and des-
olation in its track. Other parts of the conn
try have been visited by great conaagrations,
fatal alike to property and to life. ..4S
Nor has disaster been confined to the land.
We have suffered on the great deep beyond all
former parallel. Storms have been as destruc-
tive on the sea, as disease and fires have been
On the shore. 1t will be long before the sad
story of the Inflated Arctic can be effaced from
the memory. Yet her loss forms but one Incl
dent in the history Of The marine disasters of
1854.
The outgoing year has been eventful, too, in
political point of view. 1t has given birth to
one great measure, that attracted more atten-
ton, awakened more feeling, and elected more
discussion than any measure Of latter times.
We refer to the Nebraska bill, by which unau-
thorized legislation was repealed, the Consti-
tuition vindicated, and two new Territories or
ganized. 1t could not reasonably be expected
that measure Of such magnitude and vital In
terest could be passed without opposition from
fanatics. There was opposition. There was
frightful clamor. In one portion of the con-
fsderacy the press and the clergy united in a
frantic effort to defeat that measure, and to
bring odinm upon all its supporters.
But time is cure for many things and q
few months have suficed either altogether to
stife, or temporarily to hush into repose the in
cendiary elements that fanatics, abolitionists,
agitators, and Demagogues threw together to
disturb the public peace. But another politi-
cal movement of ON unusual character has
been sprung upon The country in the last year.
It's beginnings were small but its progress has
been rapid. 1t has extended from city to city,
and from State TO State. 1t boasts that it has
drawn into its ranks men from all the old par
ties. What will be its end no manpv can yet
forsee. 1t is secret and silent party. The
antecedents, however odious, of every member,
are blotted out the moment he joins them. II
is at once the grave, and the resurrection of old
broken down worn out Politicians. They 20
into it disgusting lepers, and are at once made
new and comely men.
This party is one Of the evenis--one Of the
most important events of the year "a. 1t is
an organization that is particularly hostile to
the Democratic party, and it therefore becomes
all Democrats to frown upon It. Wings take
TO il as naturally as ducks TO water, and Il
therefore counts upon having most of the
Wings. Democrats regard it with instructive
horror, and if any join it, it is because they
either have lost the confidence Of their party
or because they are seduced, humbugged and
fooled into it.
Having thus glanced at some of the inipor
tant events of the year sd, we have few word
10 say in regard TO the opening year. Bein
neither prophet nor the son Of a prophet, W
Of course cannot foretell events. We hope ths
war, pestilence, and famine may not visit nj
We hope that all the industrial pursuits of ~
country will prosper. We hope that our poop
ON land and our people on the great deep ma
escape the evils the perils, and the disasters
Of the past year. We hope that peace, plenty
and prosperity will bless this great count
throughout its length and breadth.
The year 1855 will possess much inter,s
for the patriot, the statesman, and the polis
clan. Two months remain Of the term of II
present Congress. Many important subjec
have to be considered and passed upon With
that period; perhaps the most important
which are the modification of the Tariff ar
the increase Of the Army and Navy.
The meeting Of the next Congress will for