Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1860-12-29
New Years Day.

down to the present time. The Romans ais"
made this HOLIDAY. and Dedicated it to Janus
with rich and numerous Sacrihrcs INC newly
elected mugi :tracy entered upon their duties on
this day; all undertakings thea commenced were
considered sure to terminate tnVorahly: tn" pco-
pie made each other presents Of gilt dates. hg*.
and plumS and even the c"lp:ror> received from
their subjects new years g;its. which at later
period it became compulsory 4" bestow FROM
the Romans the custom of making presents on
New Years Day was borrowed ny inc 'nr'S,,"hS,
Ly whom il was long retained but even IN those
countries where il fingered longest. in France ana
Scotland for instance, it is falling rapidly INTO
dcsuctudc, and congratunt"ry wishes arc now
almost universally substituted for the more sun
stantial presents that were formerly conferred, on
this day as marks of affection ANA esteem
The above interesting extract is from
Brandc's Encyclopedia. We acknowl-
cIpe the sacrclness of the timc-honorcd
custom. and in Obedience thereto we
salute our readers, patrons, kind neigh
Iors and friends, and wish you all Il
HAPPY New YEAR. Jet us at tins most
interesting period thank Providence for
the gifts of health and other numerous
blessings Which have been SO generally
enjoyed by the people of our Territory
during that year to which we are about
bidding "yoodbyc'' with many regrets
Its memory will be dear to us person.
ally through life. 1t marks the COM
mcnccmcnt of the STANDARD, it chron-
iclcs the period when we hopefully "p-
pcalcd to your confidence and cnco"r-
ayemcnt, and that appeal wasnotvalnIy
made. You responded, and gratitude
forces upon us the pleasant dutyto COW
ct for each of you Gods choicest bless
inys. At this period, so proper for
such an act, we renew our resolves t."
labor more zcalouSly for our own adj
yanccmcnt, trusting thereby to q" our
share in bcnctittinY our race. IN lnplov-
ing the condition of men, and in elcvat-
ing society.
Old Year. We regret to part with
YOU. Associations formed, clingdcarly
to our memory, and we dcllorc to
chronicle that soon YOU mMst be reck-
oncd with the past and gone. Maythc
next one have as many claims upon the
kindly feelings of our readers as the de-
parted one has upon our affections.
New Year to lis is memorable oc-
casion. Were we all to live as we
should, review Of the past would not
provoke gloom. To us it is period
of o,,ict determination. We love to
dwell on the paSt-we love to review
what has been lonc--duringt the cvcnttul
passage of one of these periods, noting
the fact that so much OF our mission on
earth has been closed, what have we ac-
complishcd of the labor allotted to"s?
Have the talents committed to orr
care been properly used! Have we
benefited our fellows, or have we per-
formed any act of usefulness emitting
us to remembrance in the future, or to
the gratitude of the present! 1t we
have idlcd our time, neglected our call
ing, let lis resolve to do differently.
Let the coming year he a new year in
deed in our voyage of life. Few there
arc, If any, who have not during the
departing period lost some near and
dear friend Or relative, transferred from
this scene to the world that has no end.
II We loved them while on earth, be it
our struggle hereafter so to live as tosc
cure their appreciation as they watch
ourevcry move through lifcs cheIuered
scene, from their spirit homes. In the
passing pleasures of the day VIC so CRATE
fully and joyously commemorate, while
striving to make all happy around us
by attesting our own sincere enjoyment
at seeing them happy, let lis briefly de-
vote ourselves to candid self-cXamin-
alton, and resolve to be better men.
Let us remember that life is uncertain,
and that all of us have to die. BE it
our duty, then, on the coming anniver-
sarv so to mould orr resolutions Of flu
turc life that we may not hereafter re-
pine life wasted,a fallingshort in any
of the works, the accomplishment OF
which was our destined mission during
our earthly sojourn.
In reviewing the history Of the past
year, thrilling events have taken place
worthy of admiration of every friend OF
human rights. What American does