The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-31

OftISIAI StbY FAFEH.
J. W. NORRIS, Editor.
The last moments OF 1887 are fading away
IS we are preparing to launch forth this, onr
newspaper bark, upon the untried future of
another year, and we may say, as we are COM
PEELED 10 say Of every year latterly, that il has
seemedto us very short one. And yet, when
we glance backward at the incidents Of the old
year, as memory brings them now before us,
we are constrained 10 think that impartial his
tory. in whose keeping the events of that per-
iod now are, will write it down as long one,
long in the sense of fruitfnlness in human
achievements, and human experiences. Tho
years now seem short to the active and enter
prising, in which classes most of the men and
,-omen of our day are included, yet in sober
sooth, years are increasing in length, in pro-
portion as human invention and the achieve
ments of science are multiplying the fac il,ties
Of the race to do in short period, and speed
lily what used to be Of slow accomplishment.
Machinery, Steam, and the Telegraph are now
a-days crowding events thickly together.
1857 will be remembered astronomcally, as
the year when the comet, returning from his
J long visit in foreign parts, would knock our
little planet into pi, and although his comet
ship disappointed the star gazers, still the ex-
pectation and excitement which the prcdic-
ton excited, is an incident which the historian
will record.
Politically. the pas. year has been fruitful
Of events. Not SO exciting in Europe as the
preceding year Of the Russian War, but no
less important, as the one when diplomacy was
busy in settling the relations Of States, so sad
ly embarrassed by that great struggle. The
year will be made ever memorable as the one
in which despotic Russia, struck the sha ckles
from her millions Of stoves, end proclaimed
universal emancipation 10 the serfs throughout
her extended dominions. Old Asia, too, has
been agitated as never before. The ole Celes.
tails have been doing the best they could 10
dispose Of some of their surplus population;
though so far as that is concerned. they have
probably made but indifferent progress, even
with the slight assistance which foreigners
have rendered them, no doubt with the best
intentions in the world. BIT the revolt Of the
old Hindoos is an incident which England will
be apt to remember to the lstest time. Never
since the loss of her American colonies, has
any event in her history looked for the moment
30 serious; as it is. the famous East India Co.,
which for so long period has lorded it with
almost regal powers over India, and which has
gorged itself and its servents with the spoils
OF 30 many conquered nations, goes the way of
all the earth. The events of few months
have done what the eloqnence Of Burke and
Sheridan, a century or less ago failed to do,
opened the eyes Of the English people 20 the
mal-adminstIation Of that concern, and its fate
is sealed. .
Financially, Fifty-seven has been disastrous,
as tn, sevens generally have been they say.
The Banks have suspended, money has been
scarce, thousa ads of business men have failed,
and though the crops have been abundant, and
specie in the country is plenty ,prices Of produce
are unusually low, and the year in business
and pecuniary point of view. closes gloonily
Hard times both in this country and Europe,
will be the distinguishing characteristic Of ISL
This will be SO throughout the world measur-
ably. Our own region, probably, feels it as
little as any, and win be. likely to recover as
speedily as any other.
But especially will the past year be memoir
able in our annals as the period whenth great
question Of human rights now pending before
the American People was brought to an issue;
when two Of the departments of the American
Government at least, gave in their adhesion
anequivocaliy to the cause of human slavery;
the other department is now acting upon the
question, and we have hopes that the claims of
justice and humanity will have advocates and
supporters enough there to save the country,
and roll away the clouds of civil war, which
now obscure our horizon in the direction Of
thu Territory of Kansas.
1857. too, will be pointed to, az the year
when for the first time, a territory Of the Amer
lean Union, dared to raise an arm in open re-
bellon to the authority Of the United States,
and when 6rst the armies Of the Republic were
marshalsd to enforce the laws upon unwilling
American citizens. The Mormon War has
begun. When it will end, the future will de-
termine. We hope il will be short and COM
paratively bloodless; bnt it mus. be confessed
that it looks squally over in the mountains just
now. ,s
Having from week to week, to the best Of
our ability, kept the public posted in regard
to these great events which have been trans
piring at home und abroad we now turn to the
new year, hoping that it will be to our readers,
to our State, to the nation and to the world, a
far happier one than the last has been; oping
that the agtated nations may be restored to
peace; that the clouds which o'erspread our
own skies may speedily pass away; that the
season Of embarrassment in financial matters
may shortly come TO an end; that the channels
of business may soon be opened sgain; that the
Atlantic telegraph may yet unite the old and
new worlds; that the great Steamship may f.
nally get down to the waters, and that every
other conceivable and desirable event in which
any human being can take an interest, will in
due time come to pass; hoping, in short, that
evervhodv the re- adera NJ the CouuIru 90.