The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-12-25

1t is now nearly seventy-two years since the
Federal Government, under which we live, was
organized, and every advent of the holy and fes-
tive season which warns mems hearts today, has
found us, in all that time, a hopeful, happy and
united people 1t is not that have been free from
some small share of national troubles and sorrows.
We have had our wars and rumors of wars; our
vigiiations of disease, adversely and suffering
Our own folies and the folly and perversity of
rulers have dealt with US in some Sort according
TO the usual lot of men and nations. in spite of
all these things, however, our course has been
pqrpetually onward, in public and individual
prosperity, and as each rolling year has brought
to US this day, most hallowed by the religion we
profess and most sacred 10 the love and charity
it teaches, we have all blessed it, with one voice.
together, as the children Of one joyous and undi-
vided household Sadly we realize, to-day, that
such is our fortune no longer. We are at peace and
can Join hands with the whole world of aliens and
strangers, but faces: IS brethren, are averted
from each other. The good will which has been
between us heretofore--the pledge Of our freedom
and prosperity, and the bond of our strength
now draws US towards each other no longer. We
have laid and are laying, in fraternal discord and
hate, the dark foundations of what may be fra
ternal strife. We may struggle-each with him
self-to forget these things for day. amid Christ
mas festivities and greetings and the Innocent
unconscious happiness Of the little ones around
our knees, but there is not a rooftree in the whole
land beneath which beats a true American heart
not temple where men worship, in the true
spirit of the faith that ASSEMBLIES them together
which will not be shrouded to-day with deep and
unwonted anxiety and gloom. From too many
among u.s. alas! the civil commissions Of the hour
have already swept away the hard-earned means
which would have enabled them TO bid
the genial season welcome; and thousands
upon thousands, whose daily bread comes only
with their daily toll, trembling at the threat
enings of the storm, whose first, faint breath
has been so full of desolation In the Name to
which the day is consecrated, let us pause before
We reap the whirlwind. If there be any thing in
the inspiration OF the time, which brings brethren
together and reconces enemies-which opens
mems hearts TO the sorrows and wants of the
needy and afflicted and teaches them 10 give
from their abundance, TO those who lack comfort
let that Christian and kindly spirit go abroad
and be alive among US, now if ever. AS men look
upon the old who are passing away, and yet
Iinger to bless the Christmas-east and its affec-
tons, let them think of the dust and ashes into
which they are converting the fruit which their
fathers toiled for them TO gather. Let them weigh
the gratitude they will themselves deserve from the
children they are fondling, if they do not make one
manly and downright effort to save the inheritance,
which is falling, perhaps forever, from their
hands. 1t may be- after all, that the days of the
Republic are numbered, but surely it is thing
too precious to be readily let die. 1t may be that
the future has sacrifices in store for US which pa
triotism and courage cannot avert but their bur
den, if come they must, will be lghtened, TO every
brave and upright heart, by the reflection that we
did our best to ward them off, from ourselves our
country and those who are most dear to u.s.
There is but one thing needful to the restoration
of p ace in all our borders, and that is-the will
to restore it. Upon those who having done
wrong, are magnanimous enough to right it, and
on those who, having suffered wrong, are magma
ninous enough to forgive it, shall be the blessings
ofto-day's glad tidings-"On earth, peace; good
twill toward men!'