Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-01-02
From the Daily, Dee. 3lst.l
THE oLDhEAR. THENEw YEAF.


wear Of strar &c cy-nts, Of dire conflicts, OF
countless deaths by violence, Of mourning
and many soirows, Of victories and defeats,
of Freedoms hard fought battles. A few
mere events, few more Aeeting moments,
and We pass the dividing line the nerer-to-
he re-opened gates close behind US, and the
Year of our Lord, 1862, is with the irTevoca-
bic past. Only the prophecies born OF Its
great events viii still 1--we and have a power
as existing realities among us. Only the
results Of its stern conflicts will remain.
The year thus passing away will live asaiE
upon the page Of the historian. The contest
for liberty, the blows that break the letters
Of the capliyes. arc not idle 'Hcr useless. nor
will they be forgotten. Vast as the oonhic.
Of the year has been. when viewed with ref
erence to its material aspects, it appears still
more vast when viewed with reference to the
interests at stake. Never belyre have tic
great questions in which our race axe most
deeply interested been involved in such con-
test. Or so dependent upon Its issue. Tho
record Of the Old Year will be studied with in
tense interest, by these who. in future days,
seek to Learn lessons Of wisdom from the
journal Of Time.
Though the hopes which were cherished
when the year began, that another New
Years day would see tie rebellion put down
and the nation, once more whole, commen-
chg a new ard brighter yer Of PFC PaTi'y,
have been frustrated
Though may Ugh; q d,skened and many
shall weep
For those that sre crushed in the cla,h CT
isrring claims"
there is yet. in looking back over the unal;1r-
able record, much cause to he thankful or
in the past, and to be hopeful for in the fu-
tuTe. There has been no gain to the robI
cause, Of territory or Of power, not one inch
more Of coil have they gained within the year;
bat whole States have passed from their con-
t-ol; the wall Of FIRE has closed around them ,
and slowly but surely presses in. 4 deadly
check has been given to cur national curse
and sin. and tomorrow sun viii rise uI0n
q day that openly declares to the world III
louder tones than ever, that this z .verumoHt
is to be administered for Freedom, not for
Slavery-for all men within its borders, not
for few who are determined to rule OF ruin.
Though anticipated successes of our arms
have not been obtained, though even defeats
have saddened our hearts, the Nation to-day
Is a. strong. a. determined in is purpose to
put down tie rebellion % cy5r before. D,s-
rite unavoidable financial troubles, Despite
threats Of foreign Intervention to help our
enemies, despite actual assistance given with
one hand while jhe other holds back cur
commanders from their prize, We think the
Government stands this day stronger before
tie world. than at the end Of any previous
year e ITS existence ard whom the armies
0 the Slave Clulederacy ale beaten aud diE-
? reed, aud the olt.frac aired .. backbone of
e rebellion" l. really crushed, We shall
doubles be able to look back and see that
in 10 way could firm and lasting peace"
have been secured except through the bloody
events Of the year 1862.
We bid ali eur frionlsa HAPPY NEW YEAR;
n55 b-esuse We believe there Will b. No cause
ias great personal sonows among them, ::
many homes will have to mourn the loss "i
SONS. brothers aud husbands fallen on tie
battle field OF ia the hospitals; not because
there viii he no more ANXIOUS days about the
course Of events in cur beloved country, for
We nust expect t. have clouds obscure the
national horizon many times before the full
sunshine Of peace and order shall return
throughout its vast borders but because we
have an unwavarng faith in the glorious
iuture of d government based, As our own Is,
on the eternal principles If equality and
Justice among men. 1t was wonderful step
IN humAn progress when such . government
was formed 1t WAS to- much TO hope that
the mighty truths which were set forth in
the Declaration of Independence, and en-
bodied in the governmental formulas which
followed it, should be realized at once IN all
their details Such is not according to the |
dispensations of Divine Providence IN this |
imperfect world. Generations OF men pass |
away between the first obscure awakening |
and the full perception in the human mind
of some principle which from it's adoption is
to be leaTeu Of immortal energy for good
TO the human race. And after its perfect
announcement, other generations have to
pass away before 1t can purge out of society,
out of the body polite, the deep rooted evils
10 conflict with it, which have been gathering
strength for ages. Only through blood and
fire, through sacrifice and tribulation, does
Gcd bring about such great changes for good
among men. We must accept the trials and
suiferings as they come, and trust HIM for
the blessings which will surely follow if we
are faithful and persevTing. So We with ali
our friends a Harry NV YEAR, for 1868.