Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-11-17
what OF the Future.


bringing its lich harvest to gladden. the
heart Of man, and now, in the season of
thanksgiving, it seems rs if the great heart
of mankind should arise with one impulse
to render thanks 10 the Author Of all good
for His infinite blessings. But unfortu-
nately for the human RAGS. they are not
satisfied to accept the gifts Of God and to
use them for good. and instead of univer-
sal gladness in the Christian word, at least,
we find universal discomfort with the pres
ent, and anxious foreboding for the fu-
ture.
That such is the case in this uuntry
needs no demonstration. While We are
exempt from some OF the evils which stfiict
older centres of civilization, We are afflicted
with others of cur own creation. The
general corruption in Office, the oppression
of one portion Of the country by the other.
the usurpations upon the liberties Of the
people, are only few of those that could
be enumerated. If We look around US we see
at our doors Mexico once more abandoned
to complete anarchy, and some of the
South American republics in no bet
ter condition. In Europe there is uni
versal uneasiness pervading every
State and every Class of society. This
anxiety is felt not only in poor bleeding
France, humiliated, mutilated and de-
spoiled, but even in hitherto placid and
prosperous England, now trembling at the
prospect of sociel ard political revolu-
ton. All over Europe the masses of the
people are dis contented with their social
condition, and they manifest their dissat-
isfaction in way that shows determina-
ton to effect change at any cost. Nor
is this the only element Of disgust. All
the signs point to general var, in COM
parison with which, the last will appear al
most insignificant. Preparations are max
ing for it on gigantic scale in Prussia and
Russia, ard the contest will be between
those two nations for the supremacy in
Europe. When they 60 to war all the
others will be drawn into the vortex. All
the European press correspondents seem
to agree in predicting that the year 1872
will probably be the bloodiest of this cen
fury. While Russia is has ering the or
ganization of her army upon scale hith-
erto unprecedented, Prussia is strengthen
ing all her fortresses npan her northeast
ern frontier, aud purchasing immense
quantities of fnrs ard sheep skins for her
army, in view of Il northern campaign.
Maps of the Polish provinces have already
been distributed among the Prussian Off
GERS, and they lave been epjoined to study
the Polish and Russian tongues. The Ian
guage of the cstute Bismarck before the
Reiohsrath indicates that he expects war,
Imperial war fluid, proves that they share
in the expectation.
It seems like madness for nations thus
to plunge into war, for the acquisition Of
territory. 1t is against the dictates not
only of Christianity, but Of the plainest
common-seEss, for even in successful
war, the conque1ors suffer nearly as much
as the conquered. But still the stubborn
fact remains, that natious will fight, and
it is enc Of TIE strapgeSt of mysteries that
they do SO for causes that are Sd utterly
foreign to their real interests.
If wisdom could cnce more guide the
policy of this country, while other nations
are fighting ont quarres in which We have
no concern, We might recover our lest
prosperity. ii only the party in power
would cease prosecuting our unoffending
people, and would administer the govern.
ment for the common benefit OF the Whole
natiou, hope would spring up again every
where. Capital would flow where it is so
much needed. The commercial marine Of
the United States would recover from it's
all-but mortal collapse, and would rnonopo-
lie the trade of the world. while American
agriculture and industry would feed, clothe
and supply the rest of the civilized wo rid
Then we might hope for real peace in this
land that needs it so much. Unfortunately,
Judging from present Indications, such
result is MOTTO be expected from the domi-
nant party OF the country. Er = 49,.
Mr.. G. W. King. of Raleigh, has in
vented an improved combination spring
and air gun .-sE