Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-12-31
8aiIp Xtnnfbtf 5OurIrzl.
The Old Year.

Is made. 1t goes to join the long pro-
cession Of years which are numbered with
the past. When il was ushered in twelve
months ago there were prophecies of dire
evils that we're to attend it-tremendous
earthquakes, misunderstanding pestilences.
fierce wars. famines, and even the de-
struction of the world. We now know
how foolish we're these predictions, and
how ignorant were those presumptuous
persons, who pretended to lift the veil of
futurity and unfold the history Of coming
events.
Take it all in all the year past has been
one Of no very startling events in the nat
ural world. There have been earth
quakes, but none that have very much
disturbed the solid crust Of the earth.
That at Chios was the most severe. but it
was confined to small island. The de-
struction of life however was large. In this
country tornadoes prevailed more than
usual, and with somewhat destructive
results, vet the localities which suffered
were small in extent and but few lives
were lost. Two comets came and went
without leaving even the smell of a gen.
eral confagration upon the earth or sign
of one in the heavens. The meteorologi-
cal phenomena were quite peculiar. The
summer weather was as tickle a. tickle
could be. or as Chicago weather general
" il. Floods came and overAowed
the banks of our western rivers, turning
men and cattle adrift where water had
never been known to come in any such
measure. This dcluge damaged the grain
crop to some extent. Then came drouth,
and between drowning and parching the
growing corn and wheat suffered consid-
erably and the yield was below expecta-
ton though sufficient to supply the world
abundantly and cheaply but for the cum
ming manipulations Of spectators. Is
there no way of discriminating these pests
of societyp1
The ocean during the latter part Of the
year has swallowed many noble vessels
with precious lives and rich cargoes
Tales Of shipwreck have been frequent in
the columns of the newspapers. Many
voyagers have sailed from port never to
return. One Of the fortunate events Of the
year In marine matters, is the discovery
Of the fate of the Arctic steamer Jeanette
I'D t1a oc 81
officers. It is also gratifying to know that
American merchant vessels have found
better business in the foreign carrying
trade the past year than for many years
previous. May it be the turning of the
tide which will bear our people on to that
power and mastery on the ocean to which
their position among nations and their
wealth and products entitle them.
The political events of greatest impor-
lance to the American people during the
year 1881, were the accession of General
Garfield to the Presidency, the Inaugural
ton Of his administration, the Conkling
contest in New York. and the assassina-
ton Of President Garfield. The last was
one Of the saddest strokes the nation has
ever suffered. Lincoln fell near the close
Of a civil war. when such an event might
be not unlocked for; but Garfield's death
was As though n bolt from clear sky
had struck him down. The assassin
Is on trial, and his doom is sealed. Again
the man elected Vice President by the
people has become President. High ex-
pectations were raised from the admins
tration of President Garfield. but the bull
let of the assassin ended these. and now we
turn to President Arthur. indulging in
hopes that he may administer his high
trust with wisdom and success. The
assassination of the Gar OF Russia was
an astounding event. The persistence
and boldness with which his successor is
followed by plots for his assassination. is
scarcely less amazing than the murder of
his predecessor. The letter of Mr. Blaine
in regard to the modification or abroga-
ton of the Clayton and Bulwer treaty
and his strong assertion of the Monroe
doctrine in regard to canal across the
Isthmus Of Panama. has created lively
commotion in England. What effect Mr..
Blaine's retirement from the office Of Sec
rotary of State may have cannot yet be
told. bat we hope that Secretary Freling-
huysen will take no steps backward. The
muddle into which the rash action of our
ministers al Chilli and precipi,ated us
will doubtless soon be cleared away.
The year has not been marked by any
great wars. The French have war in
northern Africa on their hands. The
Ameer Abdurrahan Khan has triumphed
in Afghanistan over his foes. and Peru is
PROSTATE at the feet.of Chilli. These are
the principal wars OF the year. We may
be thankful that these are all.
When we consider the black proguosti-
cations of what the year 1881 was to be.
We feel greatly gratified that the reality
has been so much better than the prophecy.