The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-12-25
\ CHI A RI "a S q ON
TUESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER A5 1881
.CHRLSTMAS,

| 4
Another year has passed around again the
lest1'e season IS upon US, when business, poll
tlcs and oil the more serious affairs of life are
Tor q time in allegiance, and give way to higher
aims and holier thoughts and purposes Christ
mas the annual season Of rejoicing, has again
visited US, we behold the present and inscns
oiy institute comparisons with the past But
this IS no season for rejoicing Things are not
what they might have been or even as they
were, but let US thank God that they are as well
as they are We arc, very many of US, in strait
ened circumstances, bercft of those we loved
some of US have had to leave the old homestead,
tne place where we were born, where our
children saw the light; the old hearth where
reposed the sacred memories Of the past, and
around which were clustered the hopes Of the
the future. Chill penury our present posses
sion, and dreary, joyless future in prospect
we have seen many Of our friends, formerly
living IN afauence, reduced within the past two
years to destltution and bcggary But let us
not despair. Rather let US thank God and take
courage; thank Him for all the merc;,s lie has
| vouchsafed to US, and take the present as q
happy augury for the future.
We have much to be grateful for The past
season was looked forward to with fear and
trembling, and sickly summer predicted by
some Of our best and most experienced physi-
clans. Cholera and yellow fever both were
confidently expected Yet we have been spared
There was sickness indeed, but Of very mild
character. There we're also the most gloomy
anticipations in reference to the scantiness Of
the growing crop. The harvest was not plenti-
| tul, but much better than had been counted
upon
In the present uncertain and highly unsatis-
factory state Of public affairs it was expected
that business would suffer corresponding de-
preston, and that our city and State would not
soon recover from the torpor this magic spell
had cast upon them. In this also we have been
agreeably disappointed. Our people have at
last learned to wait patiently for political re-
constructions; have surveyed the wrecks and
runs OF their fortunes, and gone to work in
earnest like sober, practical, business men to
make the most Of what was left, and retrieve
their losses as best they could. 1t has been
our good fortune, in consequence, orecord pro
gress and improvements from time to time Our
ing. Sackcloth and ashes are giving way be-
tore handsome new iron front storehouses and
substantial cobble stone pavements.
Our public buildings have been reftted; our
institutions of learning are once more in opera
ton; our charity foundations again subserve
their noble purpose; the churches are filed
with worshippers; our merchants, bankers and
artizans all have. their hands full, have not
even time to stop to think that we are not vet
IN the Union. Society has not yet recovered
Its former tone, gay and festive gatherings are
still the exception but there are signs Of recoy-
cry. The ball is moving, and ere long, We
dare say, viii bring things to their old standard
These are few Of the thousands of blessings
we are enjoying, and wherefor we should be
thankful. And in no way can we testify our
gratitude to God so well for his mercies to-
ward us as by extending these same mercies to
our fellow-men, by feeding the hungry, cloth
ing the naked, giving shelter to the houseless,
mlnistering to the sick, and relieving the dis
tressed Of every character. We need not tell
our readers that there are many in our midst
who are sorely in need Of such assistance
There are many organizations in the CITY, as
| "CAA Do private persons, VINO would be glad to
tbecome the almoners Of any one not himself
able to dispense his charity. The Aims House
noble municipal charity, would be a suitable
place to distribute clothing We have no an
thority for making this statement, but arc salts
fed that donations would be gratefully receiv-
cd. Let no one say that he or she is unable to
give; we all can do something; the widow gave
her two mites and has her reward The Saw
Jour does not forget even the cup Of cold water
rendered to one Of the disciples.
After being thus engaged in going about and
doing good, We shall be prepared to enjoy the
amenities Of the season. merry Christmas,
which y TIE n NEWS cordially wishes to all its
friends and readers. A!
INTERESTING INC LEGAL QuEsr1oN.-Judge MERE
DrrH has just decided . case Of much interest 10
many fdnciaries in Virginia, and for their benefit
4 we publish the following correct abstract Of the
facts and the decision on them, The case was