The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-12-31
COLUMBIA, IS. &.
Wednes lay Morning, December 81. rs.
Close or tho Yoer.

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stances where the harassing cares Of
life come constantly thronging about us.
driving away thoughts OF ease. banish-
ing comfort. and disturbing those medi-
tative moods in which the heart seeks
to commune with itself. and to turn i'm.
ploringiy to the great source Of soiace
and huppiness. But trying as are the con-
ditions Of both our public and private
life. it is eminently fit, upon proper oc-
casions. that we take reckoning to see
where We are, what progress we are
making, and whittier we are tending.
The sun which has dawnel upon our
planet, to-day, is the last which will
shine during the year 1873. 1t hns risen
In sp!enaor, its light streams in majestic
brightness, but darkness will soon fol-
low, and as the departing luminary
passes into shadows and gloom. the
year itself will expire and bs no moro.
The cit6lipg wheels of time have made
another. grand revelation, and as they
come round to the starting point ngain,
We gaze with something like awe ms the
year fades away and goes 70 join the
past eternity. Z tIte
Day BY day. throughout this year, We
have spread before the public chroni-
Gle OF passing events, bringing into the
focus OF our columns reports from all,
parts OF the civilized world. Those who
have read with attention have been ena-
bled 10 Judge Of tho life Of humanity,
as here collected and presented. A year
OF great mortality it has been-an un-
usual number falling by the wayside,
and amongst them some eminent in
science, literature, craftsmanship and
position. It has been year of terrible
disaster on the rail, and in steam and
other vessels plying their course at sea.
Innumerable collisions Of great moving
trains and of ships haye wrought
srightful loss, Of life. Disease has gone
forth in its protean and 10 ost destructive
forms. and moved down its hundreds OF
thousands Of victims. PestiIenoe and
famine have followed and been busy
reaping and gathering the human har-
vest. Amongst the most memorable and
most trying incidents OF the last third
of the 5ear which is now closing, was
the financial pa.ic. which epread want,
dread and uncertainty everywhere over
the land. It yet covers it like pail of
death. In the face of it's thick gloom,
strong men have trembled and been
bowed down with depression and do
spair. Amidst these rebukes of Provi.
dence, mon have gone on in their rest
less rounds OF aotivity-some needing
the lesson, perhaps. but the most too
soon forgatting. after each successive
calamity. that God rules and speaks in
providence, as we'll as by His word and
Spirit. + i.
Narrowing our retrospect to our own
State aud community, we find that We
have been comparatively exempt from
the casualties and sicknssses whioh have
prevailed In other parts of the country,
and not subjected in an equal degree to
their tiuanoIal arrangements. We have
bad peace within our borders, if not
entire prosperity within our palaces.
We have enjoyed the blessings which an
unrjvAied climate, productive fielda,
tolerable industry, aud contentcd
Spirir usually bring in their train. But
We have troubles Notwithstanding, and
they so TO the very core Of our exist.
encs. Unless the causes which pro
,iuce tsiam oan hs removed, or held in
eifsctual check. they threaten to over
wbelm ns and to blight The substance
aud bloom of our civilization itself.
They como from M infamoue political
condition, whose essence may be stated
to he the banishment from public coun-
ellis and from all positions of admins
tration. OF personal integrity, honor,
intelligence. experience and devotion to
the public good. Not only are these
qualities and accomplishments driven
into banishment, bat they are replaced
BY chicanery, duplioity. trickery. selfish