Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-26
Christmas.

The season of general cheer and SOCIAL
mirth is again upon US with all its genial in
Auences. and VIC are called upon to tender
to our readers end friends, the salutations ap-
p~ropriate to the occasion. Christmas i now
one of our Oldest festivals, and almost alone
has maintained It's claims amid tie decline Of
holidays and the disuse Of commemorative
observance that has marked the mater slism
of the age. A favorite season of fellowship
generally. its observance has ever been car
nest and hearty in the land from which We
derive most of our customs and Institutions,
and its effects and traces are strongly mar
ked in the popular literature, as in the ira
ditions and maxims of the people.
The event which designated the day at
first as one Of special observance, Is indeed a
lesson suggestive in its teachings and all
comprehensive in its influences, and the sea-
son accordingly partakes Of a Catholicity and
wide reaching significance that cannot be
claimed by the peculiar epochs or memorable
days of any one people or nation. 1t is an
appeal at once strong and kindly to the COM
mon heart of humanity, and it cannot be
disregarded by any one who is not lost to
, every feeling of kith and kin, and does not
regard himself as an independent and isola-
ted being, mysteriously poised in a moral
vacuuna, that have no a~finities Of relation
ship and influence.
In our happy and favored section and par
~ticularly on our plantations, the Christmas is
4 ever an EZRA of good feeling" to which all
: are expected to contribute, and in which all
e accordingly participate. Young and old,
II bond and free-all ages, sexes and conditions
meet on a common ground, and the SqturnG-
# Tia of the old Romans are often reproduced
among us in their spirit and best effects, but
# under iudicious restraints and s~alutary reg
n. ~ulations.
pd The southern Stare indeed is most happily
enabled to enter with the fullest zest into the
en- spirit Of the holiday festivities to which his
i'll nature prompts him, and with him the en-.
mi ployment manifested is real and unaffected
nd No cares of business corrode his brain be
yond the negotiation of a sale for some nor
,er ton of his pecU!ium, or the collection of somt
es. arrears due for "a Christmas gift" The price
nut of stocks, the fluctuations of shares, tn,
es emergencies of trade and the thousand ne
la c~essities and incidents that will steal with
ion blighting effect even into the masters mos
ica- devoted hours OF ease and enjoyment, pas
the harmless over the slave. The song and tn
de- dance, and the merry laugh yelling up iron
the Utmost heart, are his, and his lot enable
ock him to comply literally and scrupulousl
yer with the Injunction take no thought for ii
morrow The rudy fire will glow chez
ingly around many a hospitable hearth stcI
in time honoied mansions, but the Christm;
fire will light up few happier faces than vi
e oc- be seen shining and happy by the iOwli
chimney of the negro.
The occasion, however, appeals to all
lada we have said, and the happy day viIl be &c
'nish brated by all as opportunity NAV allow
inclination may suggest. Cordially wishi
c de- for all such an observance of the day, AS "
renew and strengthen the heart to all &C
offices, and leave all happier and better,
com tender 10 friends and readers who have q.
funds cred with US before on like occasions of 90
them cheer a 'heaftg, merry. and hGgpy Chg.
them mas.