Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-01-02

of our Office again, with the aid of DR.. Wren, an
able and kind Physician, we will give him a dose
which will land him safely s tother side of Jor-
dan," much to the edifcation, we trust, of the
public generally. as rf.<
f--i'- ga 1854.
As we write, the old year is struggling in the
agonies of death. Surrounded with its compan-
ions of the past who have returned to witness its
departure, it recapitulates the events which have
transpired during its career, and gladly halls the
dawning of 1855. Like the good and worthy SER
want, it has filled up the measure Of it's existence
and is ready to depart. .aa'aa.s 1ol
To the reflective mind there is something SOL
emn on the departure of the old and the ushering
in of the new year. Our minds are carried back
through the vista of the past, and in imagination
we behold the forms of the dear departed, time
misspent, errors uncorrected, hopes blasted, ami
mosities fostcred. We pause and ask ourselves,
have we done anything for humanity in the year
just gone? Have we in any way advanced the
cause of Truth and of Virtue? Have we been
instrumental in raising our fallen brother from
the depths of degradation into which he has fall
en-? If we have not, the new year will bring us
no joy-if we have, we feel consciousness of
innate strength which enables us to 60 forward
with renewed vigor in the great pathway of life.
To live is to do good, and without this incentive
man is miserable. A life of inactivity, life of
continued crime, must end in a horrible DEATH
1t is we'll then, that at this time, around the death
bed of the old year, with the impressive scenes of
the past floating before US, we should linger for
moment, to form new resolutions and to girt on
the armor of true manhood.
That the year 1854 has been remarkable one,
none can question. The bugle has called to arms
thousands of men, who, in battle array have fall
en- beneath the bullets of the enemy. The nations
of Europe are now mingling in the din of war,
and Kings, Queens, Princes and Potentates,
stand trembling tip-toe, listening to the boom
ing of the cannon that may perhaps cause their
thrones to totter to the ground. Never, in the
history of the world, has such scene been pre-
sented as is now Transporting among the monarch
les of Europe. The commingling of interests on
the part of two hitherto belligerant powers-the
alliance of Turkey, the position of Austria, the
power of Russia, the insurrectionary elements of
Hungary, Poland, Italy, and the German States,
exhibit strange state of affairs, which, however,
must inevitably result in the establishment of a
great Republic-a Republic which will be able to
cope with our own, but whose interests will be
Identical. Peering into the future, as it were by
intuitive perception, we behold France and Eng
land, leveled to the ground by revolutions produ-
ced by the pcoplc-wc behold. Turkey in possess
sion of Russia-we behold Austria and Prussia
siding with Russia-we behold Hungary, Poland,
Italy and the German States free, focking to the
standard of the Republicans in England and
Francc-wc behold out of these chaotic elements
rise mighty Republic, and then the war will be
Liberty and Despotism, and Liberty must tri-
umph. The birth of these, history will note as
occurring in the year 1854.
While, however, all Europe is in arms-while
blood and carnage and death strew the plains and
fill the seas with brave men, our own country
" stands on commanding ground" We have fol-
lowed the advice of the Sc Father of his Country"
and have made no " entanglng alliances " we
have pursued peaceably our own avocations and
prosperity has crowned our efforts. 1t is true
the fell destroyer has passed over the land in the
year just gone, and with his reaper has gathered
many to his fold. 1t is true, where one year ago
sat the husband, father, citizen, friend, now the
chair is vacant. 1t is true, that youth, beauty,
manhood, worth, talent have passed away, and
left record except in &C the old family bible -
-" Died in 1854" 1t is true that many who
left their native land full of hope and joy, have
gone down in the dark ocean, and the winter winds
will sing requium over their graves, and the be-
reaved friends in future years will turn to the
page where the event is recorded-1854. 1t is
true that nature has been less bountful and the
earth has not sent forth her accustomed yield !;
the farmer will note down the deficit of 1854. 1t
is true that great national questions have conyu-
sed the country-thc North and the South have
been brought into antagonism, and bitter words
have flowed from orators lips-old parties have
been destroyed, and new ones have taken their
places and yet, amid all these things the year
1854, will stand pre-eminent upon the page of
history, as one of prosperity to our great and glo
rious country. As firm as ever remain our insti-
tutions-as vigorous as ever grows the tree of
Liberty, and thousands Of Europe's down-trod-
den fastening to our shores to sit beneath it's
| shades. 20 10 t i- '.'
Our growth, however, the past year has not
been confined to the commercial marts, but far
beyond, in the Great West, where nature has been
lavish of her stores there the hardy pioneer wends
his way, rejoicing in the thought of a cot he can
call his own, where he can gather his "household
gods about hin, and pass gently down the dcclv-
ity of life. ION every sidereigns activity, where
one year ago the savage roamed unmolested, and
thus new territories are springing into existence
and new States are being added tothe Union,
giving more power and stability to an already
powerful nation. The arts and the sciences, the
cause of education the cause of religion-the
cause of humanity have been advanced. New
light is dawning upon the world-Error is giving
way to Truth, and judging from the past, We look
forward to a glorious future for I" the land of the
free and the home of the brave" ,0:. oae
In our own territory local questions have
caused heart chickering's, but the feeling is disap-
pearing and the mishaps of 1854, we trust will
be obliterated from memory in 1855. The storm
which has passed over us, has been for our bene-
fit has demonstrated that men in high pla-
ces, men Of wealth, cannot commit crime without
mourning the just Indignation of our people,
and to-day we feel prouder of the citizens of
Minnesota than ever before, because they de-
nounced boldly that which was o ,orong. Aside
from local disputes and discussions the progress