The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1868-01-07

t3tiie IL over. 1 cannot say 70 much IN
mise Of the Inhabitants their hospi-
,ality is bounded hss by Their ability.
uassss.sss-~s.ssszaaa.
The following, is brief outline OF
some Of the important events Of the
year which has just closed
The past year has been memorable
for some events which recorded, If they
do no determine, the history OF nations.
In Europe, the battle Of Sadoway pro-
claimed the growth of Prussia md set
tied the question Of German conieder-
alton. and nationality. Bismarck has
been gathering mp the fruits Of that
memorable victory and the result will
place Prussia among the very foremost
nations OF the world.
Austria proiliting by her defeat is
really starting forward in the path Of
reform, and with a protestant for a
leading minister, the government is
emitting loose from the thraldom OF
iopery. Al 10 time for years have 50
nany wise measures been devise d and
pat IN action ut Vienna as during the
past year.
Russia, the great colossus Of the
North, sits calmly biding her time for
tie seizure OF Constantinople, and just
now is intent chiefly on internal re-
forms, and engaged III plans for adyan-
eng the material growth Of the empire
The Greek Church is gaining in strength
aud the Emperor at St petersburgh
aspires to become tho great Sclayic
leader, and consolidate all of his race
IN n nation ofoyerpowering grandure
she certainly has made stride in that
direction.
The gallant and persistent bravery of
the Cretans, in their uprising for free
dom. has won the admiration Of the
world, and stands i'll striking contrast
II the cruelty of the Turks
France has been obliged TO show her
humility and to allow u rival to grow
up by her side. This, III addition to
tne failure i'll Mexico, has taken from
Napoleon the prestige which he preyi-
ously had Tie recent movements in
Italy have not added to the Emperor's
fame, bpt has rather furnished the glo-
~ OF France At no time since he as
cended the French throne have darker
or more lowering clounds gathered
over his political horizon than at pres
ont.
Italy is all in fernent. The failure
Of Garabaldi in his efforts to gain Rome
has not in the least cooled tho ardor Of
Italian aspiration. The people still cry
out for united Italy, aud unless the
cry be needed by Victor Emanuel and
the national Parliament, revolution
is probable.
England has taken n great step il
the direction Of popular government. -
The passage Of the suffrage bill is one
Of the several indications Of the change
which is going on in the nation. This.
however is only the beginning. A gen
eral system Of popular education will
follow, and a modification Of the rela.
ton between Church and State.
In the realm of thought there has
been no marked changes duline the
year. The power Of public opinion makes
itself felt more and more in the af
fairs of State, and notwithstanding the
Papal encyclcal, even the Romish
Church feels the force OF modern IDEAS.
just now Europe seems on the verge Of
striking transitions. The great nations
are increasing the number Of their sol
diers, making rifles and accommodating
vast military stores. Side by side with
this fact is the general activity Of mind
IN pursuit Of knowledge. Europe is
not going to decay The old political
IDEAS are slowly giving place to new
and better ones.a and though the ecclesi-
astical spirit Of the Middle Ages is fast
dying out, and at present many Of the
best minds are in antagonism to the
church, still, out Of this change there
will u the future come a better relig-
ions life.
III our own land the year has been
one Of pause and repair We are en-
during some Of the evils and are pre-
pairing to reap some Of the blessings Of
the war. As yet We have not adjusted
tho rebel States TO the new order Of
things. This is work Of time, and
must he done BY education and the es-
Enlistment 81 the free labor system as
well a. by political action IN the re-
5gous world there is but little to re-
cord The great denominations have
manifested desire for a general union
and there Is an increased religious and
ecclesiastical activity
A general outlook cannot fail to slim
ulats the friends Of human progress 10
more faithful efforts. God is nsing the
various forces 81 the world 10 bring
about the establishment Of a better life
for man On earth. Literature, philoso-
ply, genius, art, the various industries
politics and religion all tend Ia this no.
suit Let the church be true to her
noble position, and inspired by faith
N God and filed with the spirit u
Christ take The leadin this great on
Ward march ~ humanity