The national Republican., 1869-01-01
THE OLD YEAR.


- We take no note Of time but from Its loss,
To siye @ y then then tongue Is wise In man. as II an
The years come and go "like the swift ships -
They hasten away, and become like the years
OF antiquity and the forgotten ages.
Let US, however, standing, as we do to-day,
upon the boundaries of two years, catch and
ponder upon the lessons OF the past, and
gather Instruction from the teachings OF uricd
time.
We live IN an age OF stirring events and
great opportunities, and It is the part OF wis.,
dom to seize these opportunities, and the
agencies and instrumentalities furnished to
our hand, and use them wisely to our own and
the worlds advantage.
It's proper, on this occasion, to take a re-
Prospective view OF the past year, and to note
the progress which has been made in the
worlds condition and the improvement In
human Affairs. The world 10 tending upward
to higher and better civilization the rights
and liberties OF man are being better under.
stood; and more has been accomplished In the
interest of humanity the past year, than there
has been achieved 10 any one year since the
dawn OF the Christian religion. Let US particu.
larize in regard to a few Of the great events
which signsllze the year 1868.
Even in far of China, the oldest and most
populous nation OF the globe, there Is begin
ming TO be a better and higher appreciation
Of the condition and necessities OF the age In
which we live. The Burlingame mission, in
its nature, purposes, progress and results,
opens new page In the history, not only Of
China, but OF the whole world. When there
is a movement like what we now see 10 China
and Japan, we may safely conclude that these
old nations are waking up from the sleep and
stupor Of ages, and that progress Is part and
parcel Of their manifest destinyj and that
there is to be no backward step, but that
an enlightened Christian civilization is to
circle and encompass the whole earth.
Turning our attention to the nations OF
Europe, we behold many wise reforms sug.
gested In the policies which there obtain re-
forms not only suggested. but some Of them
actually carried out. In Austria, which here
tofore has been considered the nation where
progress and Improvement would nnd no aid
or support, even there we have seen, during
the last year, many important reforms insti.
tuted and carried out under the direction OF
Francis Joseph and his able and lightened
minister, Won Buest. The subjects OF that
realm now have greater liberties than II wal
supposed they ever could enjoy without rad
ieal revolution, which should send king, aris
tocracy and Church toppling to their downfall
All over Europe, the republican and demo
cratic principles are spreading and taking
deep hold upon the publis conscience and
heart.
In England, the extension OF the elective
franchise, and the disestablishment Of the
Irish Church, are already fixed facts and q
very large majority Of Liberals have been
elected to Parliament, and Mr.. Gladstone IL
Premier, and John Bright is In the ministry
SO much for the year 1868 in Britain. The full
measure OF these great reforms. in all of theii
benign benefits to mankind, we scarcely begir
to comprehend. The Irish Church establish
ment has gone under. Next will come tn,
English Church then primogeniture, and by
and.by Republic.
The revolution In Spain 10 a marvel, and II
significant OF that approaching hour when
nation shall be born 10 day. 1t may be that
ambitious aspirants for power and place Ia
that country will be able for a time to hood.
wink the people, and to defraud them OF a
portion of their rights but, nevertheless, a
great step has been taken In advance, and
others will follow.
Looking to what has occurred In this coun-
try the past year, we have much to encourage
our hopes for this nation. Seven OF the States
once in rebellion have come pretty much into
harmony with the General Government, and
have adopted constitutions which guarantee
liberty and equal rights to all, and the elee-
tive franchise has been conferred upon race
which but yesterday was held In the most de.
grading and Abiect servitude.
We have also, after a heated political con-
test, elected man President OF the United
States In whom the nation and the world have
confidence, and we may expect that during the
next four years measures will be adopted
which will redound to the best welfare of hu.
manity In all of its economical, social, religi.
Gus and political interests. As individuals
there is one lesson which the dying year i'm.
presses upon us-a lesson which we should
heed. 1t Is this: let US Improve our oppor
tunIties, and Whatsoever our hand hndeth to
do that Is right, do It with our might.
"GatheT ys rosebuds while ye may,
Old time Is still u dying,
Aud that same hywer that blooms to-day
Tomorrow will bo dying.
While we say goodbye to the old year, ant
Joyfully welcome the new, we would max,
our politest bow to all Of our patrons and
friends and conclude by wishing them all q
happy new year.