Year: 1873

events which are to 20 down to coming
generations as po,t Of the worlds great
history, we will be disappointed. The
Old World has given birth to nothing
which will serve TO make the passing
year remarkable above those which have
preceded it, or which are to follow
Throughout its civilized Kingdoms peace
and prosperity reign, and but for the
halfway warfare which Spain is waging,
partly to protect its Republican form of
government from destruction at the hands
Of the Carlst insurgents, partly to reduce
her rebellious colony to submission the
doors of the Temple Of Janus could be
closed. Between our government and
that of Spain was, at one time a ques-
tion which threatened to disturb the
peaceful relations existing between the
two nations. But wiser councils prevail
ed, and the threatened trouble settled in
such manner as to leave friendly feel
ing between the two countries. But al
though diplomacy took the place of arms
in the adjustment Of the trouble growing
out Of the seizure Of the VjrgtniuS, fol-
lowed by the summary execution Of her
passengers and crew, yet the cold blood
ed murder Of those unfortunate men, at
the hands Of the Spanish authorities, will
forever remain as black spot upon the
honor of the Spanish name.


Each Of the two years preceding this
was marked by terrible conHagration,
reducing many to beggary and causing a
great amount of suffering. Happily,
there has been no such disasters to record
for 1873. But while the element of fire
has worked but little desolation, its OPP
posite, upon the great highway of COM
merce, the ocean, has been busy in the
work Of destruction. The mind fails to
recall year in which there has been so
many marine disasters attended with
such frightful loss Of human life. The
N0uhfcet and 1Udnttc, the one with
$50 and the other with $50 souls on board,
then the CITY Of Washington, fol-
lowed by the storm which carried to the
bottom twenty four vessels of the fishing
fleet with all their crews, and winding up
with the loss Of the vile du HaUre.-
This list, in addition TO the usual number
of smaller disasters, presents a terrible
record Of the dangers which those who
Ego down to the sea in ships" are called
upon 10 face in the pursuit Of their haz-
ardous calling.


In the Eastern States, a wide spread
financial crisis, which has wrought great
depression in business circles, and COM
PEELED many of the industries which gave
employment to the laboring CLASSES to
suspend, or contract operations, has been
the cause Of much privation and suffer
ing, which it is feared will be increased
by the seventies of Winter. In this pan
ic and its attendant results, the Pacific
Coast has had no share the diversified
industries Of this State have given re-
munerativo employment to all within her
borders, and with the exception of the
stoppage Of railroad building the inter-
ests of business here were unaffected by
the state Of affairs existing on the Allan
tic Slope. While we cannot withhold
the expression Of our sympathy ior the
suffering of our brethren at the Ea t, and
hope that the ever changing current Of
events will turn into a channel which
will revive business and give employ
ment TO the many willing hands now ly-
ing idle, it is still "A subject for congratu-
lation that its influences have not spread
across the mountains and created a simil-
ar state of affairs in our midst.


In the political world great change
has resulted, whether to amount to any
thing more than & mere expression of
popular will, or to be attended with the
great reforms and benefits anticipated re-
mains to be seen. In some Of the great
States party lines seem to have been, for
the time being, obliterated, and in the
choice Of general and local officers the
people have acted together, regardless Of
their political creeds in former years. To
some extent this movement entered into
the politics Of this State, and has achev-
an extraordinary triumph in the Senator
ial election just decided. The ostensibe
ground upon which this movement rests
is that neither of the old parties is trust
worthy and reliable for the people upon
the question of railway transportation,
that the working machinery of each is
controlled and used in the interest of the
railway companies and to the detriment
Of the people. If the new organization
succeeds in securing the enactment of
laws which will meet popular expecta-
ton, without doing positive injury to
present and prospective transportation fa-
facilities, it will have achieved a great
undertaking. The great danger an hon
est principle of political moment has to
encounter is, that it brings to its support
two classes Of politicians patriots and
demagogues-th one desirous of serving
the public interest, the other caring only
for his own. A party engineered by lead
ers Of the last named character, soon dis
appears from the field of politics. leaving
in its place an influence more potent
assumed to correct than if it had never
been ir existence.


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