The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-12-10
THE NE VOLUME.-THE PAST
e1- AND THE FUTURE.

One year ago, with the assistance of a
few Democratic friends whose kindness
we shall not soon forget, we commenced
the publication Of the Union. A po-
litical campaign had just closed, which
the Democracy had come out of second
best. But with ten dollars of current
fands in our pocket and firm reliance
on the intelligence and virtue of the peo-
pie, we engaged in the enterprise. To
add to III embarrassment, our prede-
cesser, as he had a perfect right to do,
commenced settling up the old books at
once, and, as Is always the case, sub
ecribers commenced disseminating their
papers by scores about the same time.
To overcome these difficulties we work
ed night and dey at the case, and was
getting along finely, when we were un-
expectedly attacked with a disease of
the lungs, from which we have at this
writing but barely commenced to recov-
er. With poor health and low finances
we struggled on, and now at the COM
mencement of our second year it is a
matter of no small qualification to US, to
be able to say that our subscription list
is nearly as large as in the palmiest days
of our predecessors, and that notwith-
standing all our pecuniary difficulties if
we could only collect half that is due US
We need owe no man anything. Our sue
cess thus far we W. to the noble Democ-
racy of our young Democratic county,
and we need scarcely say that we look
with confidence to the same source in
the future. As We have before remark
ed, we commenced our first year with
the Democracy half defeated and dispir-
tied; we commence our second year, with
that same party triumphantly in the as
cendant, and its members everywhere
joyous and jubilant. We are we'll aware
that this great victory is due to the eff
forts of no one man or set of men but
has been achieved by the combined
efforts of all, in which we have endeav-
ored to perform our part. All we ask
as a reward for our humble labors, is a
continuance in the future of the liberal
patronage which has been extended to
us in the past.
There will be no lack of matter to make
up an interesting paper the coming year.
Congress is 10 in session, and our State
Legislature will meet in extra session in
9 few weeks. All that may be expect
ed of the Legislature will be the enact
ment ola few obnoxious laws, and a COM
bined effort to Manufacture capital
against the Democratic party. It was
for the latter purpose that smelling
committees were appointed by the Leg
i~slature last winter. Next year an entire
new set of State Officers is to be elect
ed, and the whole subject of taxation
will be under discussion. It is there
fore of the utmost Importance that the
people should properly understand the
issues. On the 4th of March our new
President will be Inaugurated, and his
policy developed. As will be seen by
the Message in to-day's paper, u for
eign relations are likely to become some.
what complicated, and the adjustment
of the question of the Danish Sound
Dues, the annexation of Cuba and our
difficulties with Central america and
Mexico, will all afford topics of interest
Then there lie the settlement of the Kan.
zas difficulties, and the final admission
of Kanzas, Minnesota, Utah and Oregon
As free States, during the coming year.