The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1865-01-05
THE old and New Year.

Ts'HiaThe Old and New Wear.
~ Another year Of the worlds history is
numbered with the years ,that Were, o We
stand upon the threshold of another year.
tits q suitable time for reflection upon that
which has been, and that which is to be.
IT will be useful at this, dividing point to
.glsnoe At thepast and to anticipate so far as
we may the realities ofthe misty future.
We have reason to be satisfied with the
past so FAR as we are concerned rs Nation,
and on the whole. We can boast Of an anccs.
try whose virtues are the themes Of praise
the world over. The heritage they lett US
ii noble one. country extensive, rich in
resources, and most advantageously situated
in relation to other nations, They have
lsftun institutions civil, political, educational
and 'yeligions, the most perfect the world has
,prodhocd.- We have reason, too, il, glanc'hg
Of the past to rei6ice over our achievements.
From the small beginning on the rock OF
Plymouth, ga years ago, a nation number
ing s5,ooO,Ooo has grown, not only in pop
auhtion, but in all the elements that consti-
tute trscl greatness Intelligence is more
universally diffnsed than among any other
people, In material progress we have ont
stripped the experience Of mankind, inpow-
er no nation ranks higher, In wealth we we
are the establishment and envy of nations.
And not only may we rejoice over our ex
tended Empire, resting upon two oceans and
bounded by the frozen North and the trop.
? icai South, and over our progress in the
arts of peace and civilization, but alsb in
the fact that, osr people are brave, chival-
rous, and jealous Of their honor and their
rights. Tie war has developed these noble
and manly qualities which the historian has
always regarded as Of chief excellence in hui
man character.
But to nation young, enterprising, and
vigorous, the past is Of far less Importance
than the future. What shall we do, and be,
is far more serious matter than what has
BEEN DONE. The past cannot be altered
The futurais is, in a measure, under our con.
troll. 1t betiooves us, therefore. as individ-
uals and as people, to look calmly at the
situation at the present moment, and prepare
for the exigences of the coming time. We
must, in the first place guard and defend
our sacred institutions, upon which depend
our individual rights, and our national secu-
rity, wealth and greatness. 1t will depend
tnpon us whether this land is to continue
tie land of the free, the home of the brave,
and the asylum of the oppressed. The war
.-ssr. "r - Y
mean time, It will not do to, neglect those
sacred duties Of education, morality and re-
.Ilglon.i taa zniybfs ,ssdio dsea en.'sifnaa
ave embrace this occasion SO far as we
are concerned, to extend to our readers;, the
congratulations of the season, and cordially
wish them, one andall, a HAPpYsNEw YEAR.
May the same good health with which they
have besp blessed the past year, be vouch
sailed to them the coming year NAV peace.
pSaty and prosperity be the lot of all. And
my charity and good works abound, espe
ciaify towards the destitute, those who are
made so by misfortune, or bv the war. And
let US all pray that, the Union being re.
stored. the war may come to an end during
the year. and pssce once more spread her
white wings over our afflicted and desolated
country. At all events let US resolve. what
ever may be in store for us. that we will do
our duty to ourselves, to our country and to
our race.