Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-01-03
History of the Past Year.

The political changes of the year. abroad
have neither been many nor important 1t
began in peace, and it ends in peace. The
Kings. Queens. and Emperors, that rclgncd
OF the lst of January. ISIS. we believe, all
wear their crowns in tranquility to-day. At
one period. indeed. war between the two
fr,t-rate power, of Eur"pe-England and
Francc-appcarcd To he imminent, in conse-
uuence of circumstances growing out "t the
attempt upon the life of Napoleon the Third,
in the RE LepeiIetier: but the catastrophe
was happily avoided. rather by the firm and
manly front Of the British Parliamcnt-in its
refusal 10 pass the famous so-callcd Conspl-
racy Bill-than by any particular wisdom or
discretion on the part Of 1.-THE Nephew OF his
Uncle" More recently, the same naughty
pOtentate was on the brink OF Il conflict with
another of the European family, Portugal ::
but Portugal not being as powerful or as
courageous ~ Old England, kept the peace
bv pocketng the insult that had been offered
To- her in the affair of the Charles ct Georges
Pride. however, will have its fall and II, ar
the end of 1859, Louis Napoleon is not in 4
position t. realize how uneasy Is the head
that wears the crown" present portents
of coming trouble in the nation he Is ruling
and running. are good for nothing but to mis-
lead and deceive.
If we turn next To Asia. there is much in
the retrospect to bid the friends of human
progress b. of good cheer. The rebellion IN
India has been well nigh overcome, and
what is equally gratifying, Christian Eng
land has Just declared 10 the world, that the
Successes which attend her arms there are
To he employed to the Improvement rather
than the enslNemcnt ot the natives. y
firm. but mild and responsible government
is to be- substituted for the rapaclous. often
cruel. and always unprincplcd administra-
ton of the East India Company. There Is
to be amnesty for the past with mercy. JUS
tice, and liberation for the future. Here,
again. is more cheerful picture than was
presented in those regions ut the beginning
of the wear, when nought but tales OF blood.
and battles. and cruelty, with then no signs
of approaching peace. came 10 US hy every
mail from the East. Verify the world does
move, even in India, 1t moves. too, Ill that
to us, till ROW. terra ulrogIafd. Japan, or we
could never. within the year, have negotiated
IN excellent treaty of amity and commerce
with it: while in China. the Celestial Flow
cry Land. it not only moves, but goes right
straight ahead. or the four leading civilized
powers of this world, England and France. the
United States and Russia, would never have
been able to obtain privilege which they
could hardly have dreamed at the beginning
of the year of ever obtaining.-the privilege
not ONLY of having ministers in Pekin. but the
right of Christian missionaries to go there too
to preach the doctrines ofJesus of Nazareth.
For this. if nothing else, the year of our Lord
1853 is destined 10 be IN ever memorable one
for the Nations Of the east: and an suspicious
one for the world at large-if the hopes OF
those are not disappointed who believe III the
early coming Of that blessed Millennium, which
is to behold all the Nations of the Earth as
suming the mutual relationship of common
brotherhood.
Such has been the march of events in Eu-
rope and Asia. OF Africa there is nothing
TO be said but this.-that the year goes by
leaving her as vast q blank in the world, and
the worlds affairs. as ever. The day of her
redemption may be nigh" but who can see
it. save with the eye of faith. and in the spir-
it of charity. which hopeth all things, and
bclicveth all things? South America. like
wise. NAV be said to have stood still during
the year. or. if its wrctchcd ACCOMMODATION Of
ill-assorted republics have moved at all, the
moving. it is sad to think, has been not ST
much towards civilization and good govern
ment. but towards barbarianism and anarchy.
So. too, of Mexico our sick man. whom
the dying year finds just ready to tumble in
to his grave with none to succOr or to save.
In all human probability, before the new
year grows old. lis destiny will have been
decided. hut how, or by whom, what pro-
phet or what ghost will come and tell?
As for our own country. aside from the IT.
ritating questions affecting concerns OF do
nestle policy.--which we have had occasion
hitherto to make the subjects Of special re-
view.-the past Is illustrated with many incl
dents gratifying to our national pride, with
but few or no accompanying regrets We
have had controversies controversies
with foreign nations hut the most of these
have been honorahly adjusted. and those which
still remain unsettled do not necessarily in
vulye departure from the peaceful position
which we occupy to-day towards the other GOV
ernmcnts ofthe world. Thus peace. one of the
greatest national blessings. as well as prosper
itv. is our pleasant heritage to-day: and, a.
we bid farewell TO the past let vs. with meek
hearts and due reverence, pray for It's unbro-
ken continuance. not only through the hap
nv New Year" but in all time to come. - "
T. ELpcss.