The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-02
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ter test Of general prosperity can be found than
the rarity Of their occurrence How few strik
ing years have marked our own history. Passing
over the initial years which witnessed the Decla
ration Of Independence, the peace with England
and the inauguration of Washington, the succeed
ing annals are dull till 1872, when the successful
vindication of American nationality sheds brief
light over the scene; to be followed by period
of sober, dull fact till-when shall we say 4? Some
will protest tina: the Missouri compromise ought
TO redeem 1920 from Obscurity others will have
it that Jacksons election and the final entOmb-
ment Of the ghost Of federalism ought to make
US remember 1929, some will sorrowfully recol-
lect 1887, and the came will plead that 1916
should be saved from oblivion by the tariff of
that year, all will agree that the campaigns Of
Scott and the acquisition Of California embalm
the dates ls47 and ls48..
The year 1856 has no such glories or disasters
TO keep it in memory, and it will be forgotten,
and will claim but little space in history. The
events of the year, so far as the United
States are concerned, have evidently been
the contest in Kansas, and the sqnabbies
with England. How important these matters
seemed to rs at The time yet how trivial they
will appear to the historian! What shall he cay
OF Kansas? That this Territory, prepared for
education by sound organic act, was overrun
ny settlers from New England on the one side
and from Missouri and some Southern States on
the other, each DESTROYS Of establishing their own
peculiar form Of labor there, and excluding all
Others; that these two sets Of settlers growleI az
each other, and even came to hard knocks, as
became their sincerity and their stalwart, earnest
Anglo Saxon lineage that, thereupOn, a poor
man named Pierce, who wanted 10 purchase
Southern support, unlawfully interfered ard
tried to establish military despotism in the
Territory, whereat the whole strong heart Of the
North rebeled but that Pierce, losing his
chance Of reelection, gave up his unlawful
schemes and left the men Of Kansas to their own
devices; upon which the whole hubbub subsidized,
and people forgot al about Kansas. What shall
he say of our disputes with England? That a
foolish minister OF hers, under foolish instruc-
lions from Lord Palnerston, broke our laws,
and was sent about his business, az he deserved,
and thas the English made up their minds to it;
that after being led to the brink of quarrel
about Central America by the knavish schemes
Of politicians the people Of the two nations
in frank manly way, agreed that there
was nothing to fight about. and forced their di-
plomatists to make terms Of settlement; and that
after all the noise, the dispute ended in smoke.
Here arc slender materials for history.
Europe will remember yearly tho treaty Of
peace. When the year opened the horizon
looked gloomy enough for Russia. Her finances
were exhausted, she was beaten in the duel at
Sebastopol, her fleets were sunk, her ports block
AIDED, and there was q very clear prospect that in
the season Of 1856, Cronstadt would b. made to
follow Sebastopol, and peace might be dictated
in the palace at ST. Petersburg. Austria was on
the point Of joining the Western Powers, and. so
far as human foresight could 90, it seemed GER
tain that Russia would be crushed. According
ly, Alexander saved himself by making peace, ut
somc cost of territory, and more cost OF prestige.
Since the treaty, the year has been consumed
n petty chickering's touching its fulflmcnt
France hos bickcred with England, and England
has bickcreJ with Russia; at the time we write,
preparations are being mace for a new confer
encc out of which almost anything may grow.
Naples has continued 10 be the prey Of one Of the
most intoleIable despots in the world. Spain has
takes rctrogradc step, and trembles on the verge
of the usual quadrennisl revolution. Persia,
iDstisated by Russia, has broken the treaty With
Eogland and laid siege to Herat; thus prov okins
war, the beauty Of which is that the antagonists
cannot possibly get at each other.
Commercially, the year has been an cmncntly
prosperous one. The cessation of the drain for
the war has greatly relieved the commercial
world. But from the fact that that drain WIS
mostly supplied by bypotbccations Of the future,
the severity Of the pressure has not been YET
withdrawn. But il has been concealed. The
French government, which is really on the verge
Of bankruptcy, he's made strenuous efforts 10 con-
ceal its condition, and has thu ,cen Led into "a
yoring various financial bubbles which, In
Sunder state, II would not lave corntcnanccl TO-
moment. IN similar manner the remarkable
prosperity and wonderful cSabcrance or this
country have encouraged the formation Of cor
porste Institutions o. basis sometimes quite ms
deluato, and on principles ct war witt sound
financial policy. The railroad system, which has
received IN extension commensurate with the cy-
tent Of ocr country and the speculative snd en-
tcrprisiDs genius of Cur people, has been pushed
70 limits which place It beyond doubt that the
future agricultural ard industril development
Of this country will b. without example, bui also
thai nearly oil our railroads, having acoonpliscl
their purpose Us inarnnents Of devclopan Mt,
will ho failures a. rpcculatons for profit. The
country can well afford TO loec them in view Of
the enormously increased wcalt which they viii
have been tue means Of creating.
ON BtLtIoy.--" Old Bullion Is briekl
Should he survive four or Eve year. longer, he
Ton Years out Of the Senate viii mako much
more oraphic and interesting book than his