The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-01
NOISY WELCOME
GREETS NEW YEAR
Breaks Loose on All Sides When
Midnight Hour Marks Death
OF Old.
But NOT SO NOISY AS SOME
Sunday Quiet Lcssened Ardor OF
People Who Were Bent OH
Celebration.
BUT NOT SO NOISY AS SOME

The year 1Hli Is no moro. Side by
eide with its thousands of brothers of
yesterday IT lies buried III the
emoldering ashes of the past. Its $50
days, With their mixture of JOY ana
borrow, pain and pleasure, success and
failure. form one more page in the
book OF eternity. one more link has
been welded between the days which
have gone and the days which are to
como.
Nineteen hundred and twelve is horn.
Joyously, yet rcverently, Richmond
welcomed the new child of time. a
waning Sabbath lent its influence to
the celebration, yet Changing bells.
shriekinE whistles, blazing bon fires.
with now and then the more energetic
outbursts from cannon crackers. told
of the optimism with which the pco-
plo of this good town faced the fu-
ture. Here. and there red lights cast
their reflections against the sky TO
bid the visitor welcome.
It was not peculiar welcome, pecu-
liar neither to Richmond nor in its
character. II was such welcome as
was probably extended in every town.
village and hamlet in these great
United States, or In tho world, for tina
matter. 1t was peculiar from a lccnl
standpoint only because Richmond
owes a great deal to tho year that is
gone, and has SO much to look forward
TO In the year just born.
Brightly lighted homes, housing poo
plo with the thankfulncss OF living in
their faces, was pleasant spectacle
for the wayfarer. All latches were on
tho outside, and it needed no tap at
the door to bring forth cheering wei
come. All Richmond celebrated.
Bacchus promenadcd in fearless
fashion, and clinking glasses told that
he. too. was not an unwclcome visitor.
The fact that 1t was Sunday night
probably lcssened the noise which
usually marks the reception given 4
new year. However, nothing could
dampcn the ardor of those who wcrc
willing TO let the dead past busy its
dead, and to look to the future with
stout hearts. For those who had suf-
Tered, gladncss came through tho
knowledge that their suffering lay
cntombcd in the hours which had gone
For those TO whom the old year had
given pleasure. came the lingering
memory of those pleasant hours with
prospects of many more. Altogether
Richmond was glad and Richmond
gave such a welcome as only Richmond
can-scdatc, diEnifcd, but sincere
Little children, still delighted with
the toys left over from Christmas. and
allowed 10 stay UP Just q little while
longer" mingled with their elders, not
quite understanding II all, yet enjoy
Ing II because of their ignorance. They
knew not why the old folks look cd
with ycarning as Father Time slammed
his door on another chapter of their
lives, while the younger members of
tho family, with the hill OF existence
vet TO climb. laughed Eaily and loud.
One lived In the memories of the mast
the other III the hope of things yet
to be achieved Still the children
rompcd and played. looking on wise
~. yet unknowingly. imbibing the
spirit OF the occasion and getting their
first lesson in the mortality OF man.
To-day the business man will he
busy with eraser. rubbing out 1911 and
rewriting 1872. Stenographers will
have malcdictions ind anathemas
hurled at them for the same error. II
will take some time for matters TO
get straight. but soon 1912 will be
part of our everyday life and we will
story and welcome still another new
year.
Many of the churches throughout
the city held watch night services. At
all of these. services the attendance
was reported good. Stirring addresses
were made By the ministers, reciting
the events of The past year and giving
advice for the new. 1t was a tittinE
close TO the greatest year in the his
tory making community. Richmond ~
glad; glad that the things which may
have irirt are back of her. glad In
the strength which means that obstac les
can NC overcome and that success in
greater measure Will he here. And
THchmonds gladness Is the composite
Eladness of the thousands OF souls who
are happy TO call RichmoMd home. And
again let no one overlook the joyful
TACT that Leap Year has arrived