Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-01-12
1861 and 1871.

Ammo Domini 1871 has just closed It's record
With II closes one Of the most remarkable de-
cadss known TO human history. Since the
dawn Of Ammo Domiui 1881, what merieles Of
change and revolution has this o.d world VI ours
experienced THIS single decade has witness
ed wonders in human events that even prophecy
could not have anticipated. In 1861, Abraham
Lincoln took his seat as President Of the United
States, amid dangers aud alarms that culmina-
ted in the fiercest and boodiest Of all civil wars
Within the decade that great war has been
fought, the great victory won. American slav-
cry, then rampant aud defiant, has been abolish
ed, and four millions Of slaves emancipated aud
made men. Within that time, 1ur Government,
rent by rebellion, has been reconstructed on the
basis Of freedom, aud the whole confederation Of
States are once m1re repres inted in Congress.
In Europe the decada has been as prolific in
memorable events as in America. The uprising
OF Germany from cnngeries Ot principalites
contending States into an Empire OF gigantic
proportions, is one Of the grandest events OF the
| century. The same ten years have witnessed
| the overthrow of the DOnaparte dynasty and the
downfall Of the French Empire and the capture
of its Capital by Prussian arms. In one single
| month of that struggle, that ahook all Europe,
France lost nine hundred and fifty Thousand men.
| The treaty Of peace that ensued changed the po-
litical aspects and cenlers Of power over the -
! tiuent Of Europe.
| In It,ly the same decade has also wrought its
wonders Of change. The Pope, as n icmpnral
! sovereign has been dethronod; and the seveii-
| hilled city, Rome the "eternal," Is again the
| site OF royal power, and the ancient palaces oi
her Casnrs are once more the residence II an
| Italian monarch. The old house Of Savo
dating tn origin from the time Of the conquesls
| OF Charemagnc, under Victor Emmanuel is now
ruling in Rome over the " Kingdom of Italy"
awaa ,aal
| Prince Eugene once saved from annhilation
are now seated on the tArones Of b ll'ortugal aud
Spain. So that now the House Of Savoy wields
the scepters OF three Of the oldest kingdoms O
| Europe, whose territory embraces almost all thI
northern cost Of the Mediterranean, stretching
from the Atlantic ocean to the Isles of Greace.
In the Orient, passive aud inert through SC
many ages, this decade has also witnessed
changes and movements Of the most MON ,nioui
import. For the fret time in her long history
China has sent an embassy from her exclusive
court IN the nations of Christendum. Japan
too, within the same ten years, has fought hei
battles OF revolution against feudalism, estab
lished a Constitutional Monarchy, cunv, ne6 9
Parliament, and for the first time opened heI
doors t. foreigners, aud instituted missions o.
peaceful diplomacy.
Within the same decade telegra phc commun
cation has been established across oceans, link
ing together the four great continents of th'
globe in almost instantaneous connection.
American enterprise has also within that tint
made the Pacific Ocean a th0rOugh'are fo
steamships, thus bringing the continents Of ASH
and America within regular aud close CONNER
cial relations.
Within the same periud that grandcst monu
ment Of human genius and enterprise, the Paci
fc Railway, has been constructed; connecting
the ocean that wash the shores Of cur continin:
aud binding the Atlantic and Pacific States o
oar Union in harmony together.
The sans decade has also witnessed the com
pletetlon of the Sucz Canal across the deserts .
Africa, connecting the Red Sea with the water
OF the Mediterranean, thus uniting the waters u
three continents. the great historic river of Afri
ca, whose mystic fountains this decade has ais
revealed, with the seas Of Asia and Of Europe
making one common channel through whicl
ships are bearing the commerce Of one-half III
world to the other.
Such are some Of the wonderful events Of thi
most wonderful decade-lS6I to 1871.