The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1862-01-08
Reflections for the New Year
THE YEAR PAST AND THE YEAR TO CONF

The year just closed is the most re-
markablc one in our national history, and
one that will long be remembered, alike,
by friend and foe of republican institu-
tons.
Scarcely was the result of the last
Presidential contest known, and it was an
nounced that ABRAHAM LINCOLN was
President elect, and constitutionally so,
even before the policy of his administra-
ton was foreshadowed, than the pestifer-
Gus fires of sedition, that bad for months
been pent up, but still ranking and burn
ing in the breasts of the arch traitors of
the South, burst out with the utmost ma
Lightly and fury, and soon spread over the
entire cotton region Of that inglorious
portion of our country. South Carolina,
the great "Nullfer of 1882, in Deem
Der passed the ordinance Of secession, and
before the 4th OF March, and the inaugu-
ration of the new administration, the en-
tire Gulf region stood pledged to sap the
foundation of the best government. under
the broad heavens, 10 trample on the
constitution that has for nearly three.
fourths of century afforded them the
greatest freedom, and most ample pro-
lection in the pursuit Of wealth and hap
piness, and tear in shreds the Old Flag"
that has long proudly waved in every sea
port in the known world, universally hon
ored and respected.
In few brief weeks the booming of
cannon, dealing hot-shot and shell-death
missiles-on the heads Of the little devot-
ed band within the walls of Sumpter, de-
clared that war, ciVa sUdr! in all its hor-
ros, was inauguratcd.
That thunder sound was heard on the
hill tops of New England and reverbera-
ted along her valleys. 1t rolled over the
the vast prairies of tho West and broke
upon the solitudes of the Rocky Noun
tains. The broad Pacific sent back the
echo. "To arms!" was the cry. The
lion was aroused in his lair. Fifteen mill
-, &c f.oo,,,o,, aroea m, a,,oeoo &C 20 nm
earthquake had shaken their habitations,
and with one voice declared the constitu-
ton must and shall be preserved, the gov-
crnment maintained, the Union defended
and the rebellion crushed.
Thousands of patriots volunteered to
battle for the right, tho treasures of the
nation are poured upon the altar of the
country. In the incredible short space OF
six months an army larger than that with
which Napoleon sought 10 subjugate the
world, armed and equipped for service,
has mustered to the field and now stands
ready to "strike"
"TiIl the last armed foe expires
For freedom and their native land"
And what thus far has been the fortune
Of the contest!
1t is true we suffered most inglorious
defeat at Bull Run, but has not the stig-
ma of that cowardly retreat been fully
wiped out by the victory at Hatteras,
Port Royal, and other fortified points of
vital importance to the enemy, and by
again unfurling to the breeze the proud
"Old Flag" in almost every State where
it had been so wautonly torn down and
desecrated9 And has not the success at
Cheat Mountain, and our advantages
gained in other parts of Missouri and
Kentucky, against fearful odds, forcibly
demonstrated the superior discipline and
differing of our troops? Who, in view
Of all, can doubt that our arms will not
be finally victorious, when the order
Forward p "Marchp' shall have been
given to the 100000 brave troops pant
ing to fight valiaDtly for their country.
Now what are our prospects and hopes
for
THE YEAR TO COME?
Have wo not good reason to believe
that, ere another year shall dawn, peace,
thrice welcome peace, will be fully restor-
ed, that the din Of this accursed civil war,