The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-01-07
The Messelwer.
THE YEAR THAT is GONE

THE YEAR THAT is GONE
We wrote of the New Year on Sat
urday; now let US write of the year that
ifs gone. Many peculiarities marked
1897. 1t was an exceedingly dry year.
There was a great drought that extend
ed over a vast area embracing a dozen
or twenty states, and cutting short the
crops. In Europe there was in most
countries a short wheat crop and that
helped the wheat growers in the great
west of our own land. 1t caused an i'm
portant rise in wheat which was of
great benefit to those farmers who raise
for market. 1t put up bread which was
so much taken from the pockets of
buyers and bread-winners. Other
crops advanced some, white cotton
ruled extremely low for months and is
still greatly depressed, there was an
advance in tobacco, in which to many
North Carolina are interested.
In spite of the Duke trust and the ciga-
rette monopoly to a considerable ex-
tent prices of tobacco are perhaps 20 or
25 per cent. higher than in 1896. All Of
which is encouraging and helps to swell
many a lean pocket book.
There were wars and rumors of wars
in many parts of the world, but we do
not stop to particularize. The war be-
tween Greece and Turkey was the most
important and full Of disaster for the
modern Greeks who are very little like
the ancient Greeks, and really Of mixed
blood.
A new president came in to shape the
policies of our country. Thus far the
administration of President Mckinley
has not been brilliant or very prosper
Gus. Indeed, he has disappointed his
party friends more or less; has disap-
pointed the friends Of and sympathiz-
ers with Cuba; has played q double
game as to currency; has favored the
most Objectionable, deceptive, robbing
and insufficient tariff tax tha was ever
born in inquiry and immortality, n
will either drive the republican party
into bone selling in time of peace, or
into direct taxation under the internal
ACNCDuC SySICII W IdlSc ne uCGuCu
revenues with which to carry on sue
cessfully the ordinary business of the
government. Tt is a monumental fail
ure of ignorance, viciousness, d~epravity
and general stupidity. Woe to any peo-
pie cursed by such legislation enacted
by such unworthy and incapable law
makers. The currency question was
80 ~ = 1Onc "a zc4~z
boosted of, but remains, chaotic, in
sufficient and undetermined.
"A great deal might be said if a gen.
eral survey was made OF the greatest
nations and their affairs discussed. Of
course important and interesting events
happen in the course of twelve months.
The past year was no exception.
There was dvanc in man. directions,
eminently in science, in surgery, in ed
ucatiOn and in the spread of the gospel
among the heather in the old lands
and among the nations calling them
selves boastfully civilized and chris
tianized Last year showed large gifts
for missions in this country, religion
and education and the sum is not far
from $50, 600, 900, which after all is a
mere trif1e as compared with what men
spend for voluntary vices. The
whiskey bill alone will exceed the sum
stated by ten fold probably. The drink
tax on drinks, laid by themselves on
themselves, is believed to amount to
not less than IS, 900, 600 in North Carolina
alone.
In literature there was no really great
publication. There were many works
published having learning, research,
ability, interest, n instruction, and
there were some novels and poems pub
Hished revealing either clever talents or
some genius, but nothing great first
saw the light. In literature 1897, was
not Annus Mirabilis. Andrew Lang,
the versatile, witty, brilliant poet, es-
sayest and novelist says Of the flood
that poured from the presses upon the
world, that it was composed OF produc-
1ions-'printed matter which today is
and tomorrow is cast into the four
penny box" The most remarkable
works probably were Nansen's account
of his adventures and romantic voyage
of discovery in the white north"
Sloane's Life of Napoleon" biography
of Lord Tennyson, Lord Roberts's his
tory of his forty years in India as a
soldier, and Mahan's Life Of Nelson"
an American work as is Professor
Sloane's.
The United States are at peace with
all nations, and it is to be greatly de-
sired that no war drums shall be heard,
fin the land during the year 1898. May
peace and good will reign, both at
home anC abroad. Let our great nation
stand off from all ~"entangling ALI
-ances,' avoid all extension of territory
BOY stealing from weaker peoples, and
in so far as it can be done with safety
and honor steer clear of all movements