Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1861-01-02
From the Daily Express of Tuesday


To-day.
!, To day is the beginning Of ls6l-a year
fraught perhaps with more historic results
than any since l776. A year which may
determine for all time to come the strength,
the power and the perpetuity of the Amer
lean Union. year big with the fate OF
freedom and self government. n the new
year day of 1862 dswns upon us united
people. our government still a united gov
eminent and NO flag recognized by Ameri-
eau citizens save the Stars aud the stripes,
then is the great problem solved and the
Anglo American race i capable of self
government Then will constitutional Free
dom advance, individual hspr mess be Sc
cured. universal prosperity become COM
mon and the hopes of the philanthropic
world realized. Then will the hearts OF
all good men rejoice, and earth keep jubi-
lee thousand years. But if one year from
to-day the bright sunlight falls upon dis
severed government-States refusing .alle-
glance to the Federal csmpsct-independ-
ent sovereigpties carved out of this Union
aud denying authority superior to them
selves, then will tia .despotisns OF the old
world rejoice aud monsrchs clutch with a
firmer grasp the glittering diadems that
press their brows. Satan for time will
have been loose upon earth, and humanity
struggling for IT. full development. will be
strangle6 back hundred years.
Evidently this year is an epoch--a time
from which succeeding years may be num-
bered. The chronilogist and historian will
begin the history of important events from
1861. Unborn millions, looking back
through the vista OF the past. will either
curse or bless this coming year History
can record no more dreful event than the
destruction of the American Union-Liber
ty can rejoice over no more glorious
achievement than its perpetuation. HUI
manity clings to the one with all the fever
ish impulse Of great love, and despair
clusters around the other in silent horror
We have but few words of encourage
ment for the coming year. The future
forebodes trouble. Upon the political ho-
rizon hang threatening clouds and eviden-
ces Of a coming storm. Its distant nut
terings already fall upon the ear. and the
lurid glare of lightning plays before the
vision. The passions of men are aroused
AID anger has taken place of reason. The
age Of learning, of thought. Of calm, sober
reasoning seems TO have gone by, aud com
motion and revolution are ell around US,
and war-"grim visaged war;" crashes
lis sharp teeth and seems anxious for a
carnival. What will be the result of all
this, the future can alone unfold-the past
teaches fearful lessons in such times. But
come veal or come woe, it is the duty of
every American citizen, of every lover of
his country, Of every supporter of free in
situations and of the Federal Union, 10
prepare himself for the coming storm. Put
your hodses in order, so that you can obey
the call of your country at any moment she
may need your assistance.
Patriots in times like these should al
ways be ready at the tap of the drum
The threatening cloud may pass and leave
no serious consequences behind-but the
chances are against it. The lightnings
may fash, but the bolt may not fall
The whirlwind may only the more perfect
ly purify the political atmcsphere-but
that is hardly to be expected. Be the re-
suit however as it may, the American pub.
lie enters to-day, the beginning of this, a
new year, under an ominous cloud-hardly
one faint ray of light streams up in the flu
ture aud each day OF this new born year
may tell on the page of history of brave
deeds and great events.
ITO fight
In just cruse and for our country's glory,
ls the best Office Of the best OF men;
And to decline when those motives urge.
IL infamy beneath a coward baseness.',