Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-01-06
THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
From the Baltimore Sun.

and tomorrow the beginning OF a
new year. TO the thoughtful il is
an occasion for reviewing the events
OF the past twelve months, with the
tendencies they indicate, and for
estimating the probable effects of
known social, political and econom-
&c forces in the near future. The
year 1887, like its predecessors, has
been fruitful Of important happen
ings, though it has happily been
exceptionally free from great catas-
trophies. There have been no wars
of any considerable magnitude in
progress, no phenomenally destruc-
tive earthquakes, famines or pesti-
lences. There have been, 1t is true,
freshets in China and elsewhere,
involving large loss of life, many
losses Of ships at sea, many rail
road accidents and mine explosions
and strikes, which caused immense
suffering. But these, unfortunate
ly, are not exceptional items of the
worlds annals. They recur regu.
larry, and will most probably con-
tinue to do so as long as existing
conditions remain unchanged. The
world over, there has been a GER
tain amount of reaction against the
industrial and commercial depres-
sion that has so long prevailed,
and in this respect 1887 may be
said to have been a good year.
This is particularly true OF the
United States, where there has
been a marked activity in almost
every line of enterprise.
In the field ofnational interests the
year 1887 reckons such events as
the enactment of the interstate
commerce law, the Mexican pen
sion act, the Canadian relation act
aud the initiation of negotiations
looking TO a settlement Of the Cana
dian fisheries question.
The hanging of the Chicago an
archists and the Presidents message
to Congress making tariff reform
the great issue OF national politics,
and the decision of the Supreme
Court in the Virginia habeas corpus
cases reasscrting the immunity OF
States, under the eleventh amend
ment, from suits prosecuted by cit
liens of other States or of foreign
States. An event to be mentioned
in this connection, as affecting ma
tional interests, was the absorption
by the Western Union of the b. y
o. Telegraph properties. The sale
of the express properties OF the b.
& o. and the passage of this great
trunk line, after ridiculous negotla
tons with Henry S. Ives, into the
control of syndicate Of American
and foreign bankers, we're events
which appear at first sight, per
haps, of a local character.
Turning from 1887 to 1888, We
have to observe that the latter yeaI
promises to be an interesting one
for those who concern themselves
with national politics. A President
to succeed Mr.. Cleveland is to be
elected. This means an exciting
campaign, in which the best eXer
tons of the politicians of both o
the leading parties will be puI
forth. Already the preliminary
skirmishing has begun in Congress
and the fight, in its progress, vii
present many entertaining features
| will useful tariff.reform bill b'
passed By the democratic majority
of the House during the Presen
session. or will the details OF III
ture measure be the principal theme
of discussion in the campaign end
ing in Noveuberl Will the demo
Gratis renominate and re.elect Mr.
Cleveland Win the republicans
renomlnate and elect Mr.. Blaine
Questions of this sort cannot fan u
occupy large share OF attention
throughout much the greater par
of the coming year. From the Ill
dustrial point of view the outlooi
Tor 1888 is fair, to say the least
There will not be so much railroad
building as IN 1887, and there will
therefore, be some relaxation OF &C
tIvlty, probably, IN the Industries
connected with that interest; bu
there are no indications at presen
that there will be in 1888 any sucl
general depression, attended by
ranics, failures and strikes, as II
the period from 1881 to 1881.
Abroad the past year was one o
peace. In Europe, however, thu
peace it was an armed truce. Ger
many has increased its standing
army by some $4,000 men, and il
now increasing its force OF reserves
France, Russia, tria-Hungary
Italy, and even insular England
have been also greatly increasing
their ornaments, substituting DEAD
lier weapons for those formerly II
use, and terrifying at every point
1t was expected, toward the clOs'
of 1886, that hostiltles between
Russia on the one side and England
and Austria. Hungary on the othe
would begin in the spring OF 1881
the pretensions of Russia in Afghan
istan and Bulgaria being the cause
of offense. During the past yea
all the open questions between Rus
STA and England as regards Afghan
istan have been closed, but the Bnl
garian question remains and ap
pears to be reaching daily a NOR
and more acute stage, Germany
and Austria..Hungary being a
present the powers most prom
nently opposed to Russia. Some
assert that war next spring is lnev
table, now that troops are concen
trating on the frontiers OF the pow
ers involved in the quarrel, but l
is to be hoped that this war clout
will pass away like those that pre-
coded 1t. France has had its usua
frequent cabinet crises, and added
in the closing month of the year
discreditable presidential crisis
Instability continues to be the vic
of French governments, and l
France should be involved in tn
,,.o, +ho+ looms nm i'm the Eastern