The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-01-18
THE YEAR 1874.
Lock Back at the Notable Events of the
Twelve Months,

Look Back at the Notable Events ofthe
Twelve Months.
Another twelyemonth has passed into
history. It hAs not been year crowded
with remarkable events. Great wars, or
political commissions, have not occurred
events that fix dates in our minds most
strangely.
The Ashantee war came TO IN end rs
the year began. The civil disorders in
Spain have lasted through the whole
twelve months, but nearly US much ink
has been shed in describing them Us there
has been blood spilled. War at one
time threatened between China and
Japan, with reference to the illall of
Formosa. The quarrel was peacefully
arranged. The Dutch war against the
Achinese still continues. There was
short rebellion in the Argentine Re
public. In the United States there we're
instructions both in Arkansas and
Louisiana, but they were easily quelled.
No part OF the world hns been seri-
ously affected by epidemic disease. In
deed, the year 1874 may take rank us
one Of the hcalthiest years Of which we
hhNe hiy reCoLu. tulnlnei however,
attacked British India and Asiatic Tur-
key. IT,
In India the evil was greatly lessened
by the prompt action Of government.
The supply Of food was kept in the
country, and distributed ut the important
points. There was not n little suffering,
and some deaths followed batwhen the
famine OF 1874 is compared with earlier
Indian famines, it seems but triaing
disaster. With the means now Of the
command of the civilized world, great
famine can now DO ouly tho result Of in
dolence and neglect. Turkey, being less
advanced than India, suffered more.
Disasters by sea and land have been
less numerous than usual. There have
been wrecks, railroad accidents, fires and
floods, but they have not been so terrible
in their effects rs in some former years.
While there Inns been such marked
absence Of the great destroyers OF life
and property, the crops OF tho world
have been prodigious. There are always
exceptions to general prosperity, and in
Kansas and Nebraska the farmers have
suffered from the grasshopper plague /;
but altogether tho earth has not yielded
80 abundantly rs in 1874 for very many
years. Farmers everywhere have more
produce than they can sell ut profit.
Abundant crops always bring COM
mercial prosperity, and we may con-
tldently expect TINT this years overflow
ing harvest will not prove MI exception.
Business throughout the world, and
especially in the United States, has been
depressed The effects of the panic Of
1873 are still felt Recovery from dis.
aster Of any kind is necessarily. slow,
and another year must probably pass be-
fore business can regain the prosperity
OF eighteen months ago. But the ex-
cellent harvest Of 1874, rs we have said,
will greatly contribute to the return Of
better days ..
Important political changes have
taken place during the year. In the
United States, the Republican party Inns
been badly defeated. In England, Par.
lament wis dissolved early in tho year.
The now House Of Commons is strongly
conservative, causing tile liberal govern
nent Of Mr.. Gladstone to resign, and
bringing in the tory government Of Mr..
Disraeli.
Two or three cabinet changes have
taken place in France, and that country
seems to be on tho eve Of other important
events Spain Inns passed under the die
tatorship OF Marshal Serrnno. Italy Inns
had Parliamentary election which re-
suited favorably for the government.
Germany, too, has elected n new Reich
stag, and has been excited over what is |
called the persecution Of Catholic bish-
ops and priests. AustriA and Russia |
have had neither internal nor external
disorder, and no startling events Of mo- |
ment, except what have been already
mentioned, have taken place in Asia,
Africa or South America.
The list Of the dead OF 1874 contains
some great Names That which comes
nearest home to the largest number Of
hearts is the death Of Charles Sumner.
France has inourncd over Guizot. Music
has lost the sweet voice and the charm
ing presence Of Madame Parepa Iosa.
In January we first heard Of tho death Of
Dr.. Livingstone, the great African ex-
ploror. kaulbach, the great German
painter; NJ. Van dc Meyer, one Of the
founders OF the Belgian monarchy; Herr
Won Mallinckyodt, n German political
leader Of great influence; Jules Atichelet,
famous author; Lunalilo, King Of the
Sandwich Islands; Shirley Brooks and
Tom Hood, two English humotists;
Chang and Eng, the Siamese twins; and
many others will be called to mind rs
having depnrted this life during the past