, 1863-01-01

VOLUME>XV.
EIGHTEEN HCER1ED H221 ANDs1zrx-
With the stroke Of twelve last night end
ed the record Of the second year Of the
Great Rebellion, the twenty-first mouth
since the attack on Sumter, the twenty
fifth since tue first secession convention Of
South Carolina. The year whose opening
gave promise to many minds Of its seeing
completed the crushing Of the enemies Of
the Union, whose earlier months were
gilded with numerous successes to our
arnns, has ended darkly and in doubt, with
armed treason yet insolent and defiant,
with the strongAolds Of the enemy yet un-
reached. Elsewhere We give briefly list
Of prominent events in the year just
closed.
Much las been accomplished by our
arms within these twelve months. The
lines Of the Federal army have been ex-
tended far southwark. Kentucky and
the larger share Of Tennessee, Missouri
and part Of Arkansas, have been freed
from rebel occupation, save in transient
rails. New Orleans and important por-
tions Of Louisiana anl Texas have been
reduced to Federal possession. In North
Carolina the Federal nrms have gained
substantial foothuld. In Virginia the rebel
occupation has been restricted to below the
1sappahannock. The coast blockade has
been efficiently maintained, aud has proved
source Of revenue 10 tho government and
10 the gallant tars employed, Wien prize
money comes to be distributed. We have
donc much during tlic year 10 sliningly
uttcst the valor Of cur troops. We have
put notably Oh record the devotion Of our
people.
Nevertheless the general feeling Of men
whose hearts aro with tho Union, Is one Of
disappointment that moro has not bcc,t ac-
conplIshctl, anxicty for tho future Of our
iln],crillcl country. The historian Of this
war, writing at u time when hc shall hold
in Ills hands Its completed fruits, viii only
then 10 able accurately 10 assign to tic
ycar just closing its proper pluce and share
| in the progress Of this contest. Viewed
from the present standpoint, surrounded
| by The doubt that now clouds the vision,
VIC arc likely TO undcrvaluc tho lessons
costly but needed, which this year las
taught CUR people. The President will to-
day issue the Elict Of Freedom for which
loyal men wait with beating hearts. Who
cannot zee that this death blow to the mon
! strous iniquity Of Human Oppression is
born Of thc disasters and delays that have
been the Instruments Of conversion to
people and Government. Il is ac-
ccptcd as military necessity by
thousands who would not for an
instant entertain it on any moral or hui
name ground. 1tcomcs rs q war measure,
not avowcdly because the blacks are men
and brethren long deprived Of their rights,
hut because their relations TO their masters
VIC may seize and use to our advantage in
behalf Of the Union. But this is progress,
nevertheless, md progress no victory
would hare accorded us. At no time in
heyear was this measure so unlikely, as fol-
| lowing the brilliant successes of the first
few months. Every reverse since that
time, each hour Of delay, every Life lost in
the fnaction Of the camp, has aided to
bring the public mind to the point where
ttt1
the President, giving and insuring liberty
| to the slaves Of the broad States now in re-
bcI1ion, and titus striking the death blow
to the institution itself and the cause oi
those who, in its infamous behcsts, hayt
attacked the government.
Perhaps in no shorter period could tut
other policy Of reaching and subdning tht
rebellion been so completely tested AMI
exploded. II so, the year is not 1os
which has laid On the shelf such exponcnts
If the Pro-slavery plan Of crushing rebel
lion, as Buell. and Mcclellan, and Porter
and seen fade forever from power tht
ncgro-driving sy1npathies Of West Point
Perhaps the interval las been needed tt
convert Border State Unionisrn into bet
ter scn,blance and reality Of loyalty. Twt
successive raids Of John 1lorga,
failed 10 shake Kentucky conservatism
Our readers will be pleased to note else
where how the Louisville Journal shake
and is bowed down under the third. Th
year has seen Missouri's redemption com
plctc, and her Legislature now in sessiol
organized on an outspoken Emancipatio
basis. Was not this worth waiting for
Arc not these proofs that Christian mc1
recognizing a Providence in the affairs {
nations, mey rejoice in, though with prescr
sadness, for ollt Of them will grow MOI
stable benefits to our country than battle
alone, unaided by these moral victorie
could have won.
IL And so has wancd and ended the yea
, The new is begun under brighter and be
ter auspices when the Proclamation sha
call to the mid Of the government fol
!. dred Thousand eager freedmen, to |
c hcnccforth men, and no more slaves. Onl
c in this promise can VIC wish our friends
# 1ArrY New YEAR.