Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-12-24
COMMUNICATED.

the Governor cf this Commonwealth Tor not
recommending by proclamation the observance
of the late Thanksgiving Day. Ii these strlc-
lures did not originate 10 malice, they perhaps
arose from ignorance Of the fact that our great
day IS Christmas, after the cx'
ample of our Euglsh ancestors. Indeed Christ
mas is, and for centuries has been, the leading
festival of all Christcndom, aud We trust that
the time will never come when 1t shall be sub
stituted by any modern puritan appointment.
The former Puritans always had special spite
against Christmas As early as the reign of
Elizabeth the PuritaDs Fitted up their testi-
mony" against the pageantries OF Christmas
tide. O0 the disorganizalion OF society which
attended the civil wars 10 England, Old Christ
mas like to have persisted. In l647 the Parish
officers were forbidden BY heavy penalties from
decking churches and having Divine service on
Christmas morning; and the observance Of
this and other holidays, was, in the same year,
formally abolished by the Puritan Parliament.
This was SO resented by the people that ipsur'
rec.ions g4inst it took place in Canterbury
and other places, ard many sharp squibs were
directed against the Round.heads, Among
these vas curious tract entitled "a Hue and
Cry after Christmas printed by Simon Minced
Pie, for Cissiy Plum Porridge, in Mustard
Alley. 10.
In 1862 another act OF Parliament prohibit
cd the observance of Christmas. This brought
out virGieation Of Christmas, in which the
old gentleman complains bitterly of the way 10
which he was used, ard concludes, welcome or
not welcome, az come
On the return Of the Cavaliers to power,
Christmas was revived, but not with It's old
splendor. A Historian has some remarks upon
it, which are so applicable TO our days that l
quote the substance Of them. The troubles out
of which the country had just emerged, had
made such changes ia society that there was
but little heart for the merry dologs OF yore.
Estates had passed into new hands, and the
ties between the ancient families and the ten
ants Of the soil, had been rudely severed and
friends who had met from childhood, around
the christmas fire, were scattered by the chances
OF war Men rooted out Of their ancestral pos
sessions, they became hangers on n0ou! Court,
and from country gentlemen became men
OF the town. There arc few Of the couscquen
ces OF civil war more lamontable than the dis
turbancc OF the social arrangements. 1t Is i'm
possible that customs long identified with the
feelings, should perish without the affections
themselves suffering serious injury.
Wise and beautiful is any custom which sets
up ralIying place Tor the carly affections and
reawakens the sacred synpalhies of youth,
which from that we'll head OF purity and
peace, sends forth stream of living waters
along the wastes of after years; which makes
of that spring tim. of The heart IL reservoir Of
,,-.- .-L;oh ~ hnnrs nt snrrow If ran re-
turn for Joy, and in years Of guilt for regenera.
ton. But how greatly is the wisdom OF this
arrangement Increased by the sacred scenes in
which it is placed. Under the sanctions OF re-
ligion, the covenants of lie heart arc renewed.
Upon the Affairs OF faith the laupsot the Spirit
arc rekindlcd. The sons Of earth seem to
have met together@t the sound of the glad
tilings of the season, 10 refresh themselves tor
the Heaven which those tdings proclaim. in
many peaceful spot and lovely home,
With ioy unfoigned brothers and sisters meet,
And each for others welfare kindly splers.
The services of the church (says Washington
Irvirg) about this season ere extremely tender
and imposing. They dwell on the beautl-
full story of the origin of our faith, add the
festival scenes which accompanied that an
nouncement. They greatly increase in iervor
and pathos during Advent, until they break
forth in luli jubilee on the morning that brought
peace and good will to men.
Let US then cling to Christmas and let not
the deluge which has passed over and swept
away so many Of the old land marks, carry OFT
this TOO. For not only is it the Anniversary
of our Saviour BIRTH, but it is irauGht With
holy and beautiful associations and blessed
memories which we should be 10th to lose.
Lin on amsbile
Malris ct csculs
Domum, dulce domum.
Alas for US, that We are 90 longer young.
Whose breast like echo's haunted hall
Is nlleQ Win murlnurS OF Lne past,
Ere yet its gold was dim and all
lis pleasant things laid waste,
From whose sweet windows never moro
Shall look the sunny soul of yore.
CULPEPER.
Amnesty.
Daring the debate in the House of Reprcsen-
tatives upon the Amnesty question, on Thurs
day last, Mr.. Booker said; Now, sir, my col
league (Mr. porter) seems to think that white
loyal mcn arc not safe in Virginia. | beg leave
most respectfully to differ in opinion with my
colleague
Mr.. Mckenzie They are not though to be
resncctab,e however let mo say to nv col.