The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1877-01-18
THE DEPARTED YEAR.
4 Review Of what has been Accomplished
in the Pat II. Give MonEL..

A Review Of what has been Accomplished
in the Past Twelve Months.
Looking over the worlds work Tor the
wear 1876, one sees that there has been
general, though not marked. progress In
art, science, philosophy, civilization and
human liberty. Nowhere do we see any
serious reaction or any arrested develop
ment Of the ideas which we associate with
the best interests Of humanity. In
France. Tor example, the right ui self
government has repeatedly asserted it.
self with q decreasing opposition 10 the
republic As the year has waxed and
waned, the fundamental principles which
underhe popular government have
been strengthened. I'm Italy, e liberal
monarchy has been soGdifci. The re-
dictionary spirit which has been manifest
ed IN Spain has not materially DELAYED
political progress. And even this slight
drawback is amply cuuuterbalmcgd bv
the happy results which q return of
peace has brought % that long distract
ed country. Carism has ut last beaten
itself into pieces, and prctsuse which
WAS utterly hostile Ia the spirit Of the
age has come TO an end
Peace has generally prevailed through
out the world. in spite Of rumors and
divers threateuiugs Of war The r.
opening Of the Eastern question has ex-
cited the hyeliest apprehensious of
om-apprehensiuus which are
not vet quioted. Whatever may hr the
issue Of this new agitation. it seems
morally certain that the Christian sub
lects Of Turkey viii secure additional
freedom from oppression. and that the
general cause Of human liberty will be
strengthened Turkey has itself wit
messed the violent death Of one sultan.
the abdicatiou Of a second and the nomi-
nal surrender Of arbitrary powers bv
third During the wear, Islam in Eu-
rope has received its Eeyercst blow since
the century begun. The fighting on the
Serylan frontier has not disturbed the
general peace of the world. Mexico
and the Central American republics Lav.
been agitated bv their customary revolu-
tons, and the first named Of these coun-
tines IS still torn by coutending factions.
The war in Cuba has throbbcd on. but
with languor on both sides; and no grave
events have broken the mopoto-
nous reports Of disorder in the island.
\ few great casualties have occurred in
various parts Of the world, the most scri-
ous being on inundatiou in Italy. bv
which many thousands Of people lost
their lives. Distress by famine has also
been reported in the East. Hungary.
Southern France aud various parts OF
Europe have been devastated hy floods
To the great loss Of life and property.
No VERY 'arga disaster at sea has been re-
F".--l "g except the crushing Of the
Arctic wing fleet. which was accom-
panied 10y ara. so loss Of life.
In the g.. rr Of our own country the
most notable events have been our en-
trance upon a second century Of national
existence, and the holding Of the regular
Presidential election. The
great anniversary was fifty and entiusias-
ucally celebrated. The Exposition nj
Philadelphia j. conceded to have been
highly successful and one II the best Of
its kind. The year will long be mcmar-
able for this display, as well as for the
contributions to the national
art, literature, science. and industry of
which II was the ocrsiuu. The Prcsi-
dental election Of 1876 will become mem
orable, from the extraordinary crisis
which II brought upon the people. In
future years, this period will be recalled
rs one during which tine powers Of
popular government endured n severe
strain, and when the American people
awaited solution with calmness pa-
uence and order. Possibly IL will be
hereafter thought q remarkable coinci-
dence that the republic should, Mt the
beginning Of new century Of life. bc
compelled TO face q struggle which should
be a new test Of the peoples capacity for
Our friendly relations with foreign
governments have been unimpaireI. The
sudden interruption Of exchanges with
Great Britain under the extraditiOn
treaty was an unpleasant surprise. But
the manly course OF our own goEernrnent.
and the frank concessions Of that OF
Great Britain, have restored that cordial
understanding which las so long been a
natural bond between the two nations.
1t is certainly worthy Of remark that this
highly important diplomatic affair was
begun and ended within the year.
The return Of Tweed, by consent Of
the Spanish government, was another
event Of some significance Among the
painful occurrences which have disturb
ed our own people, the arraignment and
trial Of n cabinet minister for corrupt
practices stands first The final ex-
posures Of the great whisky conspiracy
and the trial of one Of the Presidents
confidential secretaries furnished another
unhappy public scandal OF the casual
ties which have passed into the record of
the year, the burning of the Brooklyn