The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1902-01-09
RECORD BEQUEATHED BY 1901.
Raleigh Times

As0AS'
Another year has passed away. the
record of the first twelve months Of
the twentieth century must take its
place in the archives of the dead, as
Father Time starts anew his cycle.
Defeats generally make a more pro-
found impression than victories, so.
looking backward over the year just
traversed, one first recalls the illus
trious names On Deaths scroll before
the achievements Of science, art,
finance or war are rememb ered.
Early in the year just ended Queen
Victoria died after long and glorious
reign and was laid among the tombs
of her ancestors. Two days later
Edward VII was proclaimed King of
the United Kingdom OF Great Britain
and Ireland, Defender Of the Faith
and Emperor of India. In our own
country Ben iamin Harrison died the
week after William Mckinley was the
second time inaugurated as President
OF the United States. The grief of the
nation over the assassination OF this
statesman, on September 9th by the
vile anarchist Czolgosz, and his death
September 14th, is still fresh in our
hearts. His grand speech at Buffalo,
the day before his assassination,
breathing the spirit of peaceful pro-
gress, will remain the noblest utter
ancs OF the year which dies tonight.
Another demise of which the whole
world took account was that OF Lii
Hung Chang, the great Chinese diplo-
mat and leader last November. The
world of letters lost both Walter
Besant and Robert Buchanan on the
same day last June. VIM. Nj. Evarts,
the profound lawyer, and Lorenzo
Snow, the Mormon leader, were num-
bered among those who are no more.
The infamy of two men attracted at
tention to their end: Bresci, the Pat
erson, n. j., anarchist, who killed
King Humbert, of Italy, and hanged
himself last May in his cell at Rome,
and Czolgosz, who was electroeuted at
Auburn, N. Y. October goth, for a
crime which threw the world in tears.
The disasters Of water, fire and &C
cidents have been numerous, yet it is
| difficult to recall one which will be
known to posterity a hundred years
hence. Every one now remembers
wildly tho wreck of the steamer Rio
de Janeiro on a hidden rock at Golden
Gate, when 80 persisted; the fire at
jacksonville, Fla. with its 100000,
| 900 in losses; the disastrous floods in
Western North Carolina, Virginia and
other States; and the record break ing
hot weather last summer.
In the parliament Of nations early
in 1901 the Chinese difficulty was set
tied by the powers for the time being
at least. The British war with tn,
| Beers still languishes, and the Fill
pinos have not yet all laid down theil
arms. The American demands or
Turkey have been complied with
Conflicts have as usual prevailed
among the South American Republics
but comparative peace has existed
with the world powers. Army anC
naval circles have furnished sensa
tions without foreign foes. Last July
Admiral Schley made his request fol
an investigation of his conduct during
the Spanish-America war and thu
verdict recently given is known tt
every child. Two officers of higl
standing, Rear Admiral Robert Evan!
and General Miles, have been censuret
severely, the former in August, tn,
latter in Der, for breaches o
discipline. In England General Bull
Ter was stripped of his high commant
for foolishly disclosing State secre
about the resistance of Ladysmith.
Two especially notable strikes hav'
occurred during the year, that of th
steel workers and of the machinists
The growth of great corporations ha
been unprecedented and perhaps TIL
most notable of these is the Northern
Securities Company, with capital o
$4O0, GOO, 900, to control the great rail
way systems to the Pacific. bu
philanthropy has more than KEEP
pace with these industrial strides
and Andrew Carnegie, John ID. Rookie
Teller, Mrs. Stanford and others hav
given away millions. The matches
Pan-American Exposition, at Buffalo
which opened NAV 1st and close'
November LIST, with a loss of So, 900.
600 to the promoters, must make 100
memorable.
The year has been prolific in books
but it is difficult to point to any on
great masterpiece which is destined
to endure the ravages of time. Il
science the progress has been marvel
Gus; an air ship has at last been con
structed which fulfills tho prediction
of the inventor; wireless telegraghy i
coming into practical use; the trutI
Of the nebular hypothesis has bee
established; valuable truths regard
ing the nature of certain disease
have become known. Throughout
the civilized world specialists wit
tireless brains are probing for som
of natures secrets. and a man to b.
useful must now devote himself t
some specific study.
Looking at our own country, one i
impressed with the broad foundation
We have laid for the coming year
The construction of the Isthmial
canal and the Pacific cable became as
sured facts in 1901. Never was
Congress face to face with so man
progressive measures as the body nov
in Washington. and the recent mes
sage of the President contained re
concentrations which would hav
thoroughly startled the nation eve
five years ago. Surely we have srea
things to expect from the new year