Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-01-01
The Blank volume of 1sos.

Tho year 1861 has departed. 1t is now a book
complete record written and solemnly sealed
ro--:or tho study Of future generations. 1t n
sign and sep:snce--for us or against us-beyond
recall. If We have acted our part wisely and
well, We May rcjpics if not wisely and we'll, we
can ouly hope and regret.
There =re times when the most giddy and ir-
revcren. are visited With serious thoughts. And
mo season is more fruitful of sober reflections
than the irst day of the New Year. Itis then
we arc reminded Of the shortrcss Of time, of the
speed with which it passes away, and OF Its e1.
ccediug uncertainty.
And il the past year is q volume hopelessly
sealed, i: is nuch comfort to know that the year
s.r,t,bin. out before us, is book whose open
pages are as yet white and Indicted. Let Us
all be solemnly heedful, therefore, in writing upon
these open pages, that We write 10 fair hand, IN
lines uniform and regular, in colors that shaii
bring no blush upon our cheeks. Let Us not ior-
ret that the book in which we write is one which
suffers no erasure hereafter, from which no leaf
can be torn, of which no record once made can
be DESTROYED or mu!ilatei. This is the season for
new and wiss resolvcs, for earnest and steadtast
efforts to become better holer moro useful, more
chnritable This is the season to study that beau
tilul poem Excelsior" which depicts tho earnest
nppard impulse of the soul-an impulse not to be
subdued even in death. Dcspisiug danger, resist
ing pleasure, tho youth, bearing tho banner in
II ~ atr1 rr'c
through Ill difficulties to IN Alpine summit.
Warned 10 be content with the elevation attained,
hs cry il still Ercelsior ?" and even in falling
dead ON the highest pinnacle, his cry lie still Ear.
Ncel,ior!" The poet holds in view the idea OF
nevsr-eading progress. After this life, there is
vet an immortal height. to be surmounted-an
ascent in Eternity.
Does not serious thought become US when the
year that has scarcely faded into memory, recalls
the memory Of all the years that are past, with
their long. long catalogue of hours wasted, of
opportunities neglected, Of mercies abused, OF
judgments dcspisei, Of duties omitted, of offences
perpetratsd? May we not we'll pause on the
threshold of the new year, fearful awcd, psnitent,
.rustful, seeking the aids of grace that we may
improve to the utmost what remains of "our ap-
pointed time p
And let US at this season, too, look up and take
courage. 1t is true that political cloud of gloom
and uncertainty is lowering above and around US.
Bot VIC have much ground for hope. The intel
lect Of the North and West thati, truo to tho
Constitution of the land. and to the great princi
Piles of humsn rights that have their foundations
laid deap in human suffering and human expert
ence, is bursting into glorious and bellige:ent
activity. Never since the late war began, has
tho conservative mind of the country, which
spoaks through the press, the mouths of patriotic
orators, and the documents of patriotic public
servants, betokoned SD much living and sarnesl
zeal in the cause of political truth. Before tho
end of the year just now setting in, Justice will
have ascendsd her throne, and her verdict against
the uisunion de,.ructiouists will inevitably be:
Meme meme, ,ekel upharsin! And thon will come
better days for the South and her wsy-worn peo-
pie.
If we arc brave and wise and energetic, We
shall vet demonstrate to the world that the South
ia equal to tho crisis, and can subordinate all
changes to her interest, and yet come forth from
this hour of gloom and trial with that dignity and
honor which become her character and her history