Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1922-01-03
THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.

Idlewhile, Shepherdstown, w. Va,
January /, 1922.
The year of 1921 has finished its
mission and this New Year day flies
the flag of hope.
Sfany Of us came to the closc OF
the year with a sense of defeat We
have failed to accomplish what we had
hoped. Events have shaped them
selves against US, and we have lack
ed the power to stem the tide.
he good resolutions with which
we so bravely started soon went lame
and dropped out. Thus many of US
finQ the shadows of disappointment
and failure falling around us as the
OLD Year came to a close. So many
are saying, What is the use of
struggling longer? We are fated to
disaster.
This New Year dawns and some
thing is saying, Try again. We are
not lost because we fail, but because
we decline to attempt, Mr.. Editor.
The pages Of yesterdy is stained
page, blurred by our tears and
blctted with failures, but the page
of tomorrow is white and clean.
December 81 locks its doors securely
forever. You, cannot unlock those
doors. What has been done cannot
be undone. Some. of US began our
life's journey quite awhile ago.
1900 is gonei 1910 is gonel 1920
is gone! Those years all sped by
and they are locked forever. They
are gone with lost opportunities;
wasted privileges, broken pledges.
You cannot call them back. 1t is
indeed regrettable we cannot go
back and with added experience Of
years live portion of our lives
again. | thing every high-minded
person would do differently if he was
over. But, Why think over the
past? Why nurse the unfortunate
/ in our bosoms. You cannot go back
If you would. If we are sensible we
would not if we could. To brood
over lifes unforgoten past only
doubles the present load and deepens
the burrows in our brow. So Mr..
Editor, we should wipe off the slate,
box up all Omissions" all mistakes,
all the troubles that never happened
and bury them. Then with head
erect, chest out and shoulders back,
look every person squarely in the
ACE, make no apology for yesterday.
The Old Year is gone, the New Year
is before you and it is all yours.
The world lies at your feet. / am
not addressing this message to the
young simply, for no person is ex-
op,r+ PROM, nHEoo+;o~e TIo~o
lis no age limit in lifes' battle. Mr..
Editor when we are through with this
world, this world is through with US.
1t is regrettable that so many per-
sons consider it fashionable to retire
at certain age, and that age is
getting constantly lower.
Man should not consider with
drawing from life's toll at (50) fifty
and one should think himself not old
at sixty. remember Gladstone was
doing the best work of his life at
eighty-five and at eighty-seven he
toured England in speech-making
trip in behalf of Armenia.
Little streams often dry up in the
desert but great rivers run full
strength to the sea, and turn the
/
I finally plunge into the ocean. Small
lives are easily discouraged, but
every great life is rooted in the past,
1t blossoms today and bears fruit to-
morrow.
The knowledge of the fact that
yonder on the sky line flies the flag
of Hope should put punch and ginger
into our sapped and fading vitality
A great life is ahead of us, because
we have the blessed results of yes
terdy's experience. The tusure is
full of promise. Americas greatest
history is yet to be written. The
best days are yet to come. 1921 was
far better than 1920. 1922 will be
better than 1921 if we are willing to
do our part. Success consists, not
in never falling but rising every time
we fall.
Time, like an everlasting stream
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
I