The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-01-17
Passing Away.

Another year is hurrying to it's Death n
year that has stamped its Impress in char
aciers that cannot fade upon tho life of the
Nation and the World year that will
stand out in bold and bloody reiof in the
procession Of the Ages. Born amid the
rumbling of the distant thunder--when the
gathering clouds covered the heavens like a
pail, and the maddening storm was chafng
IN it's fetters--it witnessed the culminatioD
OF one of the foulest conspiracios that ever
signallzed human Crime. II was ushored
in upon paralyzed and panic stricken
country. 1t behold giant shivering in tho
grasp of monster whom il seemingly had
iieither the powor nor tho will to repel. -
It found the stoutest heart frozen with
horror and the sturdiest will feeble with
lear. IL found Treason rampant 10 high
places Pluuder gorging itself at the
fountain hoads of power; InRdelity to trust
Haunting its shame in the White. House and
seUate; Perjury rearing its hideous front
in National Bureaus aud Cabinet Councils.
1t found Government of thirty millions Of
people conspiring against its own life a
President at once bosotted and impure /;
heads Of Departments enacting the rolo OF
"FOrty Thieves" in the face of day; an
Army and Navy saturated with Disloyalty |;
Generals and Commodores laughing Oaths
~
communities converted into bowling mobs /;
Statesmen aud Philan :hropsts and Minis
tiers of the Gospel abetting riot and rapine /;
men whom but the day before We had mot
as brethren springing at our throais like
bloodhounds, and trampling the flag of our
Fathers in the dust. ....
II found the loyal States at onco apathe-
tic and divided; Treason openly appIauded
In our midst men, whose hands were red
with the blood of the Republic, eulogized 10
newspapers and popular conventions as
patriots engaged in o holy cause--struggIing
against an iniquitous thraldom. II found
abe Instruments of Rebellion busy ovor all
the North drilling men in secret to aid
tho South; corresponding with tho chief
oonspiratOrs; manufacturing engines of war
20 be used sgaihst tho Government har.
rangung legislatures, editing "leading Jour
mails, engineering political conventions, and
giving tono 10 our Beat Society l.
IL witnessed another marvel. It saw the
North. maddened by insult and goaded by
wrong, awakened to the consciousness of it's
peril and its degradation. II saw tho pub
lie Patriotism arOus;ng us from heavy
slumber aud putting on it's liberties. IL saw
twonty millions of people, the most iniulli.
gent, tho Lost vlrtuOus, post self-govern-
lug the world ever saw, suddenly remem-
boring they had a country to save and a
heritage OF Freedom to rescue from tho
hand of violence II saw the pulses of the
country quickenod as un6or tho touch of A
Diyiuo hand, aud the virtues that onnoble
manhood blossom into sudden l.fe. IL saw
.the uprising of mighty States the uphoay-
ing of volcanic fires Of Patriotism tho huh
bling of fountains of human BenoyoIonee
that bad long boon sealed. IL saw tho mer.
chant abandoning his ledger; the LAWYER
desortiag his brief; tho minister quitting
his pulpit tbe author dropping his non !.
the artisan leaving his workshop tho ms
baudman quitting his plow Ito fight tho
battles OF their country, and shed their blood
in its behalf.
Tho Old Year dies leaving tho probIom
Of our future unsolved. 1t bcaueatbes to ma
q heritage OF Doubt and Danger; hut II
bequeathes to us also heritage of Hone. II
leaves usto grope in darkness and thick
clouds; but clouds that reveal a'siIyer iihing
IL points, with its palsied finger to tho sun.
light helds that smile beyond tho howlino
wastes of war. Ii bids Us buffet the storm
,--disdain the dsnger-and press heroieally
onsArd. IL shows tho thorny path that W.
must tread, bidfus be brave and fear M,
aud piophesles deliyorance if We will I'm.
6ght the good fight wprthily. -
Shall NO obey the yoice Of the dying Years
-.--s9ibany Eve. Journal. =
ifWia wa taa "a 'H.-
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