The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-03
THE YEAR IN HISTORY.

TIE year which has tust gore 70 JOIN
the good cid times witnessed some I'm
portant events in the Old world and N
the new. TIE TransvaaI difficulty was
sri.ating a large part Of the world when
1895 began, and the Venezuelan boundary
question threatened to cause serious
trouble between Great Britain ard the
United States. Both seem TO have been
eettled. and although there remains yet
Q little irritation between ths Beers and
the British. the fear OF trouble between the
two Angio-Saxon nations is entirely dis
PEELED BY the arbitration treaty. which -
now practically accomplished.
The presidential election in this coun-
try was one OF the most serious events
CT the year. not only for this country. but
probably for many people OF other ma
tons. Il was one OF the most remarkabls
that has ever taken place, because IL was
on the part OF the Republicans one OF de-
tense against q menace 20 the country's
honor. and an assault By the most hetero-
geneous aggregation OF inharmonious
elements that ever formed common cause
for the purpose OF attaining Office. At the
commencement OF 1896, It looked as IL the
contest was 10 be one Of aggression
by the Republicans on the tariff issue,
and that there would be an overwhelming
victory over the free traders, with scarce
ly q defense. Suddenly there swept over
the country a tidal wave. So early as
January tiie time OF the national conven-
ton was set by the Republicans for June.
n spite OF protests agains. long cam
paign. Yet this proved to be the coun-
try's salvation. Had t-.s election followed
quickly upon Bryan's nomination. the con-
test must have been 50 close as to give en-
coyragement for another effort. But the
people had time to read and reflect, and
II 10 safe TO cay mat not again IN the
present generation will such . financial
fallAey ovsrtaks this people. The free
silvsritss were numerous. but they gained
a fictitious strength by tho adhesion of
ina Southern states with their Demo-
cratic votes. cast as they VIGOROUSLY are
too often FOR the ticket. irrespective OF
men OF principles. The distress Of the two
years preceding the election had made
many men willing TO risk almost anything
for a change. but before the day OF cleo
ton came they had begun 20 realize that
wrong means would not reach a right end.
The people even yet. as a whole, scarcely
realize what disaster was averted.
The election of Mckinley. and the re-
turn 10 tho policy which has always made
the country prosperous. have served to
check the downward tendency. It is no
easy matter 70 build UP again prosperity
from mo ruins and to restore stability TO
severely shaken enterprise. but twelve
months will not pass before normal con-
ditions viii be reached, and then indi-
Virtual effort must do the rest
The Cuban war has scarcely seemed 60
change in aspect during the year In jan
uary last Gomez was conspicuous. haceo
scarcely heard o.. The Spaniards were
confident that the recallsof Ca-npos and
the advent OF Weyler would result IN an
early close of the war. lie hEbustering
steamer Hawkins had just then been
wrecked with $4,000 worth of ammunition.
and the stories told by each side were as
conflicting as they have been ever since.
OF greater consequence 10 this nation
and to the world probably IS the agree
ment OF England and the United States
to have the Venezuelan boundary dispute
referred 70 arbitration. followed by the
even more important agreement 10 sub
init all differences between them for Eve
years TO peaceabls adjustment. The inca-
dent not only removes possibility OF
trouble which could not but be most seri-
GUS and expensive in SIS consequences,
but Il adds considerably TO the prestige
Of ths republic with other European
nations.
The administration OF Grover Cleveland
Will be identified with two most oreditable
features, namely. the assertion Of our ia
tlonaI tnfluence abroad and the maIuten-
snce Of our financial honor at home. As
the representative Of a mistaken CONNER
clal policy. Mr.. Cleveland VIII suffer with
his party III. odlum Of tts bluader.ns con
sequences. but as 8 thorough American In
ais attitude toward foreigners he - to bs
admired as a fine tyre OF the national
character
The notabls success ot Or. Nans1n. al
enough he fell short q 49, own expeota
tons. the march % the English upon the
soudan. the defeat % ITALY by King Meme
lex OF Abyssinls, the subjagation Of Mad
agasca- by the French. and ths close of
hoseuties ostween China and Japan we're
among che contributions mate ~ other
nations % history. Ths coronation OF re
car. followed ~ hts visi; 10 other coun-
tries. ths arrival OF The first japanese
steamer 81 sesttle. and ths Reorganization
o; Sc Northera Pacific stand out IS con-
sriouoUs events n = memorable ysar
TIE record hss been spread a; isnErA or
srosher page, end Il makes an Interesting
chapter N tAs book OF sas century.
TIE STATE OF WASHINGTON.