The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-15
The Scason OF Gifts.

We wish We could promise to the people
n a Christmas eift Government wherein
the Constitution and the law held undis-
Iutcd sway, and the sovereignty OF the
people VIA, 10 longer in peril 10y reason OF
military usurpatiou. But we cannot
promise il. No ono can forecast what II
10 happen in this country, except that the
party in power will keep in power IL it,
chefs are able to carry out the plan they
have laid out for themselves. The conse-
quonce of this uncertainty is great damage
TO trade and dire suffering among the pco-
pie, already lorg tortured under the har-
row Of business disaster.
But IN country 80 wide rs ours, and of
such varying and complex necessities and
artificial dc~nos not even friction NJ the
pivot Of Government can stop the whole
movement of commercial activity and
prosperity. BAD rs things are AT Washing
ton. aud disheartoning as are the foals OF
patriots. trade goes on with some spirit.
There is business life enough even under
such q wretchcd political condition TO ndi-
cate how brisk Il would have been if Re-
turning Boards had not cphercd away
Mr. TiLDEN's maJorlties, and If the pco-
pie were now awaiting with composurc
and satisfaction his Inauguration next
March as the consti,utionally elected Pres
ideut.
The holiday season has put out its her
aids IN the shop windows, and the streets
are LAY with the brilliant display. There
is nothing wanting TO tempt all buyers,
however varied or eXacliug in their tnstes.
Wares prepared for the Centennial EXhi-
hiiion are low for sale, aud the stimulus
that international competition gave to our
manufacturers adds new elegance 10 the
fairies offered. 80 apparently perfect are
thu products Of the foreign and domestic
/ looms ana the ARTICLES of handicrnft, 40
multifnrious and so satisfactory 20 all
human necessities and the demands Of
taste, that little seems left TO he conquered
/ in the way Of arts aud manufactures. The
/ Travelling Prince, whose entertaining
Diary we are publishing, gives Ms no credit
for the skin and taste exhibited in our
fabricatious. saying that Europeans fur
ni-h the models for them ana the hands
to construct them. But nil princes are
iallible, and specially this one. lie il not
n very wise observer, and his philosophy
is often at fault Yet, as he talks frankly,
tNtI NllfH nt III blltAiNts uNs We GO l4Nl
get angry, bat rather smile at the
evidences lie affords of his Spanish
proyncial,m. As TO the foreign born
helping us in the arts ana sciences, we do
not deny their great part IN our national
development. We are not Chinese. We
have not pat up wall around the ropub-
lac to keep out strangers; but we have in
vited hither people Of all nations, and
encouraged them by generous patronage
10 practise their trades ana ply their skill.
More than that, wa do not keep them ms
foreigners, but speedily incorporate them
into the political BODY rs citizens, 10 share
with us the glory ana advantage of what
ever we may do together. We or our
ancestors all had to cross the sea to get
here. Some came earlier and some later,
and TO our numbers many thousands Of
new recruits are yearly added. We found
no civilization here, and so had to bring
with MS the timber out OF which to build
the structure; and if any new conner has a
needed stick 10 put IN, "A decoration, or a
foundation prop, let him bring il along
with him. lit Hts or bcauthe-, weare glad
enough 10 get il. We are All Americans,
Mr.. Travelling Prince, whether born ON the
soll or not; and there Is no dispute about
the division of the glory.
The preparations ut the shops for tho
holidays are abundant, and the buyers who
crowd them give evidence that whatever
other customs may fade and wlther that
OF giving CUTS is IN no disusc. Though his
torlans may trace back the custom to pa
gan Tunes anterior 10 tho foundation OF
Christianity, the relation Of Christmas to
the Founder Of our religion is what makes
The festival tho greatest Of all the year
throughout the world Wherever Ills real
or nominal followers exist. In its uutcipn-
ton ali Chrlstcndom prepares aud cxhih-
IT. its finest wares, and rich and poor thlnl.
Of giving as well MS gaming
There never was better array OF goods
from which 10 select than now, and IN
this country there never was time when
those who had the means Of giving could