The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-12-29

and the wheels Of government for the time
were well nigh stopped. And yet in the face
of these obstacles this Nation has pressed for
ward with giant strides, outstripping all COM
petitors, and even its own best efforts hither-
to. Never has there been period Of great
er material prosperity than that which marks
the history of the past year. The onward
march has exceeded all prediction, much less
precedent, and to-day the Republic stands
without peer in the great muster roll of Ma
tions. With extensive Improvements and low
taxes, she has been enabled to pay $14S, 000, 900
of her debt and reduce the interest charge ST.
1877 900 per annum. Her bonds, which but
little while ago required an interest OF six per
cent. to negotiate them, are now eagerly sought
after at little more than half that rate, and
even further reductions will ere long be made:
The vast enterprise of individuals has kept
pace with the Nations progress, and COM
MERGE has spread her sails and extended her
iron arms until the four quarters of the earth
are made to pay tribute to Columbia. Nearly
ten thousand miles of railroad have been COM
pleted in the United States since January last.
and $4,000 immigrants bringing $40, 100000
have come to make their homes among us, and
help build up our waste places.
But let us look more closely at the record of
the year. Its advent was ushered in with
every sign of peace and promise. In this
country, it saw the chosen ruler Of so, 900
Of people quietly awaiting the hour when the
constitution babe his predecessor step aside
into the walks of private life and committed
the destinies OF the Republic to his guidance.
There was no one to dispute his claim. The
contest that had been waged in his behalf was
bitter to the very end, but when the end came,
and his triumph was complete, no voice was
raised to question his right to rule the whole
nation-those who had opposed as well as
those who had advocated the cause of which
he was the representative. This Republic
never witnessed an Inauguration grander in
| its details or brighter in its promise than
that of James A. Garfield, as President of the
United States, on the 4th of March, 1881
Hundreds of thousands assembled TO hear him
read his brief message, and they saw in it the
assurance of future filled with all that makes
people prosperous and happy.
| Shortly after that august event. the news
was flashed under the sea that the Gar OF
Russia had been fatally wounded by the ex-
| ploslon OF bomb thrown by Nihilist con-
spirators. A shuGder passed over the land
and fervently we thanked God that no such
l od rr1o n
then what few months would bring forth. I.
In April, the great star route prosecutions
began against Genl. Thos. Brady and a mum.
Der of contractors for conspiracy to defraud
the government, by causing additional and ex-
| travagant compensation to be paid tor expe-
diting the mail service. Hundreds of thous-
ands of dollars are said to have been fraudu-
lently taken from the treasury by the star
| reuters, and criminal and civil suits are now
being prosecuted against the chief conspira.
tors.
| Shortly after this, the memorable Senatorial
struggle took place, which ended in the great
| State of New York. the first in wealth and
population in the sisterhood of common
wealths, being left unrepresented in the high
est assemblage of the Nation. Messrs. Conk-
ling and Plat resigned as Senators, and after
q prolonged struggle in the New York Legis-
| lature, Messrs. Miller and Lapham were re-
| turned in their stead.
In the meantime came that terrible I'd OF
the other cry of horror was heard. The
great, noble hearted Garfield fell beneath the
bullet of a cowardly assassin. That scene is
toe fresh IN the memory of all to require that
we should dwell upon it. 1t burned into the
very hearts of men and found expression in
words of tenderest sympathy for the sorrow
stricken family, and bitter, bitter curses for
the wretched bastard who sent the bullet on
its murderous mission. How anxiously the
daily bulletins were watched for tidings of the
wounded statesman ! how eagerly the pulse
beats were counted with what joy we well
coined every sign of hope, as the brave, daunt-
less spirit struggled with the grim monster
All bitterness was swallowed up in the COM
mon sorrow, all partizanism was hushed.
Gradually the realization of impending death
stole on the people, and when the great heart
ceased Its pulsations, the Nation bowed its
head and wept. Then came President Arthur
to take the place of the martyred one, and
amid scenes most impressive, his touching in
augural was given to the public, to be follow
ed shortly by one of the ablest and most ex-
haustive State papers ever presented to our
assembled representatives
During that same month of September, in
which President Garfeld's eyes were closed
forever, a terrible disaster visited the western
portion of the Union. Eighteen hundred
square miles of the fair State of Michigan
were swept by fire, and the homes of nearly
ten thousand people were swallowed up in its
fury Hundreds of precious lives were lost,
and over two and quarter millions of dollars
worth of property melted into flame and
smoke. The cry for help went forth, and
nobly was it responded to. Over one million
dollars was sent to the sufferers, which together
with the insurance went far towards repairing
the monied loss. But ne pen can picture the
terror and the agony that followed in the wake
Of that bosom of destruction, and no srithme-
tic compute the value of the homes it ravished.
1t is pleasant to turn from this picture of
horror to the contemplation of the scenes at
tending the celebration of the Yorktown Cen
tennial, within the borders of our own State,
and to the successful exhibition now closing
at Atlanta. The one was commemorative of
the victory of war, the other of the triumph
of peace. Both are of such recent date that
we need only mention them.
With the closing month of the year. came
the tidings of great disaster in Austria. On
The night of December the 9Th the Ring thea
ire at Vienna vas burned and nearly one
thousand lives lost.
And still another fearful chronicle is added |
o the list. On Christmas day an explosion
occurred on the steamer West Point loading
It West Point. in this State, and the vessel
vas burned. Nineteen lives were lost.
As the year dies out the tragic death of
President Garfield is daily called to our at
ention In the trial of the wretched creature
whose guilty hand brought mourning, such as
be world never before was called upon to
Witness.