The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-22
THE NEW CENTURY.

the new century. We have thought
the matter over, and tho more we
think Of it, the more firmly we become
convinced, that the position we took
at first is tho correct one, that the
new century will begin after -
O'Clock midnight OF December 81st,
1899. We are well aware of tho fact
that there are many men of strong
minds and recognized authority on
other questions on the other side,
still we think we hare right to our
opinion and do not hesitate TO ex-
press 1t. The opposition puts up ar
guments that look well at first glance
and appears feasible from their basis
OF argument, but it seems to us that
their basis is wrong. They argue that
as year has to be finished before ano-
ther begins, consequently one hundred
years have to be finished before the
new century begins, this is very true,
but they go on to say that the year
1900 will have to be completed by tho
addition OF 12 months to 1900 before
1900 years will have elapsed since the
beginning of the Christian Era, and
right here is where We think they
make the slip. We contend that the
1900 years has been completed as
soon as II mouths has been added
to the dating 1899; that we have been
filing out the months, weeks and
| days necessary to make up the 10UOth
year ever since the last day Of last
December. We have seen the matter
| discussed in the columns Of the met
ropolitan journals and magazines,
some holding to one side ard some to
tho other, each furnishing imaginary
dialogues to sustain their side and
proving up to their entire satisfaction.
We take the position that aS the
| Christian Era began at the birth of
Christ, and taking for granted that
the first year began with January 1st
and ended with December 3lst, then
while the year one was passing it was
not one year Of the Christian Era
until the 31st Of December had ex-
pired then the year closing could be
properly named,the year Ammo Dom
ini OF, The bcginning can only be
represented by the cipher (0) and it
required II full months to complete
! year ], if this is true then the next
month following would necessarily be
the first month in the twelve going
to make up the End year, or the year
2, and when the twelve were finished
two years had expired or two twelve.
-~-'l~ an2 tl.o year wac nam cd
Same as to centuries, 100 years had
passed Immediately al the close o
the - months following 90, therefore
when 1899 was written 1899 years haG
passed and II months added makes
another year and carries the figures
to 1900.
AS others arc illustrating by dia
logues we will give few illustration
to hold up our end.
lst. Where will you find mile rocl
No. l?
Ans. When you have travelled
mile from the court house.
End. Where will you find the 1O(
mile rock?
Ans. Just 100 miles from the
court house.
Bird. Will you have to travel IN.
other mile after you reach the l0C
mile rock before you have tra"cled
100 miles from The court house?
Ans. Not much, I will have made
100 miles as soon as I reach the 1OC
mile rock.
Then you have no right to name
your Tooth mile till you have reached
| it?
a. No, was in my Tooth mile as
soon as passed the 00th rock, but had
t" reach the next post before / could
call 100, but did not have to go another
yard.
Then when the month December
1899 has passed it means that 1899
years and II months have elaps. d?
A. That is the idea exactly, and it
opens the new century, and the first
day OF the year 1900 is the first day
going toward the y months necessary
t. complete tho first year OF the goth
century or 1901 years OF tho Christin n