The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-12-26
THE NEW YEAR.

With this issue The UNION closes its Thirty
Sixth Volume. Before 60 to press again old
Time in his resistless flight will have ushered in
the natal period of New Year. Every day, hour
and moment constitutes the turning pivot of an
annual revolution. We pass silently, without
cessation, from the feeting second, never before
realized, but just born, and so moves onward the
great universe of created things, animate and
inanimate, giving reproduction in form and SIM
ilitude to what had fourished again and again,
now Wondering in decay, through the infinite
gradations of existing, changing matter.
There is something at the going out Of an old
and coming in of the new year, as marked in our
calendar, eminntly conductive to serious thought
on one hand and cheerfulness on the other. When
the last midnight bell tolls in melancholy sounds
of so old and venerable friend, with whom we
were accustomed to enjoy pleasant days, mingled,
perchance, with some sadness, having gone for
ever to the tomb, we naturally mourn its depar-
ture and mediate upon the perishabe nature of
all things earthly. When, however, Times ex-
hausted chain has again been wound up to run
another twelve months, and his great clock strikes
one in the neU, there is something to strengthen
hope with joy and gladness in anticipating what
of pleasure may be in store for US within the
coming future So in this spirit we bid all our
friends the compliments of the season, wishing
they may realize contentment, freedom from
trouble and an abundance of everything con-
tributing to long life and happiness.
The anniversary of new year forms fitting
, occasion to make good resolves and improve the
future by lessons of experience learned in the
past: We can look over life's retrospect, and as
the mariner at sea, avoid those rocks and quick
sands whereby some have met shipwreck and
others been seriously endangered. Avoid ex-
travagance, practice frugality, cultivate indus
trious habits and lay up something for rainy
day. Be just, be kind, honest, virtuous and
righteous, securing clear conscience, void of
offence. Cultivate kindly spirit towards all. If
there have been unpleasant differences, let by
cones be by-gones and the dead past bury its
dead, that we may better enjoy the living future
1t is right, however, to be honest in entertaining
truthful sentiment whether political, religious or
otherwise, but always respectful toward those
claiming the prerogative of earnestly differing
from us. Remember, we live not for ourselves
alone; that all are interested one with the other,
in OutwOrking common good. Live and let
live, forgive and be forgiving, are wholesome
maxims whether at the beginning or ending of
year.
For our own part we have, to the best of our
ability, conducted our journal in this spirit and
shall strive to continue SO doing. We resolve to
L. 3 i c.
able, hoping to retain their appreciation. Thank
full for many favors, we shall go straight forward
in the even tenor of our way, striving always to
do what may merit approval.
Hard times have oppressed many in the past
few years, and still rests with heavy hand on
thousands. We hope and believe there are brighter
prospects for all in the future. 1t is a human
prerogative to determine to make the best of what
may yet be in store within the new and subsequent
years.
There is one thing which, if every person will
keep steadily in view, never allowing it to escape
from mind, whether at the commencing, ending
or middle of year that is, to do right, deal
justly, act squarely up to the standard of justice
as approved by clear conscience, and there will
be little danger Of going amiss in season out
of season. Adhering to such principle will OBJ
viate the necessity of making special resolves on
New Years or any other day to quit bad habits.
Let honesty be taught everywhere throughout
the world as of paramount Importance in making
good citizens. This is practical common sense
and must outwork benefcent results.
We again return many thanks and grateful re-
MEMBRANES to the friends and patrons of THE
UNION, believing they will not forget us, and for
such reciprocity of social feeling and business in
terest, once more do we wish them HAPPY NEW
YEAR.