The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1874-02-19
A Century Ago.

How odd this new year date appears ?
1t was Of course, ust so odd u century ago
and yet l.174 looks very odd and inditter-
cnt to lis. 1t was however, a rough wear
in American politics, and 4 wondrous era
was Just about to open upon the world.
How many men of subsequent note We're
then living in ObScurity? ? Tom Paine was
an humble eNciseman in England Wash
ington was chiefly known rs an opulent
planter and land surveyor; Nathaniel
Greene, who was TO be one Of his efficient
co-operators in the war Of independence.
was working at blacksmith forge in
Rhode Island; Alexander Hamilton was
studying law an ambitious youth OF severn
teen, while Aaron Burr had lust left col
lege, and was soiourning with ''Old Fa-
ther Bellamv." rs he was called. He was
then under the power of serious thought,
which lie soon cast away, and it never re-
turned Father Bellamy was 4 noted
diNi inc, whose name still lives in church
history. George Ill was a young man of
thirty three, and had even then been COM
PEELED to submit to the stern invective of
Junius and the bold republicansm of John
" NllkeS-preparationS for the more pain
full humiliation OF acknowledging the in
dependence Of his thirteen colonies. Wal
ter Scott was 4 lame, uncouth boy whose
head was soon to be filled with traditions
and border ballads Napoleon was one,
Of a thriving family in humble life, and
was, in five Years to enter the military
school at Brienne. An Irish lad then hard
ly in his breeches, was subsequently, the
famous Wellington. NV hat terrible men
these BOYS became = one inevitably eX-
claims. Noltaire and Ko~~eau were the
chief writer's in Europe, and the latter
was soon to be lifted by death almost
to L literary apotheosis. Gibbon, then in
his thlrty-seventh wear, was working ON
the first part of his "Decllks and Fail -"
and had become 4 member of the House
Of Commons. Hume was approaching his
end. In navigation. Captain Cook had
Just sailed round the globe, and his dead
body was soon to find 4 grave i'm the Sand
wich Islands, murdered much A. General
Candy was by Captain Jack. The 91e;r
republic Of the United States was then
merely a patriotic dream, cherished most
of all by John Adams and a few kindred
spirits The united population of Phila-
delpha. New York, Albany, Boston, New
port and Savannah was not more than TO-
tbH tlitl INC w Nttlltll VI Nlltllllttl lS ttIll1
to that of the entire colonies at that time
in which indeed there was not Il bank
The only American Of foreign note was
Ben namin Franklin. who had reached dis
tnction rs a man of science. He was then
living in London as agent Of the Colony
of Massachusetts, Bay. and continually
startling the Government by his adIoit
diplomacy. Whitfield, the greatest preach
er the world has seen since the apostolic
time, was just closing his glorious career
MContinental Europe, Frederick the Great
hadreccntly elevated Prussia from dutchv
to n kingdom while Louis the XVI was
about 10 ascend the throne from which he
was to be removed by the guillotine. Such
are some of the outlines Of the wear HI.
which, rs all know was the opening of d
wonderful era. The world has progressed
somewhat since then, but what further
developments may not be before Us ?