The Dawson journal. (Dawson, Ga.) 1878-18??, 1885-01-15
THE OLD AND THE NEW,

VIC years ana the ages that are
fied. With all its results for
good and evil, it stands upon the
irreversible records of the past.
All that We have done for good is
indelibly stamped upon the pages
of its history, and it stands there
to meet the reward of coming
generations and possibly the sane
ton of God, according to the di-
vinity of motive with which it
was done. All that we have done
evil toward ourselves, toward our
fellow-citizens, toward the God of
Providence, is likewise printed
upon times changeless record of
bygone years, and it will stand
against us by the verdict of fu-
ture results. Our lost opportu-
mites, our failures to do what we
might have done, our sins of
omission, as we'll as of commits
sion, are written in the book of
fate and many of us are CON-
PEELED to mourn over the sad
thought of what we might have
been, or what we might have
done. Besides all this, there are
yet many scars and 'unhealed
wounds upon the hearts and men,
cries Of many; our sins, our sor-
rows, our failures and losses and
besetments have left their mark
upon us, in spite of hopes and
struggles against all the enemies
and opposition of this life. More
over, we have many heartburn
ings, possibly, toward one anoth-
other. Social business, political
and sometimes religious jealous
les and strifes leave their banefnl
touch upon the peace and happi-
ness of every community, Our
local elections, especially, above
everything else, engenders i'll
feeling that grows into hatred
and strife which fosters enmity
for years and testers often with
the corruption of malice that,
sooner or later, if not cured,
breaks out in longstanding feud,
to break out ultimately in violence
and disaster. This is one Of the
saddest features of society in our
free government, in this land of
liberty. Not a town or village or
community in all this broad land
but what feels the sting of the
venomed serpent of political feud,
poisoning thousands of individ-
uals and families towards each
other, and it is often matter of
wonder and marvel that sensible
men-men of great mind and no.
BILE capacities-sh should become the
victims of petty spites and the
spirit of unforgiveness. Not I'M
frequently through long years of
this short life, noble men and
women hate each other for some
past injury, real or supposed and
they go down to the grave with
the venom Of a lifelong hatred
still wrangling in their hearts.
How worse than childish, for chill
dren forget and forgive each 9TH
err. 1t is not the spirit of true
manhood and womanhood. 1t is
the spirit of the devil and not of
God or good. Well, as the old
year has fed, and new year with
new issues is upon us, 1t is q
good time to forget the things be-
hind us and reach forth unto the
things before us. Let us press
for greater prize, and not be
satisfied with past successes
much less brood over past mis-
fortunes, sorrows or heartburningo.
There are three classes of men
and women-some who live only
in the past some who live only
in the future-sOme who live only
in the present. Those who live
in the past usually sit down and
rake among the embers aud ashes
Of lost hopes and past failures or
nurse and brood over their
wrongs. or if they have done any
aood become satisfied with con-
/ Graduating themselves over what
tbsv have done without making
.nr further proRress Those who