Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-01-02

&C. The last day of the year is sufficiently SOL
emn occasion to awaken thought in the minds OF the
least thoughtful and it would no doubl do so to a
much greater extent it not that tie coming day
is the import ant, perpexing, irritating and uncom-
Portable first OF January, and that most people are
too busy looking forward to the future 10 bestow
much time upon the past.
We know that it is the cant of Ihpse latter times
perhaps of all times-to talk Of the present hour as
the most momentous in the history of the world-as
being, in some measure, The crisis, the eliminating
point for all humanity, and We know not what else.
Making all reasonable allowance for This tendency to
exaggeralion we cannot but feel that this has been
an important ycar--a year of excitements-ot events
in and in politics.
With the commencement of 1856, the allies were
still encamped around Sebastopo, and the Eastern
threatened 10 be of interminable duration with
its close the nations of Europe aleady squabbling
over the terms of the settlement width put Tempo
rary stop TO the carnage in the 0imea, but fixed
nothing securely for the future. With the opening
of 1856, parties were marshalirg their forces for
the coming contest of politics in the United States
The names Of candidates were canvassed-the forces
of different organizations estimateL-'' Sam was
still looked upon power IN the Stale, and men re-
gdrded the Philadelphia assemblage, which nominal
ted Mr. Fillmore, possessing some hope OF beng
able to carry through lis nominee, Then came the
Democratic convention. Then the Black Republican
and under the banners of the latter rallied fanaticsm
sectionasm, and every species of unprincpled am
btion, threatening to rend asunder all the bonds tina
hold the Union together. The contest was hot-the
struggle terrible but the result is knownthe close
OF the year finds sectinnalism defealed-DemCcracy
triumr hant, and Know Nothingsm in possession OF
the single State of Maryland.
During The year all eyes have, at intervals been
turned to Nicaragua. We fear that with its cIoSing
hours the curtain falls upon Walkers Central Amer
lean experience.
What may be the future of Kansas we cannot pre-
tend to say. We know that while one year ago al
was dstui bance there, all is now quiet Much of
this is due to Gov Geary. much also to tls fact that
since the presidential question has been decided for
the present, there is no longer motive for the
L" Freedom Shriekers' to keep up the disturbance
either actually IN Kansas or fguratiWly BY lying
stories in their organs.
OF the various questions which one year ago
threatened our relations with foreign nations, most,
if not ALL have been settled honorably and sasiac-
torily, leaving our course comparatively free from
ENHANCEMENT or apprehension.
The coming year has yet 10 do its work, and by
that work its character must be judged. General
Pierce will vacate the presidential chair, and Mr.
Buchanan will occupy it So far there will be little
change, as i'll all essential matters there IDENTIFY
of principle between the present incumbent and his
successor. But the nation will have reason for
thankfuness in the fact that the present llassorted
Congress will close up business the fourth of
March, and be succeeded by a body in which the
National Democratic element will be in the ascen.
dant-- Daily Journal, 31t M