The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-01-08
rHE ~ YEAn.

A happy new year to all our patrons and
readers. We bid goodbye TO the old one
As we would to an old friend about to start
on his last journey, never to return. We
had no quarrel with the past year Fit treated
US very kindly-it gave Us food and cloth
ing for the inner and the outward man a
little pocket money, above necessary ex-
penses. 10 answer the inviting plate as it cir.
culated through the churches on Sunday
mornings, and to remsm5er few young
r. ends. whom We love. on Christmas, aHd
70 make cheerful acquaintance with
Thomas and Jeremiah during the pleasant
holidays. On the whole, VIC part with
the year 1873 with regret though it
is not fearful, and we have plenty of
heart left to welcome with smile his
successor and undisputed heir, the youth
ful and promising 1874. With the
new year come a great many things
new, some OF which get old altogether TOO
soon, but are very good Whilo they last.
New clothes and lew hats and new shoes
come along with new resolutions of reform
in our habits and manners, and all of them
are apt to wear out before VIC are able to
renew them The new year is always fruit
ful in noble resolutions, which do NO harm,
il they do not amount 70 much in the end.
Tho Old nan looks DSck At tho past year
and thinks over great many useless and
foolish expenses, and resolves TO be more
careful and moro economical the coming
year. The young man, who has lived too
fast for his health and pocket, resolves
TO Quit toddies, cocktails and juleps
and Be sober, orderly and industrious.
and save something to get married
upon before tho next Christmas or New
Year. The beautiful maiden ponders on
the loving hearts sho has worried and the
good offers she has rejected, and resolves
that she will act wiser in the future and ac-
cept the next worthy proposition. The old
bachelor, whose silvery locks and wrinkled
brow admonish him how little time is left
for earthly happiness, thinks over bis many
charming swcethearts in days gone by, how
fooiishly no has sinnsd away his tempting
opportunities, and resolves that it is not yet
quite too late for repentance, and that he
will not take the advice of Jobs worse half
and course God and die" What If all
these resolutions meyer amount to much
as is generally the case9 Still they
are good ones and have a wholesome ten
dency. 1t is well enough to make them
and better yet to stand ap to them, If we
can. It is said that there is certain place,
we never like to think of and never wisht to
90 to, paved all over with good intentions.
Somehow or other the devil manages to
get hold Of them to ornament his torid cap
ital. But they are good things neverthe-
less, and we ought not to let the evil spirit
lay his fiery hands on them, but cling to
them as the drowning man sticks to his
plank and thus reaches safe landing. So,
too, the sombre poet of the night alludesto
resolutions as amounting 70 nothing. Hear
him:
"At thirty. man suspects himself fool,
Knows It at forty, and reforms his plan,
AT afty chides his Infamous Delay,
At sixty finds himself resolving still,
With all the magnanimity Of thought,
Resolves and reresolves-then dies the same
But DR.. Young's muse was not cheerful
one and resolutions are sometimes kept and
ripen into glorious fruit. so leu us all on
this day resolve to make the coming year
better than the last, so far as We ourselves
arc concerned, and trust to heaven for the
rest. The new year opens brightly and
meets us with smiling face. Peace and
plenty reign over Texas and its people
should be thankful, contented and happy
Good bye. the old year. God bless the new