Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-12-29
Railp genntbff 5Ournal.
Augusta. Friday Morning, Dec. 90.
1852.

0AlGOAAhHS1sy AsAAs'6
world has wagged on steadily, with few
great calamities, either in the heavens
above, or on or under the earth. OF earth
auakes there have been none of any Sc
verify; our New Hampshire neighbors
being of those who had slight visitation
of that kind. The transit of Venus was
the most important celestial phenomenon
of the year. how important yet remains to
be told after the astronomers who OBJ
served it have compared notes. There
has been pretty good average of cyclones
and tornadoes, the country west of the
Mississippi having suffered in property
and lives by them quite largely. In this
section Of the country, however, there was
almost uninterrupted fair weather from
the middle OF July till about the first of
December, rendering it one of the most
agreeable seasons on record. The overflow
of the Mississippi and its tributaries IN the
spring caused much damage and suffering.
partially compensated for, however, by
the fertilization of the lands inundated
and better crops. The electric storm a
few weeks ago was one Of the most re-
markable occurrences Of its kind known.
From wars, disastrous accidents bv sea
and land. and pestilence, the world has
not severely suffered. and has no reason
to complain in these respects of 1882.
The Egyptian war makes the greatest
figure on the page of the year, and that
resulted in but slight loss of life. while
the material loss is nearly all included in
the destruction caused by the lombard
ment and capture of Alexandria. The
war began in July and ended in September.
sending Arab Pacha and some OF his
associates into exile at Ceylon, and tight
ening the grip Of England upon Egypt and
the Suez Canal. The war between Chill
and Peru continued until Peru has been
completely despoied and subjugated to all
appea ance, the efforts Of this government
at an equitable settlement of difficulties
having been rendered abortive by the course
pursued by Secretary Frelinghuysen. An
outbreak in Corea, slight difficulties in
Africa in which the French were chiefly
interested. and the Herzegovinan troub-
les are about the whole Of the remainder
of warlike affairs for the year. The Irish
difficulties have continued through the
year and have not yet ended. The agra
rian outrages have been bold and numer-
Gus. The murder of Lord Cavendsh and
Mr.. Burke was a peculiarly bold and
atrocious crime, the perpetrators of which
have not yet been brought to justice.
Among other bloody outrages must be
mentioned the prosecutions inflicted upon
the Jews in Russia and Hungary; single
act of which was the compelling of 600
families to flee from Presburg in Hun
gary. OF disasters by sea there seems
not to have been as many as usual, and
more OF those near the European than the
American coast The loss of the steamer
Rodgers, burned and sunk, while search
ing for the jeanette exploring party is to
be noted. The destruction of 400 houses
in Smyrna by fire was the greatest con-
fagration of the year. The greatest rail-
road disaster was the killing of l7S persons
on a train in Russia. From pestilence
the world has not suffered severely. The
cholera has occasionally been heard from
but not with such ravages as have in other
wears marked its course.
Politically the waters have been some
what troubled the last year. President
Arthur instead of the lamented Garfield
controls the destinies Of our nation as far
a. a president can. Congress sat in
the chambers of legislation until Au.
gust sth. not specially to any goodpurpose.
The passage of the river and harbor bill
over the Presidents veto, steps towards
the suppression Of polygamy. and the ap-
pointment of the tariff commission, with
the investigation into diplomatic affairs in
connection with Chill and Peru were
among the notable proceedings of Con-
gress. The elections in Vermont and
Maine in September went in favor of the
republicans, but the elections in October
and November resulted in general de-
feat of the republicans, and in giving to
the democrats Smajority in the next ma
tional House of Representatives. The
treasury is prosperous. our resources are
abundant, and the reduction of taxation
caused by the war is one of the pleasing
duties of the time. In European countries
NO very striking political event has oc-
CURED unless 1t be the postponement of the
coronation of the Gar Of Russia. Queen
Victoria has again been the mark for an
assassin but fortunately received no injury.
Gladstone resigned his polition as prime
minister after fifty years of public life,
and Lord Derby succeeds him. John
Bright had previously resigned his posi-
ton in the cabinet on account Of dissatis-
faction about the Egyptian war. The
French ministry resigeed in July and .
new one has been chosen. Spain also
has met with some changes in her cabi-
nat Tho trouhla hafuaou Groaea and