White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1870-01-06
Correspondence.
(For the Chief.)
Happy NeW.YeaP.


Happy New.Year.
Time, with its rapid fight. has ushered in
its eighteen hundred and seventeen revolu
ton. But how shall it be appreciatedl Shall
We hail the day, while unconscious of the
blessings and privileges which il briugs'
Many perhaps are promising themselves much
from its continuance. aud from the plans which
they are for ming, as thoagh all their prosperi-
ty and happiness must inevitably be the result
Of those plans. But alas! the year Of III may
find them in another world. To many this Is
certain-the reverse is su re to none. Some
perhaps are promising themselves much. and,
like Tarqufnius supurbus, anticipating imag;-
nary happiness from riches and honor. Many
are ready u adopt the Epicurean motto
" DUN riuipus. pipamvs," (whiie We live. let
US live)-while, at the same time. they do not
appreciate the object for which life was de
signed.
In its true and noble sense would We adopt
this motto to-day, January lst, 1870. Let it
be ours now, henceforth. and through life
% W hile we live, let Us iire." Life, whether
it be good or bad, is just what We make ir.
To some extent, we are the arti6cers Of our
own fortune. Our life is W hat We make it,.
Well has the satirist compared it to a musical
instrument, upon which any one may play
whatever tune suits him best. The Epicure
never looks beyond present enjoyment.
/" Live while YOU live. the Epieur. would say,
IL. a..
The Divine, with more exalted view Of life'a
boon would say. Devote yo.r time. your all
to the Church"
Live while you live. the sacred prsscher cries,
And give to God each moment s il Hies."
Hence every one lives in a sphere peculiar
to his own notions. Life. to some, appears to
be all sunshine. Bright hopes and Joys, gilt.
tering antici pations, are presented constantly
to their view. To others, life is all sorrow,
trouble and despond ency, mingled with cares
and disappointments A bright ray Of hope
occasionally bea ms forth, but quickly vanishes
ard all is darkness and gloom. To many. life
is the reverse-an eager chase after ina ginary
pleasures; perpetual festival, wherein appeal
alternate visions of fancy-one gay scene
quickly following on the recedins footsteps Of
another through life-Fashion tn cir study
Pleasure their object. the ball room their sane
tuary, and the card or billiard table their altar
If they read, it must be novel. merely to Kill
time-always seeking for happ piness. bu. nevs
finding it. Or, if they do. tits like the apple:
of Sodom-ill ashes vhen they taste it. 9th
ers estimate life in proportion to what they
can sell it for, in money. There are other
who consider liie as u sacred trust committed
to them for nobler purposes. To such, tn,
cardinal virtues. Justice, Truth, Charity an,
Love, are the primun mobile. and the uiiimun
fnem Of all their motives. To them the plea
sures, the wealth, and the honor of the world
are valued in proportion as they can be mad
subservient to the cultivat ion OF the mind ant
heart. To such, lie is emphatically wha
they make it-pure, peaceable. The shor
period of this transitory life is indeed what ",
make it. But the life to come will be, no
what we make it, but what God has made it
ultimate holiness and happiness. In anticipa
tion, then, of that life, let the pre- sent, wheth
er prosperous or otherwise, be devoted. LIE
it be remembered, too, that genuine Happiness
cannot result from reaching any point in out
ward circumstances. Tat those who hav,
done the most good-not to thems elves, bu
to their country-have the best title to happi
ness ami greatness. Therefore, as a Just trb
ute to those " ho have secured for US all ths
privileges we enjoy, debt of gratitude is due
First, to onr rulers, under whuse care ant
protection our Government, Notwithstanding
the many storms and tempests which have as
sailed her, still remains triumphant
To our soldiers next, to whose loyalty and
PATRIOTS m We owe freedom from the chains OF
tyranny and the bonds of aristocracy.
To our ministers, plenipote ntiary and eccle.
siastic, for the pres ervation of natio nal peace
and harmony, and the promulsation of the
glorious Gospel
To our teachers Of public schools, to whose
care is committed the guidance of the voutb
who will soon take orr places on the stage Of
life.
To our merchants, mechanics ard farmers,
for their generous contributions to our wants
and necessities.
Let US live, then, while We live. Let Us
adorn that life by such works and deeds, that
when we take our exit therefrom, We nav
leave to posterity an verlastins monument Of
greatness, which the storms and changes of
time shall never ob,iterate. On that monu.
rient let there be inscribed, in language go
legible that all posterity may read, Truth,
Justice, Mercy, Love, and Benev volence. And
finally. in that glorious morn, when all souls
shall be gathered. purified, and restored to
their primitive holiness, then shall we realize
the full fruition of well-spent life. Then,
when those partition walls which are now
erected as barriers shall be broken down, and
the waichmen see, eye to eye. We shall behold
.. Truth. Love. and Mercy in triumph ascending,
And nsture all glowing in Eden's first bloom;
Oa the cold cheek Of Dearh smiles blending,
And besuy immortal awakes from the tomb"
The wheels Of time at length have ushered
in the hour of twelve. But we take no note
Of it, save from its loss. The New Year of
20 has now begun, and I hasten to wish the
Chief and its numerous patrons. and all Others,
A Happy New Year!
ADELPHos.