The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-01-01

The accustomed cheer of holiday festival still
fingers like the bright remembrance of a happy
dream. and the image of Christmas pleasures that
merge with the happy greetings of New Years
morn. yet gild the avenues of toll and care with
more than mortal beauty Memory lives on"
and whatever good we have reaped from the past
will be ever with US. an eternal presence. EQUAL
ly indissoluble are the ties that bind us to the
consequences of evil actions. and in proportion
as the one or the other predomihates. will be the
measure of future satisfaction. when the past is
lived again in thought. Former errors ought
never to claim the attention they admon-
ish against future violation of the moral code
and inspire a greater love for right and greater
hatred for wrong. That the world is growing
better is the universal observation of those who
note the course and conduct of human affeirs.
" Millenium's dawn may yet be in the immensi-
ty of unknown space. but that the human race is
advancing. slowly but surely. to realization of
its noblest purposes. very few will question.
Human happiness is enhanced every year. Mans
appreciation of golden rule" that inculcates
at once every phase of moral teachings and point
to the certain paths of a just and equitable life
grows apace. Be good and sou will be happy"
has always stood the test of actnal experience.
Mankind in general have ever accorded full cre-
| dulity to this principle and always repented a
wilful violation of the mandate enjoined The
difficulty lay not in the rejection of so salutary
maxim. but in mems conception of what consti
tuted virtue. Spartan or Roman virtue. however
applicable to the ancient notions of recttude. are
now recognized by the intelligent as characters
tics more fit for completing the makeup of pu-
gilist than adorning manhood. There has been
less of actual wick edness than of misguided judg-
ment in the worlds history. The motives not
Al nf ifrrfa fha arifa
Applying this standard, very much that has been
stigmatised as the most monstrous brutality and
extreme of cruelty will be found not to consist
so much of fagitous conduct as a conscientious
endeavor to obey the light within" Only as
men become wiser do they become better Edu-
cate and you will humanize. The more enlight-
eminent the more humanity. This it is that is
leading US to the higher happiness. The natural
surroundings of the human race have no more to
do with their happiness now than three thousand
years ago. True happiness exists independent of
surroundings. 1t must ever be found amid the
mutations of time and convulsions of nature.
" In the midst of life we are in DEATH" was al
ways true. Earthquakes floods. cyclones. plague
sickness. suffering and death have ever held
equal place with the most favorable conditions
for the safety of human life Nature has no ia
vorites and protects or destroys alike the most
exemplary characters and the most evil. 1880
will be no exception to the rule. Business success
and social enjoyment will come in the same way.
and even swearing Off will not take the place
of a steady purpose. The 365 days that must
elapse before the wish of Happy New Year"
is heard again. will not be laden with any happi-
ness Of their own. To him that is sincere in his
professions. dsinterssted in his views, equitable.
just and open in his conduct and resolute in ac-
tion, 1890 will be Happy New Year.