New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-12-25

"when the force of moral opinion is rapidly in
creasing we have the precedence in the practice
and the defense of the equal rights of man." Ii
"eoual rights had not thus been sanctioned by
"moral opinion If right and wrong had Deen
Indifferent to us--if political inconsistency had
not been highly dstasteful to the American
mind, Human Slavery would have had irlght'
fully long lease of its noisome life, and we might
have repeated the old historical folly of homageto
democratic forms long after the democratic spirit
had been completely exhaled. It's easy for our
foreign critics to say that we are seeking merely
political power, but it would have been as just
to say the same thing of our Puritan Fathers
But our American indignation at the crime OF
Man. Owning has alone betrayed US into our
present condition. If we had acquiesced in the
equity of Slavery, there was unquestionably, for
a long period, money to be made BY acquies-
cence: it was because UnOn-Savers made out
50 good case, upon mere debit and credit prin-
ciples. that we consented so long to be partners
in fearful wrong, and permitted it to take oil
the religion out of our politics, and to transfer
the worst features Of our politics to our re-
ligon The struggle was hard one. We
were trained to the assiduous promotion of Ina
terial interests, and our modes Of thought led us
toput a high value upon palpableproduction; yet,
little by little, in the face Of temptation, We got
the better of our domestic devil; and we have
Disunion now solely and simply because we
would not admit the immortality OF Freedom.
We said that Democratic institutions, OF all
others secured best the happiness OF society.
The Shareholder could do nothing less than
plumply deny the truth Of the axiom. As we
stood then, we stand to-day. The Man-Owner
makes out pretty case-he talks of his rights
and his freedom-of the patriarchal beau
ties of Slavehoding, and of the mental
and physical happiness which it confers upon
the slave. Yet, when he has said all, nobody
believes him. and only the selfish and the timor-
Gus and the coarse and crucl-naturcd affect to
believe him. He has gone To war as the true
knight of a prostitute falsehood-his Bible failed
him-his ethnology proved of no avail-his
political economy. his paternal professions,
what were they worth more than his bullying
and clustering There was nothing for him TO
do but to fight us-nothiDS for US, since he was
in such martial mood, but 10 fight him. All
his blinded or interested Northern apologsts
were alienated by his unreasonable rapacity-
he threw away the Democratic party which he
might have kept together a little longer-he
discarded the alliance OF feeble minded folk who
wanted nothing but peacc-he insisted upon
Slavery as the prominent feature Of this Repub-
lie. Failing Of such recognition, he fell TO
blows We owe him, therefore, our hearty and
unrcseryed thanks for forcing us TO make good
our brave words--for calling upon us to submit
the ceasclcss dispute TO the wager of baitle-for
allowing us, in the lusty youth of the Republic
to defend with all our hearts and with all our
resources the political truths which are our
noblcst inheritance.
These considerations should make our Christ
mas fires the brighter, our Christmas wreaihs
the ereener our Christmas congratulations the
more cheerful. IL is a privilege TO live IN his
toric times when they arc illustrated by devo-
ton to the best interests Of our race. He whose
birth we celebrate to-day taught two great
truths especially, and not the least OF them was
that of Human Brotherhood. Since that time
history records no earthly war Of which this was
the yitalizng idea so absolutely ~ in this con-
test in which we are engaged. Our merrment
to-day may be subdued BY tender memories and
by pressing and present anxieties; but good
cause and good conscience are the parents OF
reasonable and aninating hopes. II is for M to
saw whether these dear children who to-day
cluster at our knees, and laugh out TO MS their
CHEEKY good wishes, shall have the best chances
of "A serene and useful life--shall have land to
love, and worthy of the love Of true men and
women. The noblest emotion Of patriotism, a.
poets and orators have thousand times told
US, is that which prompts us to work well IN our
day and generation, for the sake Of days which
have not yet dawned and Of generations yet un-
born. All the greatness and glory Of the primal
Christmas was in the worlds futurc-let the
prayers and aspirations Of this present festival
be full Of a redeemed and regencratcd future for
the land which We love so well
ucClRIIAN AND CAMPBELL.