Daily national Republican., 1865-12-26
LOCAL ~ ID w y.

HosPIrABLE FESTIVAL AT A HOSPITAL
Yesterday the ladies Of the National Union Re
lief Association were the means Of giving to the
freedmen Of this city the merrest Christmas they
have enjoyed for years. A few Of its numbers
did violence to their feelings OF Independence,
and got subscriptions Of upwards OF $500, which
was expended fer such luNuries as the hospital
did not afford. Capt Townsend aud DR.. Glen =
Mug, on duty there, gave for the purpose the
Government rations for the day, making in all
an ample supply for the six hundred lame, halt
blind, aud little people stopping at the hospital
Chickens and turkies, pies and cakes, good feel
ing and Eociality between blacks and whites,
wero promiscuous, without regard to color or
caste.
After dinner, and a song by the children, Gen.
Howard addressed them. He wished them all a
merry Christmas, which compliment they re
turned with a will that would starlle our un-
demonstratiyo Anglo Saxon blood.
He spoke half an hour, saying they must learn
to care for themselves, and then help to care fol
their helpless fellows; to not only be kind 70
each other, but sympathize aud share in each
others trials to be industv.ous; and above all,
through Divine aid, to be virtuous and independ- :
ent that he would sink under his own accumu .
lated responsibilities did he not ask heavenly
aid aud that Christ was for the reds blue green,
black, or any other colored man, all the same
There were now forty Zone schools and an efil
ciept corps Of teachers for freedmen in this citys
These chances for improvement would soon en- g.
able him to at least crowd his more favored rival.
The audience applauded the General voclfer-
ously, and seemed to fully comprehend his re
marks, though some large truths were presented
in them.
A class Of ''little folks" under the guidance
of Mr.. Tilton, sang "Marching Along" and
"Rally Round the Flag" with much music, and
enearly as much noise as music. They reflected
gc edit on their irinstructOr however, and acquitted
themselves creditably.
MIR. Shipherd, secretary of American Freed
mau 8 Aid Society, was then called for.
He acknowledged considerable fright at the
many sparkling eyes turned upon him, but on
being assured no harm was intended him, he
proceeded very Interestingly. His Society ex :.
pends now A., 800 daily, and during the coInlug
year will probably eXpend o., ,0O0,OOO In advan
cling the cause Of the freedman. The freedman
will not fail II ho be industrious Success to an
orderly, industrious mau is as easy as rolling
down hill.
Mr.. Hickman (colored) said he bad been sold
six times, once at price ofsl 800. His property
was now worth 5000, and all got by hard
knocks and without aid.
The company directed by Captain Townsend
then marched out very orderly; after which the
association, teachers and guests, sat down to a
table prepared for them. Some toasts were then
drunk-with nothing stronger than coffee, how
ever-aud then all went away, happy and do
termlned to aid the freedmen to reap u glorious
harvest from the seed sown In this prepitioui
spring OF his year Of jubilee. General Howard
promised, II the freedmen showed themselves
true men, they should be given diuner on many
u Christmas to come. The affair was an entire
success, and reflects great credit the energetic
ladies executing It, W. q. s.