The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-25
Christmas and Iss Teachings.

Chrlstmas and Iss Teachings.
Another year has rolled swiftly away since
We last had the pleasure to offer our Christmas
greetings to the readers Of the HERALD, where
soever dispersed. The great Christian holiday
the time fixed as the anniversary of the rising
Of the star Of Bethlehem, the coming of the
Prince of Peace, the dawning of the light Of
the world, the birthday of the Redeemer, and
the foundation of The church which is built upon
rock, and cemented with the blood of the saints,
again recurs, and with il a train Of reflections
Of serious though hopeful character.
We do not go so far as some worthy people
who claim that, in view Of the political distur-
Dances which now agitate the country, we
have no cause for Christmas merry markings.
We, in common with all Christendom owe all
hat We have and all that we are to the dispen-
alton Of the Rev Testament. With oil its
aults, the Roman Church has been the most
powerful agent of human progress that the
world has yet seen. During more than twelve
centuries the churchmen occupied the place
now held by the free press.
The spirit Of the Christian religion is the
spirit of civilization. When the priest betrays
his trust a. he does very often in these latter
days and relapses into fanaticism, he takes
step backwards towards heathenism, and its
logical effect, barbarism. History however,
informs us that during the early days of the
Church, and even after the ecclesastics had
been called to the cabinets Of the kings, the
subject frequently owed his preservation from
the effects Of the blind fury of besotted
prince to the interference of priest, whose
gown and crucifix represented far greater
power than the kingly sceptre or the imperial
crown. A priest, Armand de Richelieu, re-
created France, and everywhere the spirit of the
Christian church-Roman, Anglican and Re-
fcrmed-promoted the progress of useful re-
forms, and tended to the development Of the
ideas by which the world L. now 60
verned This work, 30 worthily begun
by the fathers of the Church, has
been carried out by the press, and by men like
Cromwell, Washington, Napoleon and Carl
baldi-men who sprang directly from the body
Of the people Look at Europe to-day. The
people are almost entirely free from the curse
# f,udal vassalage. The kings hold their
hrones only because the popular voice is In
avor of their so doing. The bayonet is the
,condery power-the pen stands first and fore
ost Tho Roman Church is ostensibly OPP
rosed to his grand reformation; but, so far as
is temporal ro.er is concerned, the Roman
lureh is already nullity. One year ago
today Italy was hound in chains. True the
Ausirians haG been beaten in the North, and
he liberal cause had received great impetus
from the aid Of the French Emperor. But the
Italians had still great work before them,
and to accomplish unity Of action was the Arst
ling to be considered.
The want Of this grand desideratum had
placed the several States at the mercy Of
usurJers and tyrants. The moment that the
Italian people united in an effort against
he dcspots their thrones tottered; when
Garibaldi appeared as the leader of the move
lncnt they fell. And now we find Piedmont,
L,mbardy, the Duchies, Naples and Sicily
anitcd under q liberal constitutional govern
ncnt. To-day the most grateful Of Christmas
n,htms will 60 up from the hearts Of the vic
ms Of Bcnbas cruelty. II we look at the
ther European States we shall find that the
movements OF TIE Italians have not been with
,ut their effect upon them. The Emperor OF
he French grants, without even being asked
or il, the most important concession 10 the
friends Of free discussion, and evinces dispo-
ition to give liberty to the press. In England
he great journal has come 10 be q recognized
power in the rsalm. Through Its criticisms the
minister appeals directly TO the people; and In
ruth the government Of all Europe IL now APP
proximatinr tie purely mental and philosophi-
al standard which III. ancieRts dreamed of,
hut never accomplished.
Without doubt, we Of the United States
lave had much to do with these reforms.
Tie example OF great people, made
mp from all the European nationali-
ties, governing themselves, preserving peace
and order by voluntary obedience TO
law, going through at stated intervals q
harmless political revolution, and preserving
unshaken the foundations Of popular liberty,
could not fail 10 tell upon the old systems.
And the effect Of the failure Of our institutions,
before they have had fair trial, would retard
he cause VI pop lar liberty 10 much greater
degree than their apparent prosperity has ad-
varced Il.
II has sceaed to us that this anniversary
lie birth OF Him whose mission was one Of
peace on earth, good will to men," Is one
when men Of all sections should calmly con-
sider these things; when the voices Of the
leaders Of the pcople-their political and spi-
ritual cu;des-- stculd be raised; when cencllis.
Ion. unity ami'y and mutual concessios
LIQUID be urged with all the energy and
ibility that men have been gifted with
IN this Christmas morning we hni
hat these States are surrounded with
perils ns terrible as they are unprecedented.
The good chip Of the State Is rushing madly to-
wards the breakers Of disunion the pilot is no
longer able 70 steer biz course; already one
plank has started; but, thank God, the others