The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1918-12-27
GOODBYE, OLD YEAR

Within two or three days the old
year will have run it's course. and
1919, with hopeful promise of better
things will be Insured in.
For the world at large 1918 has been
IN unhappy period on the whole. al
though within almost the closing days
the angel of peace spread its wings
over the warning nations, which was
Il happy ending to u long period of
dreadful slaughter and misery
During the past year thousands aye
lens of thousands, of the best man.
hood of the world have given up their
lives in the most frightful war that
has ever cursed the world, and thou
sands of homes in America are mourn
ing the loss of dear ones. Other
thousands have been MANNED and
broken as a result of that titanic
struggle, living witnesses of the cost
Of maintaining democracy in this land
and other lands.
Besides the toll that war has en-
acted this country has. and is passing
through one of the most devastating
plaques that has ever visited this ua-
zion, and the end is not yet, although
there is a marked Improvement in the
situation as the old year goes out
holding forth the promise that the
Lord who has chastened the people
IS hardening to their call for relief
and dissipating the affliction. Far
more victims have succumbed to this
world wide malady than has been
claimed in the same period of time
by the war, and daily fresh victims
are added to the dreadful toll.
Between war and pestilance 1918
has indeed been unkind to the peoples
of the earth
Yet despite these great calanlities
the country has much to be thankful
for in this old year about to pass into
the heretofore. Peace, even il pur-
chased at a heavy price, has been
great nations tearing at each others
throats. There is hopes that through
the far-seeing and intelligent diplo-
macy of those who are to meet and
promulgate terms by which peace is
to be restored plans may be fornlu-
lated that will insure a peace that
will be lasting for all time to come
And if this be happy issue of the
forthcoming peace congress future
generations may we'll feel that the
millions who have given their lives
to accomplish such an object did not
die in vain.
Then from a material point the old
year has treated this country kindly
1t has been prosperous year to the
vast majority. With all the restric-
tons superinduced by state of war
business in all lines has f1ourished
wages have increased and general
betterment prevails. The yield Of the
earth has been bounteous, and while
famine has stalked through some
stricken portions of the world We in
America have enjoyed plenty.
The outlook for the new year is
most gratifying. Our soldier boys
will come streaming home from for
eign land assured of a warm welcome
Wise council will undoubtedly prevail
in the readjustment of business in
every line of endeavor to meet the
changed conditions, public and private
capital will be enlisted in pushing
new ventures, renewed activity in
all classes of Improvement will give
employment to returned soldiers and
the artisans at home and 1919 ought
to be one of the most prosperous and
progressive years in the history OF
the nation. God grant that so may
it be.