National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1872-12-25

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,TERRY CHRISTMAS.
We Americans are reproached with having
t,o few HOLIDAYS. There may be come truth
in the accusation, but, after oil, perhaps that
is the very reason why we priEs 80 highly
those which we possess. Thanksgiving day
Christmas, New Years, and the Fourth OF
,Iulv all stand prominently forth like so many
temples Of happy restin the years. long waste
of care and toll The anticipation, enjoy
rnent and memory Of them are like the
shadow Of a great rock In weary land"
But good old Christmas will ever be king Of
them all. .,.., ...... -
There arc a thousand reasons why II should
be so. Other festivals derive their chief i'm
portance from the issue Of political contests,
from the differences OF religious faith, or FROM
the rise Of some modern social custom. In
the very nature Of things they arc, more OF
less sectional or seetarlAn often arOuslnR
feelings that had better be buried forever,
oftener still awaking memories that have little
10 do with 10y. Even Thanksgiving recalls
chilling visions Of the puritanical rule Even
The unfading flowers Of independence were
dIpped in kindred blood. Christmas alone
goes back for It's warrant TO the manger Of
Bethlehem. Christmas alone bears for lts
motto the song Of the angels, peace on earth
aud good will toward men,"
II strikes deeper than the roots of all exist
ing dlyIslons-natlonal political, or religious,
IL stirs the very fountain head Of an that Il
divine in man; 1t comes sweeping down to us,
like some broad river, with the garlands Of
every age and Of every land floating upon It.
bosom. Nation after nation, century after
century, has devised Its own bright offering
Of stately ceremonial, magnificent display,
merry rustic game, or customs that blossom
only in the trcside glow, and we are the heir,
Of them all. True, many Of these have now
become mere matters Of tradition or anti.
quarian research; but they have left US theIl
spirit and essence. tits tho spirit Of rejoicing
,fbrothcrhood, Of cordial llborality-the very
essence Of the Christian religion itself.
No better proof Of this festivals universe
popularity could be desired than the qualn
childish mythology that long ago grow up t
It, mythology which is the most thorough,
genial and benehcient Of any that morta
mind ever devised. Where will you find jol
Iier old fellows than Kris Kringle and SAINT,
Claus?
But one attempt has ever been made To su
persede il, and that met with utter failure
Our Puritan forefathers sought to crow
Thanksgiving day into Its vacant seat. The
even treated the observance OF our Saviour
birthday o. q crime and compelled brigh
faces 10 make way for long pray ers, and sui
stituted dreary homilies for merry game
But this unnatural repression could not an
did not endure. The first love of the poop
was their last. To-day In no part of OF
country Is the holiday season more thorough
" enjoyed than in the very section whore u
Muyaower discharged her cargo and the BIZ
laws relgued supreme.
Well, indeed, is 1t for our national pro
pcrity that that victory was won. There CT
nc no question that our leading fault as
people lies in the too eager pursuit OF veal
to tho exclusion Of more generous motive
Tho charge Is continually, made by foreil
critics, and even vanity cannot deny IN
where there is so much smoke there mu
be some fire." Such being the case one "a
not easily ovorrate the value Of festly
which has been associated for six centuri
with acts Of unselnsh liberality, and 4
nearly nineteen with the hollest mysteries
religion.
II Is worthy OF remark that the three for
most nations In the world are the three viii,
have most completely carried Christmas In
their social life. Germany, England al
their ulfspring-our own land-are the realI
that Kaiser Santa Claus sways, and tn,
arc now the vanguard Of the worlds pr
grCss, both In theoretical learning and mat
rial Improvement. 1t may be said that tn
Is a mere accidental coincidence. Posslbl.
but Of any rate 1t is not strange that the n
ton which has the happiest homes shon
uOsscss also the moAl lndomitable DatrlotisI
~, - - - a. ~. =, :
anu 'hh' lue Peopie VIM PeIlOuiSany SUI
their llbeFallty Of heart should also pro
thsir hhsraIItv NJ mind A gepuips AMI