Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1872-01-04

1s7l.-1n very many respects tie year
1871 will be recorded as one of the most
remarkable in our history. II is not ne.
cessary TO rehearse in detail the many ex-
traordinary events which have occurred
during the past twelvemon,hs. The in
telligent reader VIII readily recall them
rs well rs the lessons they have taught.
SO far as We, as nation, are concerned
there is room, for abundant thankfulness.
even though, in some respects. it be like the
grateful expression OF the honest Tcuton
who fell from the masthead and broke his
leg. Being sympathized with by some
friends. he rhilosophically remarked
THANK God, it was not my neck" While
the administration has been guilty of much
that ia rcrrchensiblc and damaging to the
best interest of the country. we have rca-
son to be grateful that is has not done
worse. which would certainly have been
the case had it not been for the steady op-
position Of the Conservative Democracy
and the widespread disafrtction amougs,
the Republican leaders.
Entering upon the New Year. let MS in
dulgc tie hope that the Administration will
retrieve its errors, and seek, BY wise and
judicious measures. to repair some of the
evils occnsioned by its reckless, and in
many cases criminal, Encouragement of
aatio-al affairs. Congress has mountain
Of work before it. which only earnest and
unselfsh effort can possibly remove. If the
Administration majority persist, as it has
done. in piling up taxation, overriding
civil by military rule, trampling upon the
rights Of States, DISTINGUISHING those who
long since should have been restored to
the rights Of citizenship. nursing such cor
rupt jobs as San Domingo. and screening
the scoundrels who have been boldly plum
dcring tho treasury. popular Indignation,
already enkindlcd. will burn with fcrcer
glow. and the campaign of 1872 may pos
sibly prove to General Grant and his
friends that ''thcre's many slip 'twi1. cup
aud lip"
So far as the crops have been concern.
ed. We have great cause for thankfulness
From almost every section of the country
come M to us reports Of bourtiful hsrvcsts.
We have been blcs, in this particular above
ard beyond most nations Of the earth, and
should feel correspondingly grateful.
AS nation. too. VIC have escaped to a
very great extent the visi. of the pestilence
True, an epidemic has prevailed to con-
siderable extent in large cities aud in ada
cent towns and territories, but its ravases
hare been small compared with those
plaques which have devastated other lands.
So far As municipal reform is concerned
there is wide room for congratula,iou. In
New York, Philadelphia. st. Louis. Chi.
eago, Louisville, Pi,,sburg. Boston, and
other large cities. the people have taken
bold and determined stand in opposition
to the corruption which has prevailed. and
with the most gratifying success.
Taken as whole, We have cause for
general thankfalness. Let a grateful spir-
" pervadc the hearts Of all. lie. us all
enter upon the new year with the deter
mined resolve to live better lives: to re.
pair. as far as in our power lies. the errors
OF the past; to ferret out rascali,y in pub
lie matters. to bring its authors to meri-
ted punishment and to vie with each 9th.
or in endcavoring to promote the general
good.