Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-12-23

WORCESTER, Dec. p.
Mr.. Editor Allow one interested in the subject
TO draw the attention of those concerned to the eel
ebraton of the festival of Christmas, now approach.
ing If there be time in all time wherein every
heart should rejoice, and a day among all days in
the year when man may forget his sorrow, and lay
down his burden for rest, that lime and day is
surely Christmas.
We have our national holidays. and may their
celebration never cease But countries and nations
that do not acknowledge III, giyer oil good as the
source and fountain ofther prosperity, must soon
learn a lesson of humility when left to their own
counsel and strength. Tiue and lasting success
must be founded on something more than human
arms or human intellect Ii it be wise and meet
that every year in our New England a day be set
apart wherein 20 thank God for his iayors-if this,
feast of modern institution and of local interest
only, be grateful and welcome day, how much
more day commemorative Of event intel estng
the world; day whose celebration has always been
observed in every country and cline where christi
allty has been introduced so much so as to be al
mos Characteristic of christian country.
make these observations from the fact that in
some OF our neghboIing mills and factories aboris
not suspended ON that day. Wheels spinning,
and machinery humming and driving, and no rest,
no cessation for those who attend. speak of those
who must work-who although earnestly desiring it
are refused permission to absent themselves. Many
wish TO assist At the religious services held that
day, but are told they cannot leave without risk Of
losing their situations write of no abstract cases
possible contingencies but of real facts thai have
happened in years past regularly Christmas
time, and will happen again this year. unless
prevail upon those who have the power. to order
otherwise 1t is a hard thing for u poor factory
| IN.
that she must work on such n day-that she may
hear the church bells ringing, and see the old and
the young pouring by, with the joy of Il cir hearts
benming their countenanccs, while for herselfit
is like any other day ofthe year-dusty and greasy
and noisy with the tear and rattle of the works
around her.
Labor on such day is neither happy for the en-
ployor the employed; it is done against the
will, it is simply drudgery. What if the occasion
be abused by cessation OF labor. Abuse cannot
| condemn the How many of Gods blessings
| that pcrpetuay abused-but they cease not
| Why should the innocent be punished for the gull
| ty, God would have spared the whole city OF
] Sodom rather than punish Eve just and innocent
men by destroying il. There's not a rain storm that
| fertizes the earth without hundreds through their
own mprudencc receiving the seeds of death there
irOmye the rain still comes in its own good time;
otherwise the wicked by of their wickedness
would triumph over the good, and the temperate
man suffer for the excuses of his neighbOr. AS
well might the yirtuous give Themselves up to temp.
tation far this world is concerned as to be
punished in the same measure of severity with those
who never resisted. Let Christmas be DAY happy
for all. Let it be another day of repose in many
ones weary pilgrimage-at least let there be no
compulsory labor 1t is legal holiday-our city
brethren make it a day of relaxation-why should
not our country folk? 1t is day that to every one
should be made joyful in the anticipation and pleas.
ant in the remembrance EW
FITCHBURG-Col. Craw ford, and also Lieutenant
Grid of this city, addressed a large war meeting in
Fitchburg CD Monday evening.
ATRoL.-Lieutenant Colonel George II. Hoyt,
formerly OF Athol, defended the rights Of colored
men" in most eloquent and patriotic speech, at
Leavenworth, Kansas, on Friday evening" Noyem-
Der 9th.