Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-01
FaourrlaI allo Courier.
Saturday Morning, Jan. 1, 1881.
IS&O.

The year 1880 has not been specially eyentful year, though of course much of inn portance has taken place in it. z-
 Looking abroad in the first place, the two most important occurrences in the British Isles are the liberal victory at the spring elee- tion and the violent outbreak of the land agi- tation in Ireland. After six years of oppo-. sition MT. Gladstone and his party returned to power with very encouraging indications of popular approval of their policy. The new government has in the pressing Irish problem difficulty which calls for the exer else of the utmost tact and energy in dealing with it. The land question also shows signs of becoming troublesome in England, and the year closes upon gloomy prospect, so far as this matter is concerned. The English soldiers have fought and been victorious in Afghanistan and South Africa, and they are at it again in the latter region. ~
 In France there has been no revolution. The expulsion of the Jesuits and other relig- ieus societies has been the chief event of the year.
 In Germany the army has been enlarged, the anti-Socialist law renewed. and Bismarck
 
 eral Council did not do as he wished. He has announced his intention of bringing be- fore the Prussian Parliament some positive measure for allaying popular discomfort, and 1t is about time for such action to be taken. One of the most recent phases of public life in Germany has been disgraceful agitation against the Jews.
 In the other countries of western and cen tral Europe no event of startling importance has occurred. Spain has been quiet. In Italy there have been ministerial changes without great significance. Neither in Ger many nor in Austria has anything occurred to make the year memorable, and the same remark may be made as to the history of all the smaller powers, Portugal, Belgium, Hol- land, Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries.
 In Russia there has been plenty of trouble, though during the latter part of the year there have been signs of the dawning of a better day. In February an attempt to kill the Czar by an explosion under the Imperial dining room happily failed After this Loris Melikof was given power and he seems to have done well for Russia At any rate we hear much less about Nihilism and the Nihil- ists.
 Turkey has made some trouble, as usual, but on October 8, when the Sultan received private intelligence that fleet was to be sent to the Levant to sequester the revenues of Smyrna, he agreed to surrender Dulcigno.
 In South America military operations be- tween Peru and Chili still continue, notwith- standing the exhaustion of the former State and the earnest efforts of the United States to mediate between them. The Chilian army is now, advancing on Lima In Brazil the anti-slavery agitation has been renewed with great vigor.
 The principal event in Ct4nada has been the making of a contract wSth American Canadian, French and English tinanciers for the completion of the Transcontgnentai rail way from Lake Nipissing to the Pasflto. The company will receive subsidy of eSz" ''''''- OC0 and 25, 900, GOO acres of land, and are ex- pscted to complete the road before May l, 1891.
 In our own country there has been Pres- ldential election, resulting in great Repub- ican victory. The good crops, active trade at paying prices, full employment of labor, rapid development of resources, and general prosperity make the year one long to be pleasantly remembered
 Among the famous persons who have died during the year are the Empress of Russia J ules Favre, Chief Justice Cockburn of Eng land, Chief Justice Church of this country, Governor Williams of Indiana, ex-Senator l.. F. S. Foster of this State, General Myer, the organizer and chief of the United States signal service, Bishop Gilbert Haven, Dr. Chapin, Professor Benjamin Pierce, Mrs Lydia Maria Child, George Eliot, Wieniawski, Ole Bull and Offenbach, Adelaide Nelson and Tom Taylor.
 Disease, famine, fire and other things that attack man and his property have been busy during the year, as usual, but we refrain from inficting account of their work upon our readers, every one of whom we wish a Happy New Year.