Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-01-05
THE RUTLAND HERALD.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 81. 1870.
The Closing Year

pleted. A few hours and II Will be mum
bered with the past. The history viii
then be completed. It's record will moi
be readily forgotten Memorable as hat
been the year in itself, it is impossible tc
lose sight of the fact that it CLOSES de
vade the most pregnant OF the century
aud hundred years hardly less moment
ous than any of the eighteen which have
been thus far comprised within the CHRIS
tian era. Among the years that are
marked for rapid march of startling
events, the present will hold no mean po
sition. In some respects the year just
closing is one of the utmost Importance
not only in! its relation to the actual
events Of the time, but in their effect up
on the future of the world.
Ia our country, affairs have moved with
their accustomed regularity. Prosperity
has attended our pathway, and peace
smiled upon our footsteps as a nation
The government has been administered
9Th fidelity and economy, Our national
debt has been reduced many million
of dollars, and this is still progressing
Many of the burdens of taxation have
been removed, and the advance of the
country in national wealth has been
marked. Ia the political, scientific and
religious life of the people,. some facts
worthy of being noted have been brought
forth. The great doctrine of equal rights
has been fully established, and &C.
knowledged in the entrance of the once
snslayed race to the halls of Congress
The conflict between capital and labor
pas developed many new features of in
terost and Importance, among which il
the introduction of Chinese labor into
New England. In the religious world
events of great Importance have tran
spired. The Pope has been swept from
his temporal power. The unifoation Of
Protestant Germany has been accom-
plshed. These events have inspired thu
faith that France may yet arise from the
dust TO new life of religious faith ano
service, and all the manifestations o.
Gods movements held within the record
of the year hope is inspired of richer
era in the religious world.
Europe has been the theater of great
events. A mighty conflict that bids fair
to sweep many nations into its vortex is
now progressing. The war between
France and Prussia mark the year in a
significant manner, as one of great promi-
nence in history. An Emperor who for
years has welded the political affairs Of
the continent, in little period of time
surrenders his army and his crown and is
now prisoner, while heroic people are
still struggling against the foe. We see
the spectacle of an army marching from
victory to victory without halt, captur-
ing two great armies and besieging the
capitol of the bravest nation in the world,
at the same time other no less notable
events have transpired, which are so ia
miliar as not to need recapitulation In
a general summary of events.
The year will long live in memory as
the one in which terminated the life and
La bors of one man the world held dear
Charles Dickens. Other iIlustrious men
of the century have passed away. Bur
lingamp, Dumas, Farragut, Thomas, Dahl
green, Barnes, Lord, Kendall, Simms and
Prentice. Our own Commonwealth also
mouru- the Io4s of sons and citizens who
will long Or incurred. Peter T. Wash.
burn, Dugp' stewart, George F. Hou0h
ton. Charles Waller, Henry Keyes, al
eminent in their varied relations of hua'-
nesa and public life. None of the year
have marked the fall of so many Of ou'
honorpd citizens in the full vigor of thei'
lives and u.efulness as 1870. Long will
their memories remain with the people o.
our beloved State.
These events-the most prominent ii
the year-will leave a mark upon the biz
tory Of the world that cannot be readily
effaced. Others of less significance ar
scattered all through it, and the verdic'
Of history will he that it has been year
Of progress of the right. Should the Re
public of France maintain its nationality
against the enemies that surround her
IN advance will be made that will cheer
the hearts of the lovers of liberty. ToI
such record, both of the decade and the
century, the year now closing forms a
fitting finale Verify, it has been year
Of wonders in science, material progress,
literature, art, religion, civilization, liber-
~, and may the remaining years of the
century be marked in like results of mo-
mentous character to strengthen its de-
mand upon future generations to re-
oognjzs the century as one of the most IL
Igstrioua in the history of the world.
SABBATH SCHOOL STATIsTIC.--Report-
ID to the Secretary of the State Sabbath