Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-01-07
1892.


This has been done We have taken
leave Of the Id year, ard consigned it to
lis place among the things which have been,
but that are now past and gone and ire
vacable, and we haze hailed the advent Of
the new and now write TIE year OF eur
Lord one thousaut eight hundred and sixty
two.
Hagiug berslded the year 1862. it may
not he Improbable to take retrospective
view Of the year 1861 i
The year 1861, has, indeed, been sad |
one TO our nation. IN the sad hour of its I
departure many rulse beats low that /
founded mprrily at its approach. and many
a heart that was 5auyant with badness and /
hone twelve months ago. has ceased to pul
safe Radiant it was with promise in the
golden light of its ausricious morn. hat
vicissitnde and change and bloody war has
marked its progress. It's odvent was the
harbingor of blessings which contribute to
the happiness, prosperity and glory of
people. The busy wheels &C commerce
were then performing tIieir successful
rounds. steamers we're gliding our rivers.
and the arts and sciences were prosperlng.
but now how changed Commerce is in
great dosree suspended and our mighty
inland channels present evidence of devas
tating war. They have been turned into
thoroughfares oc blhod; and the death
struggle, and the roar Of cannon. and the
clash Of arms. have taken the place where
peace, prosperity And happiness reigned-
And the waters of the mighty rivers Of the
West and the fair plains of our once plor-
ious country, have been reddered by blood
shed in the conflict of neighbor against
neighhor, brother against brother. and
father against son. Virginia the Mother
Of States-has heen almost wiped out of
/ existence, while Kentucky and Missouri
/ connected to us by every tie Of consanquin
ity, have been desolated by the fratraeidal
I strife. And the end is not yet. The war
still RACES with increased fury; and our
(
progresses, are plunging the country deep,
er and deeper into an abyss from which,
we fear, it can never be rescued.
Therefore. to the patriotic heart. the
chimes Of the departed year. have SOL
cmn cadence. They fall sadly on the ear.
The paid phantoms as they pass in dim
review before us, tell of great achieve
ments, Of lofty enterprises, Of high asrira-
tions, and of glorious Union. mingled
discnrdantly together. as their broken rrag
ments are sweeping along into the ocean OF
oblivion. And who shall stay the fearful
carren'? What can be done, must 5e done
quickly.
But, for a moment, let US drive the un-
welcome visions of the past from our
minds. As dark and threatening as are
the prospective events Of the new born
year, lei us not despair. Let US greet it,
advent with glad welcome; and nray that
the Great Ruler Of the Universe will deliv
er us from the evils which beset our nation
AMI people. The past while it makes us
sad, viii, perohance. make US wiser and
better. At ell events, it should make us
more charitable IN our estimate Of our fell
low men. aud less exnitant in our pride of
manhood, in cur opinions Of right, and in
our estimate of cur nations power.
And here, while we stand upon the
threshold of t&e new born gift Of time
with the unfathomable future facing Us
| let Us remember that to oare-laien mortal,
there is no repoSe from trouble til theg
reach the grave to which the wears arc
soDe,-and that true happiness is not OF
this worlds planting.
In conclusion. it is or sincere wish that
The year 1862, may be one of health and
happiness to the readers of the Signal, and
that their homes may he filed with Tlonty
their hearts with gratitude, and their pur-
sc- with l.