New-York tribune., 1866-12-25
CHRISTMAS,
q" Beloh,' wisconsin, Dec.

CHRISTMAS,
This Christmas morning comes to us with moro
than usual ioy and the world may feel the happiness
of peace reigning over all its kngdoms-poace and
goodwill TO men. When we last celebrated the
feast Of the Divine Nativity, clouds OF war
darkened the earth Over America they were break
ing, over Europe they were gathering, and many
homes were saddened by memories Of bloody deeds
that had been done, or anxious in anticipation Of
bloody deeds to be done. The guns Of war no longer
sound in our land but if we have not Ihad Richmond,
Europe has had Sadowa, and many Ia Christmas
dinner on the Rhine will be sad to-day with memories
of the bue-eyed far-haired brother who lies maneled
and unknown in the channelcd fields ofBohemia Even
Europe ispeace Bismarck may hear the To Deum
without concerning himself as to the next bulletin
from Saxony. Napoleon may listen to the Gloria IN
Excelss in the Cathedral of Our Lady without an
emotion, except what may be suggested by Mexico
Even from Mexico he can have little to annoy him,
since Mr.. Seward has charged himself with protecting
the eagles Of the Empire Russia Is busy with we'd
ding revels. England, in the throes OF Reform
danglos hideous Jamaica before the eyes OF john
Bright and Ireland, and takes Eer plum-pudding not
without wrath and threatening. The Pope will walt
the incense before the altar where Peter supposed
to have kne and give tho blessing Of Peter to thou
sands of Romans who most probably are preparing
30 draw swords upon His Holiness the moment tho
signal is given at Florence "Pa4 DOmin sit semper
yobiscum" Amen, your Holiness and also with the
spirit of the good King Victor whose sceper We hope
TO kiss on the Qurinal next Christmas morning.
In our land we have peace if not altogether rest.
my ( Inn iY.
ners without drcading CLickamauga or Frcdercksi
burg. Upon last Christmas Day we thanked the Lord
that the vaor four soldiers had destroyed Rebellion
Today we thank Him that the virtue of our peopp
has destroyed ar Administration which attempted 10
surrender the results Of that yaor to tho spiut oil
Slavery. We have escaped from peril5 as vast az
those which oyershadowed the nation when DAVIS
ruled In Richmond These porls have been aveFted'
and Mr. johnson is as helpless to-day as James 'Ae
Second when William rested his sword on the ROCKS
of Torquay. We can think Of nothing more comfort
ing for Christmas morning meditation than TINS
great political triumph, especially as 1t brings hope 70
millions to whom hope has been denied for many
generations Let US DO resolutc to do justice to tho
race which war has made free, and which only asks
opportunity. What Is peace 10 Us without good VIII
10 our brothers and what right have we to come into
Gods presence aud rejoice over his many blessings
while millions Of Others, degraded and oppressed by
our crimes ore under grievous yokel For while re-
signing the protcction-the bauacoon and barn-yard
protection Of fSlavory-which meant at least raimont
aud shelter aud much royelry on Christmas, they are
prevented from protecting themselves from going IN
restrained to their destiny. We thanked God that he
had given Us strength to accomplish Emancipation
upon last Christmas Bay. Let Us so act that we may
thank Him upon the next that VIC have accomplished
Justice.
And yet to come from these concerns to Others
more personal and domestic, this Christmas Day is
one of peace and VIC trust that peace VIII rest upon
ALL There is nothing moro beautiful than tho homo
life that Christmas develops; the outcroppng Of all
that is good within us-charity and patience. Then it
seems truly as great thinker expresses it, as if tho
world were bathed with love 0s with q fine ether.
How absolute manhood becomes how little re-
mains Of Caste and Sham and Prejudice and Poy-
ertyl Thoro is as much 10y in the hoyel as in
the palace, as much love over the coarse pud-
ding, not rich in plums but wealthy with molasses,
and the one poor bird whose years might have
earned q better fate, as over tho daintiest BAN
quet that wealth and taste can provide. On this
day Love Is one with Humanity. The very sadness
that might DO ours is forgotten in tho universal joy.
Men may mourn for the fair bgOws that may never
more be kissed women may weep for men who sail
upon the seas. There may be those whom fato
has covered with peculiar sorrow, who wait
in patience, and in the burning GOALS pictures of
life that is TO come; wifeness and loving hands,
and children rising to call them blessedthe conse-
Grafton and sacrament Of humanity--beyond and
above ALL as O crown and sweet possession. To these
to every ono, this Christmas comes with rare
fulness, and tenderness, and strength.
II is not for us TO divine what message this Christ
mas will bring to overy heart We can send but one
We wish all blessings and peace-a .ChrStmas tree.
as rich with treasure as palacen the Arabian Nghts
for every wondering wdo-eyed chid--a Christmas
tree heavy with opportunities and purposes and duties
we.p performed, for every citizen-a Christmas tree
Of comfort land ipeace and charity for every woman
in tbs land. These are possibly vague wshes-moro
weA of this season Of pleasant word5-extravagan
expressed II is difficult to carol when all the world
is Ginning. What we want to say in our plain
homely way is, that we wish good to all-eyery joy
that this too barren world can give-not only on this
hallowed and gracious Christmas Day, but on this
day coming for many, many years.
We have already had something to say Of that gen.