Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-12-25
The YEAR THAT IS PAST.

The events of the year 1884 have not
been OF very startling character.
No great war has been in progress, and
the important changes during the year
are few in number. They have, more
over, been peaceful changes The
years which we call memorable are
those distinguished by great military
Or political commissions. Judged by
this test, the year 1884 ranks us dull
and commonplace.
England, after much trouble with
Ireland, and after having had to crap
pie with the problem of Egypt, in
former years, has been chiefly occupied
with the great question of reforming
Parliament. The Cabinet was defeated
in its attempt to pass bill giving a
vote to vast numbers of British subjects
who have not been allowed share in
the Government.
A great agitation was then begun for
the purpose of forcing the House of
Lords, which had defeated that measure,
to yield A second session of Parlia-
ment was called to reconsider the mat
ter. and by a compromise between the
liberal and conservative parties, the
franchise bill has been passed, and in
the spring. it is fully expected, the
Government will also be able to pass
an act redistributing the seats in the
House of Commons, making what we
should call neJC dppOrtionnlent
In France some very important
changes in the Constitution of the Re-
public have been quietly and peacefully
effected The Government has carried
on a war with China to secure its con-
quests in Tonquin, and has had i'm
portant victories; but the war has not
yet closed.
Germany contributes to the grand
events of the year only n general Par
lamentary election, in which the
Socialists made larger gains than any
other Of the numerous parties of the
Empire. In Spain and Italy some
party changes have taken place, but
they are hardly worthy of mention.
Belgium has been in an agitation over
the result of its elections, which gave a
sweeping victory to the clerical party.
The chief interest in Egypt has been
centred upon General Gordon, shut up
in Khartoum, where he is believed to be
safe, and from which city the relieving
party, now on the way up the Nile,
will rescue him in due time. The final
conclusion of peace between Chill and
Peru is the only other event of the first
Importance in Africa, Asia, or South
America.
At home the great event of the year is
the Pres idential election, in which the
Democrats were successful in electing
Messrs. Cleveland and Hendricks
They had not been successful in presi-
dental election since 1856. On the 4th
of March next the whole Government,
except the Senate, will pass into their
hands.
But that is not the only event worth
mentioning. The decision of the
Supreme Court in reference to the right
OF Congress TO authorize an issue of
preenbacks; the rescue of the Greelv
party at Cape Sabine, by the Schley
expedition, the great contest over the
tariff, in Congress; the ratification of
the Mexican treaty; these are some of
the occurrences that have dcservcdly
attracted the public attention.
1t has been a good year for agricul-
ture. bad year tor business THIS is
of all the world In this country partic-
uarly the crops have been marvellous
w abundment, but the prices, not only
of food but of all articles of manufac-
ture, have been so low that men gener-
ally have felt poor. Trade has been
as dull as at any time after the great
panic of 1873.
Death has claimed its usual number
of great men, and men not distin-
guished. OF general disasters the most
melancholy was the wreck of the
steamer Ctty Of Columbus, in Vineyard
Sound, in January. The cholera ha:
been alarmingly fatal in certain districts
of France, Italy and Spain, and ragged
for short time in Paris itself Hitherto
il has not reached northern Europe.
OF noble men who have died abroad
should be mentioned Prince Leopold
youngest son of Queen Victoria; the
Prince of Orange, heir apparent of the
Crown of the Netherlands; Lord Amp.
thill, the British Ambassador at Berlin,
Edward Lasker, the great German
Liberals; General Todleben. the famou:
Russian engineer; Sir Bartle Frere, the
Englishman whose course in Soutl
Africa provoked so much controversy ;
few years ago; and Nj. Eugene Rouher
who was long the Prime-Minister o
the French Empire under Napoleon
III.
Besides these public men we mus
not forget Charles Reade, the novelist
Sir Michael Costa, the musical com
poser; and Thomas Chenery. the editor
of the London Times.
The list of American great men VIII,
have joined 1.-THE silent majority nigh
be made n very long one, but we refe
TO few only The best known of al
was Wendell Phillips, the famou
orator. But the country has also ha,
mourn the death of Judge Folger
tne very able Secretary of tie Treasury
and Of the venerable Senator Anthony
OF Rhode Island.
The year closes with many OF III
apprehensions that have made th
period somewhat gloomy one, PARTIAL
dissipated. We can all look forwar
with home to 1897. - Vaults Dn,,,n1,, mo-,