Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1865-12-25
DAILY COMMERCIAL,
BALTIM 0 r E, MD.
MONr.v ING. DEC. %, 1865.
FOR CHRISTIANS.

"peace on earth and good will to men," and
one so different in its many aspects from that
of a year ago, that the heart of the most care
less and thankless, ordinarily, must swell with
gratitude to the Almighty at the great and
auspicious change. No longer having the ma
tionality cursed with bloodshed and strife, one
portion bent on devastating the other in the
dire necessity Of bringing it to terms and
making it acknowledge the rule of a benefcent
Government, we have the spectacle now pre-
scented of great people, with their rulers,
doing what they can to renew fraternal rela-
tionships with each other, and in the main.
working as zealously to repair the evils of the
past, as short year ago they seemed eager to
infict them.
And yet, who to-day can realize the great
ness of that mighty armament which. as in a
dream, has suddenly passed away? Who can
think, now, of that wondrous spectacle, the
review and disarmament of the vast armies at
the Capital, except as of some mighty pageant.
dimly Swallowed centuries away on the pages
of history, to be the world wonder for ages
to come and in which we seemed scarcely
to have part. And yet the great actors in
this dramatic men whose footsteps shook
the world, as it were, startling all nations into
amazement at their earthquake tread are
amongst us to-day; they come and go before
our eyes, demonstrating the might of repub-
lican institutions and enlightened sentiment
in controlling fierce passions ambition and It's
whole terrible brood. which in the olden time
perpetuated wrongs and the evils of war in
definitely.
Looking upon all this, even but family
realizing it, what rich promise have we for
glorious future; and how eagerly, now that
the conflict is decided, should all labor for
the results of a true peace? Not originally
the assailant, the Government over all never
gave any cause in the outset to complain of
oppression, Of tyranny, whatever sections Or
States may have done. And yet, with its pre-
negatives denied, and It's existence threatened,
what had it, in the right of self preservation,
but to turn upon its assailants, to repel and
punish them IN riadicatiOn Of human progress
ITSELF and how should all, on reflection, be
glad that It's power was maintained, to the as
surance-as we may well hope-of peace for
centuries to come?
And regarding all this properly, contcmpla-
ting thoughtfully the bearing it has upon the
nations and the world future. who can have
patience with the petty squabbles of politi-
clans, of men who seem resolved to shut their
eyes not only to the magnitude of the conflict
Just closed, hut to its mighty consequences in
shaping the nation deSinies, its progress to
true greatness. The war ended, who in
his senses fears d repetition Of aught like
that we have experienced; who does not
feel and know that but a little time can
elapse, if true craftsmanship is permitted
full sway, before national pride, exultation al
the sense felt Of national greatness, will for
ever rid us of those petty sectional rivalries
and enmities which precipitated the nation
at last into an intestine war, and brought up
on it for the time, woes unutterable? Rising
TO the needs of the occasion, extending the
hand Of reconciliation to those who fought only
too well and long in wrong cause, let it be
the duty of all who feel that we are, indeed
a nationality once more, to forego once for ALL
the strfes and follies Of the past, and let all
who show purpose to continue the angry dis
sentions be frowned into obscurity and insig-
nificance, let not demagogues and fanatics be
allowed to longer trouble the nations peace.
And for the future of the nationalty-if we
have much still to cause anxiety and regret at
the want and suffering, yet upon us as the con
sequences of the great struggle, we have also
-, l. Al
country rich in natural resources and fairly
at peace, bravely resolved to speedily repair
the material waste so recently inflicted. not
year need elapse before we may see our old
prosperity measurably restored, so that an
other Christmas may behold the land in the
full enjoyment of blessings, such as even the
past, with all its greatness, never realized.
The terrible shadow that ever darkened our
horizon is removed; the future is bright with a
promise never given before. Favored with
those at the helm of State who we have faith
will shun no responsibility in controlling
the discordant elements of the hour, let it
be the duty of the patriotic and the friends of
real peace to support our rulers to the utter
most, let them feel that there is enlightened
public sentiment, which cannot fail them as a
sure reliance in what they may do to restore
the nationality.
Finally, let all join in thanks to the Great
Ruler of the Universe, that our severer trials
are drawing to a close, whilst we do not forget
those peculiarly made sufferers by the war.
Extending aid to the destitute, and insisting
upon justice and kindness to all, we must de-
monstrate to the world at large the fact-that
the lessons of the great conflict have not been
thrown away, that the nation is better and
wiser for the fiery ordeal through which it has
been called to pass. Profting thus, by what
has happened, the world of humanity will be
untold gamers by the trials and struggles we
have undergone; whilst we shall have gained
a place on the pages of history which will be
the admiration and the marvel of the good of
all time.
HE FALL OF APPLES, not from the trees, by the