The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-12-26
The N,clC TeNr.

This number Of the Advocdte is the
last regular issue of this year. The de-
cree of time has been as inexorably en-.
forced against 1867 as its predecessors,
aud the new year springs to existence
Only to be hurried along into eternity.
Thus do they come and go. The old
carrying away with them the works
which men so laboriously strive to COM
pletc. The builder, TOO, is snatched
away; the loved and the hated, the
despised and the honored hearts
whereon the sunshine of happy pres.
cut, and the bright dawnings of hap.
pier future 1oll and break in gentlest
h;rn,nJ; hearts cankcred with the dis.
appointments of life, whereon the waves
OF bitter memories break and surge re-
lentlcssly, are alike victims, and the
New Year again sings the song of the
old. 1t we're well, if looking to the
past we read with profit from its fading
page the lessons it has given and
heed them: but we are prone to forget,
because it is always" to-day" we spend
moments lavishly; needless that they
are passing into hours, and the hours
again into days; needless because the
soul looking ever at the world in its
beauty, wearies if for a brief space it
glances to eternity; SO far, far away,
hardly speck on the horizon, the soul
never dreams how swiftly the end ap-
proaches needless because the smile of
friends, the warm grasp of the hand,
heart speaking to heart, alas tell only
Of the present.
For ourself, we cannot ever return
sufficiently, the thanks and favors due
the patrons of the AdOocute. We are
keenly conscious of our failings our
readers must try to bear with them and
with us. We have the knowledge that
to the best OF our abilities we have striv.
en- to work out the tull measure of oui
duties. We have eudeavored to make
the Adcocdte paper [proportionately
equal to any of its neighbors, and tha
our efforts have not been altogether un
avsiliug, our increased list and large ad
vertising patronage, to US, are the bes
evidences. The coming year will, W
hope, and confidently expect, see othe
Improvements in each department of ou
paper. Joined 20 no clique or faction
while we ever have, and ever will tena
ciously cling to, and stsunchly uphol
the Democratic party, we have ais
made the Adcocate empha:ically fan
lily paper. We hope we have given o.
fence to no one. Such was never ou
intention, and we trust our readers bea
to us the kindliness of feeling wit
which We greet them, one and all.
Our country, unhappily, while yield
ing from her mo ther breast, bountifl
harvest, has not been blessed with tn
realizations of the hopes cherished {
the time General Lee surrendered
practically the contending armies al
clustered around Appommattox Cou
House and stabs are driven, not, il
deed, with the bayonet, but the MOI
dangerous-because silent in its strok,
weapon of fanaticai rule. A reckle
faction, drunk with plunder, and file
with hate, ignoring its owD solemn de
larations, and the voice of the peopl
seeks to utterly subvert our constitutio
laws and institutes. Ten aovereigntie
which gave to US Henry, who fearless
threw down the gauntlet to oppression
Washington who breashed upon d
States and gave them life /; Marion al
Sumpter, Green and Jackson - a
bound ruthlessly, and given over to t
domination of an ignorant and vengei
horde. Their Constitutions disregardc
their dearest rights denied them, robbie
starved and impoverished at the will
Military Commander, without law
redress, and even denied the poor be
of seeking justice. Torn and divid
by internal dissension, we hail, for {
country, the death of the year we
so much nearer our deliverance. N