Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1866-01-05

what is graver still-has set the nation Free Last
year American soil not too sacred for slavery's
pollution. Now slaves touch our country and their
shackles fall. For the nations organic law has de-
creed It, And again this year has set free the Anglo
Saxon race. Wherever Anglo-Soxon power goes
there II stands committed never before to carry and
establish liberty. Now there is no hypocrisy in. A.
s. standing at for Ango-Saxon and Anti Slavery
Much has been done toward delivering the Latin race
If 1t be tue that
In the gain or loss Of one race,
All The rest have equal claim.
And may hope that the day Is not FIR when Latin
shall imply Liberty as truly rs Anglo-Saxon now i'm
plies Anii-Slavery. May we not verify in the face Of
the worlds history call this the year of Lberty2 In
spirit Of pride, in exaggeraon of the good won,
in careless and selfish confidence, in no blindness
to the dangers around and before us, but in humble
gratitude for the good that Providence has given us
Prophets and kings desired It long,
But died without the sight
in hore that what has goriously come is not to go
back ward: and above ALL in pious and patriotic re-
solve, that far in lies 1t shall be carried on
to its complete and beautiful realization.
The year has to its last day. What is its rec.
ord2 Let us swiftly review it. q
In looking the broad world we find no very
striking changes during the year. 1t seems as though
the nations had been too absorbed in noting events
here to think much Of their own. Yet lifes restless
tide has swept on there MS well MS here. II the map
of Europe remains unchanged the elements seem RI
pening for its change. That tvrant rs despotic
Napoleon, but with less hnn Nnpoeons ability. occu
pies the Prussan throne that he is bent, If appear
nuces misead not, on absorbing into his empire the
provinces of Schleswig and Holsein, last year torn
from Denmark that his police have recently violated
the integrity of Holland, seizng prisoner in the very
nf nj ho hx, M
means over-respectru Of the rights of the smaller
members of the German Confederation, of which his
kingdom is prominent part, prove clearly, In CON
nection with the French emperor's well known lean
ings, what we may expect, now that Leopold, Belg-
ums cautious, moderate, respected and sagacious
king is dead Pamerston, the defender Of natona-
ties and of the balance Of power, can Influence Euro
pean politics more. The year has behed attempts
ut reconciliation between the Court Of Italy and the
See of Rome; and the friends of Italian liberty and
unity have breathed freer they heard of failure in
those attempts, which, ms the Romish Church H.,
could succeed only at the peril sacrifice of liberty
With somewhat incredulous they have heard re-
ports Of the beginning of the withdrawal of the French
troops from Rome; and have hardly known whether
TO rejoice not at the recognition Of the kingdom Of
Italy by the Court Of Spain-Span the one Euro
pean nation devotedly adherng to civil and religious
slavery. If tlapsburg could be trusted we might
hope that u better day for Hungary had begun Ma
poleon is about giving his Agcrine subjects now that
their liberties have been taken from them some of the
benefits and privileges of French civilization What that
is, II reports be true OF the suppression OF free and
noble speech and thought of enormous extravagan
of RIGHTEOUSNESS hardly condescendng even to veil
itself, we can hardly contemplate with satisfaction.
England, by measures which ut this distance, and in
the light of the protests, warnings and peadngs which
her press poured upon when struggled desper-
atcly for existence, look hghhanded, arbitrary and
despotic, has undertaken to crush that great Fenan
organization which threatened to shake if not over
throw her dominion in Ireland. Without waiting for
overt act, she has taken the intiave-the result
remains to be seen.
The general aspect of all this is of a reaction in
Europe uniavorable to progress and liberty. Indeed
the expressed sentiment of Europe t, ward our great
struggle ran the same way. l,ut change already
ap ears, ard If we true To great ideas in the
trying years before us, will become more emphatic.
The British parliament was this year dissolved. What
change the ensuing election made was in the drec-
ton Of greater liberaty and of rendliness
ward our country; and to England's honor be it
named, conspicuous among those elected to her coun-
ellis were men-John Stuart Mill and Mr.. Hughes, fast
friends of our cAuse-who refused TO money in
obtaining place. This change in the British para-
met is sign Of the change going on, and which is
indeed perhaps the most important Observable fact in
the history of Europe this year, in opinion in Europe
regarding America. A fact which it tehooves uur
people carefully TO note and take warning by-for IL
is fraught with consequences to America quite as
wcghtv rs to Europe.
Bef,re pursuing this farther two as yet unsuccessful
undertakings may be mentioned which this year rec
ords-and both of vast consequence-the opening Of
the Suez Canal, and the second attempt to lay the At
lantic telegraph between Europe AVID America. Tn
the cable will be laid in ample season to record the
opening Of the canal, it is not unsafe to expect
When both completed and in useful working, the
earth's circumference will pract cally be reduced
more than one half The effect of such reduction OF
the worlds civilization is question too large to b.
answered, but with which Christianity has a vas
deal to do.
If plenty and prosperity during the year have beer
given to the Old World by the Bounteous Giver, II,
ha also once more sent forth His death-ange robeC
in pestience, double-handed now, to smite not mar
alone but beast well. The cholera and the cattle
plague mysterious in their origin as when they first
descended 10 smte and heal absolutely In the hanc
of the Great Ruler Of al they before science
came into being, have begun their career of purfca
ton through desolation. What its end the next twev,
months may tell. But thev send their warning voc,
across the sea, saying; "WNsh YOU, make you clean
cease to do evil, learn 10 do WELL" Ii is conception
worthy the fertile brain of the French emperor n.
well Of modern science to at ack the disease in III
nursery, in the East, among the crowds Of pilgrim
who flock to Mecca and Jerusalem, and whose misery
50 aor and lgnorancs afford it rigtul opportunity
Do this successfully and what an amount of suffer
ing may mankind be spared.
The change of opinion In Europe toward Amerc;
we have mentioned rs perhaps the most notable fac
there this year. Let us not err respecting It, II in
deed follows and is consequent upon the triumph o.
our institutions in the late civil war: but we shonl'
be narrow AID wrong IL supposed it selfish merely
We should betle our own and mistike Europe
1t behooves us to remember that our cOunry's tri
umph is high and august event. 1t is Profound,
calculated to impress and attract the mind" OF al
thoughtful men, The course Of events leading to II
not less than ITSELF has at naught the prognostic
and baflled the calculation Of all sorts OF think
ers, excepting those who, simply trusting IN the right
like him who stood so calmly Mt the head Of our At
fairs kept "peggine away" Well may it excite
deep and curious interest. There is food in il 70
reverent and earnest study. And Europe has tlos
who will give it such study. Would that more Of on
own people did. They would more profoundly mp
prehend the gravity of our position and the adde'
weight of responsibility which the successful issue
our conflict lays upon us. No more we occup,
the place we did before. Its shame and wrong hav
been washed out in blood, but its retirement too In
ended. Very hungry the looks which Europe cast
the waters to America. "Avoid entangling al
liances" Washingtons advice TO us in reference
| Europe. Wise and good advice. But how could h
foresee Europe's attempts to get new foothods an
controlling power hereY Such are the attempts {
France in Mexico, and Spain in San Domingo, Chi
and Peru. The year has witnessed SPANS failure
San Domingo, and shall rejoice II the coming yea
records the retirement Of Frnnce from Mexico, whic
sc has failed 10 quiet, and SPANS taking of her oF
pressive hands from this continent which she has
| much wronged and so little blessed. That brilliar
| but errutic Frenclman, Lamartne, once chief of III
| French Republic, now claims America as the ,propert
of Europe, aud as such by Europe justlfably to
| interiered WITH in the interest-aasl for Lamarne-
| not Of Humankind, but of the Old Word-that Is, M
of the Future but of the Past not Of Progress but
Decay not Of Freedom but OF Bondage. Now III,
the truth of the old dreams of wealth in the precor
metals is verified, she Is indeed, If no other groun
tempting pize. ut it is for her to say that she
not for Europe, but for the worldi not for any maj
but for mankind
| What now is her record for the yearp In Sout
America war has broken out between Paraguay,
| nominal inland Republic far south aud her negbbor
| md Spain sits armed at the gates Of Chill. Mexic
IL not as disturbed ms before the days OF the empir
has not received quiet at Its hands, and has receive
| Slavery In Jamaica riotOus outbreak against lor
| aud growing injustice visited by vengeance
fer0eioas and monstrous to startle and shock Il