Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1865-12-23
A Christmas Greeting.

'Tis with feelings OF pleasure, mingled
with sadness, that we send forth a Christmas
greeting to our friends and patrons. Five
long weary sad years have elapsed, since we
last had an opportunity of wishing you
"Merry Christmas a and Oh ! how many and
sad changes have taken place in that time !!
Years of trial and of suffering SO terrible that
we seem to have been awakened from
frightful dream and found it reality. War,
bloody war, has swept over our fair land like
bosom of destruction, and in one portion Of it
has destroyed the fairest cities and villages,
and naught but charred and .blackened ruins
mark where they stood laid waste the coun-
try and burned dwellings SO that wide COM
mons now appear where cultivated fields and
well fenced farms and handsome buildings for
merly met the eye but let these recollections
be enyeloped in the folds Of oblivion, if posi-
BILE, and let the mantle of charity be thrown
over the occasion that called them forth. Our
duty is with the present, the living Present
Let the dead Past bury the dead. We are once
more united people, end we trust will soon
be happy a-d rcsperous one, but it cannot
be done by ordinations and persec utions.
There must be credit given for honest opin-
ions and honorable intentions. Sincerity in
their actioGs and honesty of purpose have
ever been the characteristics Of Yirglnians,
and they cannot quietly sit down and see their
dearest rights snatched from them by the hand
VI OPP preston, and their motives impugned by
those W no cannot show a nobler aim or mag
unanimous spirit.
Christmas is coming Already its footsteps
are seen approaching in the distance, and its
voice is heard in the whistling wind bringing
blessings for the needy, whispering pity for
the vanquished forgiveness Of wrongs, mercy
10 the fallen, and crying "Peace on earth
and good will to all men," Twill soon be
here. Our young folks are even now looking
for it, st. Nicholas is getting ready his sleigh
and ponies TO pay lis annual visit The stock
lngs are hanging by the u.antel's side, with
W dc tops, 10 Catch the toys, nuts, candies,
SC. May they not be disappointed. May
their young hearts be more made glad a.
oi old, when peace and pIen!! reigned al many
a board. where sadness and want now have u
place.
| Eighteen hundred and sixty five will soon
be uo mole. A few Gats n.r aud il " III Le
gone llh all It's sorrows, Trials, lamentations
and woes. May we never pass through such
another. Let il die i'll peace, as We have seen
an thd Of Ike cn!l Mar, ana have seen The
torch queLched, silent armies d!sbanded
friends aud brothers meet again, and families
long separated reunited around The festai
boaiG. Eur lhis, lei US be glad aud rejoice,
but let there be no drunken reyeIry or I'M
meaning mirth. Let our joys be tempered
with rs, aud let US reiolce as having hope
III the future. Christmas comes but once Il
year, aid his year w Monday, AID an Old
story says
"lf Christmas day on Monday be,
greater " ntCI ti.at car you'll SEE,
Anu ulI Of winds buth loud and shrlll
But III tue supiu4er, truth 10 sell,
Stern wines shall there lie, and strong,
Fall Y! ienpes.s lasting long j
While battles, they shall multiply,
And great plenty Of beasts Shall die"
We trust The prophecy Will not brighten any
one, but hope or readers, patrons and !rie lids
may never lear oi battles again, aud may 1--we
long to ENJOY the blessing. Of peace and share
the glories OF our C Common country. We send
our merry greeting TO all who have not forgot
ten us III tie long interim between our last
salutatlon and this.