The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-01-03
THE NEW YEAR.

i ID ~ AONbOn 6-Ad ARSs
THE NEW YEAR.
AS we write 1876 is wrapping the drapery
of his couch around him and preparing TO
join the caravan of years and centuries that
have passed on before. It's record, when the
books are unsealed, will be interesting.
When 1876 is called to the witness stand the
inquiry is not likely TO be with
regard to the advancement in
trade and commerce, the price of
OF gold or the value Of bonanza stocks The
gods are not spectators on change or the
street. But what of the elevation of hu-
manity7 What of the area OF liberty?
What of the expansion OF soul? What
of men, who during the year 1915,
have sought to make the world better-men
who have opened upnew avenues of thought
and invited the toiiing millions to higher and
nobler aspirations? In response what can
1876 reply? Stanley is blazing out path
ways through the terra iHoognitd of Africa.
Japan is opening her ports to the civilizing
and enlightening influence of commerce.
The Turks, holding fast to their animosi-
ties against Christ and Christianity,
propose to measure arms with Russia.
The islands Of the ocean are
coming under the sway of the Cross, and the
day is dawning when
"Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Doth his successive Journeys rum"
So far, all is we'll But is this all? The
cross-examination wrings from 1876 disclo-
sures anything but complimentary. 1t
leaves with a war cloud lowering over Eu-
rope. The time has not come for peace on
earth. Spears are not made into pruning
hooks nor swords into plowshears. Spain
brushes out independence OF thought,
France is republic only in name, Mexico
is in the throes Of another revolution, and
! the United States of America is in the grasp
Of a set of infamous cOnspirators, who in
the interest of fraud, are willing to light the
| fires of civil war. On the whole, We
conclude that 1876 will not be able
to make very impressive showing. As yet
the devil is too omnipotent in the affairs Of
this world. 1876 goes out under a cloud.
The new year, unfortunately, inherits a
good many difficult problems. 1877 is not
to have fair wind and tide. II we are to
pay any heed to the signs of the times, there
will be wars and rumorS of wars. If
humanity advances it will be over
rough roads. II men reach higher attitudes
of independence, it will be owing to strong
wills and strong arms. Liberty springs
spontaneously from no soil. 1t is an exotic
in all climes. Power never relaxes it's grasp.
IL men resolve TO ne free, they assume re-
sponsibilities of the greatest gravity.
During the year 1877 they will
be compelled to solve the problem,
They may cover and be slaves, they may
assert their birthright and be free. They
may quail before conspirators and quietly
receive their letters, or they may stand by
their rights, and though exiled to flames
eternal camping ground they may scatter
seed that shall bring forth fruit an hundred
fold in the interest of liberty
IL we read Alright the outlook, 1877
will be big with events As certain as the
days dawn there will be demand for pluck
in this country as well as elsewhere. II
humanity makes any advancement over
kings and those who claim to rule by divine
right il will be because the people
assert their rights and maintain them
without regard to consequences or sacrifices.
The years are nothing except as they afford
opportunities for the assertion of the rights
of man. If men are to be held in eternal
servitude to kings and aristocrats, the
sooner the heavens are rolled to-
gether as a scroll and mundane az
airs receive their quietus the better
But we do not care to indulge in doubts as
10 results. We prefer to believe thai the
world of humanity is advancing, rising; that
truth is asserting her God-given prerogative,
and will eventually triumph. We prefer to
believe that during the year 1877,
whose first pulsebeats we now hear,
will within the twelve months of its
existence record the truths that the world
has been much better; that men have gained
higher elevation of thought and purpose;
that the area OF freedom has widened; that
liberty is more firmly established, and that
God reigns and influences the councils of
men. Nothing doubling and full of trust,
the Sentinel greets its readers, patrons aud
friends and wishes them happy new year.