Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1873-01-04
Nashingtun Standard.
OLYMPIA. SATURDAY MORNING. JAN. l. 1878.
THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.


of the new. The record of the departed
year is remarkable in many respects.
To enumerate them all, would require
more space than we can spare. From
week to week We have published tele-
graphic synopsis of what was transpir-
ing in various quarters of the globe,
and on looking through our columns,
we are surprised at the multitude of
important events. The past has been
year of storms, fires, pcstilence. Great
ships have been wrecked on the ocean;
fires have swept away the homes of tens
of thousands of the poor in cid orien-
tai cities and the fair business center
of one of the most venerable in our
own land; Pestilcnce has stalked with
awful tread over Persia and the ad-
joining Kingdoms, and "Thc angel of
Death spreads his wings on the blast"
and threatens Eastern Europe with an
other visitation of the cholera. Death
has made fearful havoc in the ranks of
great men of the world. Eminent
writers, publishers, pastors, statesmen
and soldiers have gone down to the
grave.
In the United States, emitting many
of note, we need but mention james
Gordon Bennett, Horace Greeley, VIM.
II. Seward and General George w.
Meade, two great journalists, the most
eminent Statesman of America, and the
soldier who led our conquering hosts at
Gettysburg. Bennet's name and fame
were linked with the Herald, and at no
time has that great newspaper been so
widely known and honored as since the
news was flashed from afar that it's agent
Stanley had succeeded where the whole
power of the English Government failed,
and the greatest of modern explorers
had been discovered and relieved in the
wilds of Africa, by the enterprise of an
American journalist. Horace Greeley
a man by himself, of humble origin,
and with few early opportunities, he
sought through all his laborious life, to
shield the oppressed, to call back the
erring, to broaden and diversity the
field of American labor, and over the
sins, SORROWS and follies of mankind, to
spread the mantle of "charity that
never faileth." Secretary Seward, an
eminent jurist, profound scholar, as
tute statesman, will be better known,
appreciated, and honored, when time
shall have softened down the asperities
engendered by the fierce conflicts in
which he bore so important part, and
his character stands statuesquely on
the firm pedestal of historic truth.
Gen. Meade has followed his honored
comrades, and with Scott, Thomas,
Rawlins, Farragut, and an innumerable
host, leaves behind him the imperish-
able record of patriot and soldier.
But all has not been dark and sorrow
full. In many respects the world has
made such rapid strides in all that con-
stitutes human prosperity as to make
this the golden year of the century.
Commerce has strengthened her bands
and enlarged her bounds. Useful in
ventions have multiplied apace. Vast
enterprises are in progress, destined
when completed to increase the pros
perity of the nation. There has been
no war in the land. The crops have
been abundant; manufacturers and
tradesmen have prospered; the mines
have yielded iron, coal and the precious
metals, with undiminished production,
and the people generally have increased
in wealth. We have had the usual
quadrennial fight, and General Grant
has been reelected President, and we
"bow to the majesty of the people"
Here the people have defeated Garfelde,
and we rejoice with them.
Looking to foreign fields, we see the
British colonists scratching their heads
in surly wonder at "the stupidity of
Emperor William" in giving US San
Juan, and we are happy. Going across
the briny deep, we find the " Japs" and
the heather Chinee" waking up to
the fact that the universal Yankee ma
ton is their nearest good neighbor and
so they want to see how they can trade
with us. and we are happy. Going
down the South American coast we
meet fleets of merchant ships bound
for Americo-Pacifc ports, and we are
happy. Steaming to Australia, and we
learn that the civilized folks of all that
great archipelago are learning the same
IQ9gOnS n q tho kon &hn