Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-12-25
OLYMPIA, SATURDAY MORNING, DEC. u, 1875.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
Hail, all hail the joyful morn!
Tell it forth from earth to heaven
That to us child is horn,
That to us son is given.
Angels bending from the sky,
Chanted at the wondrous birth;
"Glory be to God on high,
Peace-good-willt to man on earth,
Join we then our feeble lays
To the chorus of the sky;
And in songs of grateful praise
Glory give to God on high.
Christmas is the most cherished holt
day Of the year, and ushers in a season
of mirth and festivity which only ends
when the new year, with its petty cares
and sorrows has reduced the pulse to
;ts normal condition. The observance
of the anniversary of National 1ndepend-
ence may be accompanied by more noise
and martini display, but it does not
hold possession of the hearts of the peo-
nile as does this blessed holiday. The
patriotism displayed on the fourth OF
July, we consider when viewed in con-
nection with circumstances, rather an
unfair indication of the real love OF
country supposed to be enshrined IN each
breast. To use ahomely but expressive
phrase, +" 1t will not wash" The num-
Der of hands inside our Uncle Samuers
rockets, shows about the depth OF affec-
ton entertained by many wayword neph-
ews, and the present condition OF the
Washington Monument, after twenty
years rest, indicates i'll unmistakable
language the degree of love and respect
for the Father of his Country.
But there is no doubt of the SINGER
ity manifested on Christmas. 1t is a
season of giving and receiving, and in
Justice to errirg humanity, we must adj
init that at this time, there appears to
be as mnch pleasure in bestowing asln
being the recipient of tokens of affec-
ton. We all feel the impulse of true
philanthropy The, poor are not for
gotten. The hearts of those who suf-
fer habitual neglect are made glad.
The chain of friendship is FURNISHED
anew and every individual prepared to
enter upon the new year with better
and more just estimate of the reul
worth of his fellow man.
To childhood Christmas possesses a
peculiar charm. Its antiquity CON-
mands respect, and the ceremonies at
tending its commoration invests it with
a superstitious awe that adds q, zest to
the enjoyment. Who can forget the
futter of expectation which attended
the visits OF Santa Claus? Who the
delight, at the earliest peep of day.
when the stockings were brought forth,
to find that each had received precisely
the gifts they had set their hearts upon
Dear old Santa Claus, whit capa-
eiagS raonoTy Is had t. raraeccher The
precise wishes of his many millions OF
little friendsl AID what wealth OF af-
lection and what a length of purse, he
must have had to supply his ship-loads
of wares on each recurring anniversary o.
the day consecrated to his memory! He
is represented as old, but he has doubtless
discovered the fountain of perpetual
youth, for his joints are as supple and his
will as vigorous as when he climbed the
houso-top and descended the chimney
to bless the lives of our greatrandfather
Let us hope that to-day will be ,
Merry Christmas for all If any hungel
let us feed him, if he is respondent, LEI
us cheer him. Let US consecrate til,
day to high and holy purposes, that j
may remain green spot in the journe.
of life upon which the memory will de
light to linger.