The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-12-31
VOL. IX-NO. -.
Christmas Day.

OF all the truisms most frequently repeated
occurs the one of Christmas comes but once
ayear !" and when We take into considera-
ton the scant cause We but too often have
for congratuation on the occurrences and
experiences oftke past year, it is fortunate,
perhaps, that we are only called upon once
during the period, to pass mental review
of the last twelve months.
We are no pur,ans, and in these days OF
eypediency and greedy would willingly see
the old customs of our ancestors more fre-
quently kept up, tending as they do to bring
together all classes Of society, and for while
at least, to smother discomfort and forget
during one day, the carking cares Of life
We have not yet seen two scores of Christ
mas days, but what changes have taken
place, not only in our own circle, but in the
worlds face since then? Thousands Of miles
have been reclaimed from solitude and ma.
ture, and from bowling wildernesses have
been converted into smiling fields Of golden
grain and green pasture, willis. before the
rcsistless and untiriDg energy Of the Anglo
Saxon, the, native Of the plain and the for
est, like the terg nature. have retreated and
all but vanished before the might Of civi!i-
zation.
But il will not do to wander too far from
our subject, which is essentially domestic,
and that should transfuse into our mature
mind something like the dreams of our for.
mer days bringing back TO our recollection
the days of our youth, and the bills and
valleys in which, many a weary mile from
this our place Of sojourn, we saw the future
glowing with the rosy tints Of imagination,
and the dull leaden skies OF reality in
vested with the azure tnts Of hope. Since
that time the old have died, raven hair has
turned to grey. and our companions Of those
days are scattered over all countries from
the equator to the pole. Yet, OF all the
seasons that recall past events to the mind,
this is the one that should be less given up
to regret than any other, and although hard
times have come upon us, freezing up the
kindly sympathies Of man towards his broth
er. we trust that good and genial future is
in store for Us. and that ere another misfor.
time visits US, We may look back upon our
present trials with the satisfaction that the
shipwrecked mariner reaches friendly
shore with the increased pride Of having, by
his own valor and courag,, unassisted save
by a watchful Providence, conquered diff.
Guilty and gained strength in the contest.
We feel confident tha, ere the budding Of
the primrose,
'--thii comes before the swallow dares
and takes the winds OF March W ith beauty.
we shall be in healthier and more pros
porous condition than we have ever before
experienced.
To al our friends we tender, not the
compliments, but the best wishes OF the sea
son. For those little ones who, better
than oil the portions of Melea. can bring
back youth again To the old, we tender the
following spirited and appropriate lines to
their patron. SAINT NICHOLAS and for tbo-e
Of ma'urer years, who regard the day iu its
solemn as well as its holiday character, We
give the magnificent poem, entitled A
Christmas Lyric" from the pen Of an old
contributor to these columns. We are sure
our readers viii thank us for it's reproduc-
ton, both on account Of is intrinsic merit
and appropria.eDess to the day, bu, also in
compliment to tie eSceileu, lady who j. is
author