Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-01-03
AN ADDRESS.

Clal NoIIeSe oouEnal' we give IL PIaoe
in our columns on account of the valuable
teachings it contains, 1t may be read
with profit, not only by the scholars pur-
suing a commercial education, but by
every young man in the land, pointing out
as j, does some ofthe most important ele-
menIs of success in the business affairs of
life, md warning the weak to shun the
vices 0. society:
The subject to-day, on the opening of
the New Year, will be somewhat general,
treating mostly upon "3he True Elements
of Success"
had hoped to be able to prepare, ex-
pressly for this occasion, lecture which
should treat more fully so important a sub
ject; but other duties have pressed so
heavily upon my time that have failed to
do SO, and | can only offer such thoughts
as may occur to me, without preparation
We are all about entering upon a new
year, to most of you the most important
one of your lives from the fact that you
are now preparing to take the helm of
your own ship Of destiny, and embark for
yourselves upon the tickle sea Of fortune;
but IN view Of the Importance Of the new
year, let US not ignore the old one, or for
get its lessons. 1t is fitting that We at
some periods in our lives, pause for retlec-
ton; for in the past only do we find eX-
perlenee. In that Is our guide for the fu-
ture. The experiences and requirements
of each old year, should be means to us
for larger and more certain success for
the succeeding one. There is, perhaps,
no more appropriate period of the year
for turning to study the past-to make
new resolves, to turn over a new leaf, as
the saying ls-than on New Year.
Who, among all of US, has in all res
poets made the best possible USE of the |
old year? How many hours have been
allowed to pass at least idly, if not in dis
slpation, and to our own personal injury |
Resolve then that the record of the coming |
year shall be entirel y to your honor and |
elevation, without stain Or aught for future |
regret.
The year that has past has written the
brightest page in the annals of American
History. -Four millions of human beings
who, at its dawn, groaned as slaves, now
rejoice as freemen. Though bright and
glorious, it is not without its blots, by
crimes the most black and terribly that
have ever stained the pages of history.
While the cause OF human freedom has
been nobly advancing, Chief Magistrate,
the noblest patriot of all the champions of
liberty, has allen a sacrifice to the sacred
principles off liberty and Justice the
foul hands of the assassin. We have wit
messed, during the by gone year, our ma
ten rejoicing as no other nation ever re-
joiced, and we have witnessed it shrouded
10 the deepest mourning, bowed TO earth in
grief.
Last New Year dawned upon us cloud
ed with the smoke, and resembling to the
din of battle. 1t behed million Of pat
riots armed and struggling against the
most bloody and wicked rebellion that has
ever Redeemed page of history, AS the
present year dawns, the terrible war clouds
have passed, and peace rendered more
lovely by the contrast is the scene. The
din Of battle with us has ceased, and the
buzz of the factory, the hum of industry,
and the sweet music of peace, is the song
of the New Year. Brave patriot soldiers
of 1865 are the good citizens of 1866.
In the four years contest that has been
brought to SO successful an issue during
the past year, slavery and arIstocracv have
been the combatantS on the one hand,
freedom and democracy on the other.
They have measured their strength in the
fight, and it is to be hoped for the cause of
humanity, that the former is too complete
ly vanQuished to ever again attempt to
overthrow or arrest the progress Of man
to universal liberty
That contest has decided, too. the LONG
doubtful question as 20 the perpetuty of
republican institutions IN this country The
ABILITY of Republican Government TO
withstand revolution or foreign aggression
is now indicated. No longer can des-
pouc Europe taunt US, that free nstitu-
tlons are failure, that the Union IS
rope Of sand, already broken; but rather
let despots take warning lest Democracy
bring them TO a trial, in which they shall
be found wanting.
The Rebellion is crushed. In 1866 not
slave treads our soil. Our country to-
day stands forth regenerated, her escutch-
cons are washed white of the foul blot of
human bondage, in the blood of 100000
of her noblest patriots. And small indeed
is the national debt of 3,000,000000 of
dollars compared with the debt of graft
tude due to the SCARED veterans Of the
Union Army. The former debt NAV be
paid, the latter, never.
The complete overthrow of the Rebel
lion, with the eradication of the principles
and Institutions hostile and antagonistic to
American liberty, opens to republican in
situations a prospective future that dazzles
all precedents. The vast extent of terri
tory, fertile soil, salubrious climate, the
great inland seas, and long navigable riv-
ers, are physical elements of natural great,
ness upon a scale grander and more mag
nifcent than the world affords elsewhere.