The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1883-01-04
The Y ear 1882.

rs on the threshold of the New Year
We look back upon the year just gone, the
first impression is that its record contains
little that is startling or noteworthy. This
certainly would he the result of super
fetal view generally prosperous but
not q remarkable Iear-a year that on the
whole has served us we'll, individually
and as nation. \ close inspection will,
however, reveal much Of interest 50
much that the newspaper historian,
whose duty it is to briefly chronicle
the departed year. finds the details
crowding his crcumscribed limits.
As the years 90 it was eminently a
peaceful year. Although the West kept
up its average Of cyclones and tornad0es
and the Mississippi and its tributaries
last spring overlooked the adjacent coun-
try, the elements have been less unruIv
than usual. Egypt occupies the larger
portion of the war record, and the hostil-
tiles in that country were more renalka-
Die for the expenditure of powder and the
expense attending it than for the loss of
life or for brilliant geneTalship. England,
however, has reason to be satisfied with
d result which gives her virtual control
of Egypt and protects her interests in
the Suez canal The war between Chill
and Peru ended with the complete suhju-
cation of the latter country. The trou-
bles in Ireland continue, and apparently
are to be continued indefinitely The
assassination of Lord Cavendish and Mr..
Burke in Phoenix Park, Dublin, was the
most atrOcious OF the many crimes which
have stained this fair isle with blood and
now a distress verging on famine darkens
some sections. Accidents on sea and land
have been less frequent and disastrous
than in preceding years. The fate of the
Jeanette Arctic exploring expedition
was learned and caused a world wide
sorrow. Neither famine nor pestilence
have made themselves seriously felt in
any section, and abundant harvests have
been the rule, and not the exception.
In the political elections Maine led off
with Republican victory, which has re-
deemed the State from Fusion misrule.
Succeeding elections in other States were,
however, generally disastrous to the Re-
publican party; but these reverses are
regarded as merely temporary, though
much depends upon the attitude of the
two great parties in the months which
precede the next Presidential election.
The National Capitol has naturally been
the scene of important events When the
year began Guitcau was Oh trial He was
convicted and sentenced Feb. 4th, and
subsequently eX, cuted. A protracted
trial OF the star route conspirators ended
in disagreement of the jury and new
trial is now in progress. Congress sat
until August 9Th, the session having
been protracted 10y Democratic fillibus-
terlng. Among the more important mea-
sures which became laws were the Nor
mon bill of Senator Edmunds, the bill to
extend the charters of the national banks,
the Geneva Award bill, and the PROPOSE
ton to refund the extended 81 per cents.
in 3 per cent. bonds The House passed
a bill abolishing certain features Of the
internal revenue and reducing taxation
on other articles 1t failed in the Senate
by the dilatory tactics of the Democrats
to prevent its passage with amendments
reducing the duties on sugar and iron.
The Senate passed bill defining the