The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-12-30
TNE ES3OCRAf
MowAuS, i Nee, 80
VAl'N M'&W WAN,
1873.
1873.

This /. a utiIinrian age. The
stride. in improvement, in the arts and
sciences. III christian civilization aud
the general amelioration Of the human
race, arc subjects for universal con.
graduation. The author Of that pro-
Ircvsiys philosophy which has iouC
NO much for mankind Notwithstanding
his mlny f,ul,s and deIcuquilcies) dc.
serves 10 have his mans written in
letters of GOLD, aud hung in the
,dnctaDt Of every friend Of liberty, re.
ligion, ar. and science, The Baconian
philosophy las done for man iu the
religious, political mud scientific world,
what the Almighty did i'll the creation
IL speaking darkness into light, The
period from lI7G to 1876 is likely to
DO one Of tue most fruitful and event.
full in our history; and indeed through.
out the world. That long night Of
despotism which the hand Of the ty.
ran, and tho sword Of the cOnquerOr
forced upon the apostles Of christian
liberty aud free liberation, has been
cut loose, and man allowed to ac. and
think for himself, aud to worship his
dodin all christian countries, accord.
Ing to his own faith, Free thought,
free discussion, aud free press, have
enlightened aud roscneralel the world,
The far Of Russian monarch, sur.
rounded BY bis able corps Of ministers.
backed up BY laWsof his own volitiOn,
and sOldicry ever ready to enforce
them, was unable 10 resist the progrCs.
siye wave. Freedom has been given
to tho scrf as well as the America.
African slave, In al christian cOun.
tries the ameliora,iou of the human
family is bet,ered, aud light begins to
break on all lands. Tho inducsiye
philosophy is ever progressive aud
fruitful. By il ''lifc has been length.
onod-pain mitigatCd, diseases cxtin.
guishCd. The fertility Of tho soil in
creased. New securities given to tho
mariner and new arms to the warrior,
Ithas spunncl great rivers ana cstu.
aries with bridges Of power unknown to
our fatllers-guiled tho lhunderbolt
innocuously from Heaven to earth
lighted up the night with tho splcndOr
ofthc day-cztCnded tllc range Of the
human vision-mulsipliod the power
Of tho human musclC-accclcrate mo.
tiOn-anniliilated distance facilitated
intercourse, correspondence, oil friend.
~ Offices and all dispatch Of business,
lt.has enabled man to descend 10 the
depths Of the sea, TO soar into tho air,
to penetrate secarelyin,, tho noxious
rcccsses Of the earth, 10 traverse the
land on cars without horses, aud the
ocean in slips which sail against the
wind. All these and the ten thousand
mud one other improvements which
have added to the happiness aud CON.
fort Of man, arc tho legitimate fruits
Of correct teachings. The period With.
10 the centennial anniversary Of our
Nations birth, has been fruitful thus
far Of momCu,ous events. Great rev.
Citations, both in tho Old and New
World, have token place 10 the one
crowned heads have been overthrow
their dominions taken from them
and parecllCl out; new thrones erected
upon their ruins, aud new rulers seated
on them. In the other. tho greatest
civil war Of all times, between the most
heroic soldiers aud skilful commanders.
has been fought; aud tho Indian, the
original proprietor Of tho American
continent, forcibly driven from the
shores Of the Atlantic to tho shores Of
the Pacific Blu. it all these terrible
and sickning scenes Of war, discord and
violence which have, with their curse
and blight. visited both hcmirphcrcs, II
is to-day in The beginning Of tue year
Of gu: lord Christ, one thousand eight
hundred aud rCventy.three, superla.
lively gratifying 10 US. TO be able to
announce to our readers and patrons
that superstition aud infdelity where.
ever found, in all christian lands, are
fleeing before tho Bible ind the Gross
that peace with all nations rcigns
supreme, and liberty, light and kuowl.
edge arc moving tho world. In our
exultation, we must not, however, be
unuiindful Of the raYagss of time, aud
the uncertainty of life. The year
1872, with its joys and sorrOws-its
lnses and rains-its disasters and
fruits, and its struggles aud vicis.i.
tudes, like The many that have preceded
It. has passsd in history. Thousands
in tho beginning Of the year 1872,
full Of life aud health and hope and
aspiration. arc seen no more. The
beginning Of the year 1873 has been
vOuchssfGd to US. For it, let all be
thankful to tho Creator, and loaru from
Ills sacred teachings to so conduct
ourselves as to make life happy, old
age peaceful 80 that death and The grave
shall claim no victory over righteous.
AcsI.