The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-25
TILDEN FOR PRECEDENT.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

hEaisTERextend ITS greeting of "Merry
Christmas" to all its readers and pa.
irons. Throughout all the Christian
world, this day will be observed by young
and old, in manner becoming the cele.
brstion of the advent upon the earth of
that era of "peace and good will" as an
nounced by the song of the angel choir.
Let everybody be glad, even those upon
whom fall the heavy responsibilities of
society, who may be somewhat weary
with the jubllant restlessness of the little
people over whom they have to keep
guard. Even their wesriness may
be considered the price they
pay for the real satisfac-
tioA they derive from beholding the joy.
Gus sportiveness of youth. 1t reminds
them of their own early career, and
what is more pleasant to advanced life
than the delicious recollections of early
days? So let us all be young again; let
us be big grown up boys and girls, so
that the day may have its pleasures for
all. The happy combination OF pleasure
and pety brings out our humanity IN
two of its most admirable phases. One
of the broadest distinctions between man
and unreasoning animals is, that man
laughs and other animals never. The
laugh, the good humor and the cheerful
ness which often come with reinforce
ment of fortitude are essentially human
virtues, and in no phase of sweet piety ls
it more lovely than when attended with
cheerfulness cheerfulness which is
inspired by purity of heart and the
faithful hope which wreathes the face
with the golden smile of serenity. To-
| day many gifts will be presented as
Christmas tokens of affection to those
who are near and dear to us. Fathers
will be happy in the thought that, des-
pite the hardness of the times, they have
it in their power to add something to the
happiness of the good wife and the ex-
pectant little ones at home, on the sacred
anniversary that draws together in sym
patby the whole Christian world. Happy
mothers have been excitedly and Inyster-
lously busy in smuggling away little par
GELS in stockings and pockets, or giving
strict directions as to cunning modes OF
secret delivery at the house. Bright
eyed girls are fitting hither and thither
with an assumption of indifference, yet
the self-convicting blush tells that smok-
ing caps, cigar stands or pocket match
boxes have found their way into
the possession OF others. Young men
who for the past two weeks have bee u
engaged in mentally calculating the
exact condition of their pocket books,
bavs transferred rings or other similar
triAes to more delicate hands than their
own. Glowing, joyous, rosy little faces,
have at the earliest light of the morning,
through the aid of tlp-toes, been peeplng
into well-flled stockings and devoutly
thanking SANTA CLAUS for remember
;no the children. Our streets to day Will
be filed with bustling crowd, with over
coats, furs aud wraps to enable them 10
brave the cold outside, while love and
hope and the JOY of rendering others
happy will supply them with warmth IN
side.
What a gleeful, blessed time would this
holiday be if every picture in Its
changing panorama might be painted
in BRIGHT and cheerful colors But alas I!
there are clouds as well rs sun
sbine in the Christmas sky. Good peo-
nIs of Wheeling there is want -pinchlng,
killing want-in this city. Wiling hands
want work and empty mouths want
hrssd Ali the day long and all through
the weary night helpless, deserving ones
are CRYING for aid. The suffering may
not be so great here, ana we are grained
70 know that it is not, as in some other
o;.;s, Ys, there are cases right here IN
ON, own midst. There are men and Wo-
man and babes in this city to-day VINO
lack fuel to feed the flame OF lie. VINO
wilI relieve them? Some of the sufferers
ara able and anxious to work. VINO Will
give them employment at living wages +.
Tbase are hard times for the poor, ana
we appeal to the charitable f0lk 0'
Wbeel;ng to know what you are
going to do about it? The Giver
Of good thingshss blessed your
og,-ts. Won have been enabled to lay up
q winters store; good health has at
landed YOU, and Heaven has smiled upon
vou and YOURS. Do you pause some
,;r,ss in the drive of business and wnir
of ,,ssspre to reflect that what you have
gained is not yours in fee simpls-ths'
YOU are expected to expend 1t wisely
and for the good of your kind Ihl'
Cbr,stmss festival ought to quicken you
ssuse of duty to the poor whom y0'
have always with you. In addition v