The Chickasaw messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1880-1900, 1882-01-05
tma- Ezirnvagnacc..

days, before itsarrival But we.no-
Tee tue press in all parts oftho coun
try have been for weeks protesting
against Christmas extrayaganccs,
and the appeal believes il subseryes
the public good in joining in these
protests The desire TO make costly
presents on this day has grown so
rapidly OF late years that unless
checked the day will be looked upon
with absolute abhorance, and lose
the pleasures, the joys and the sane
tity which accompanied it in other
times. II is true Christmas, the
most glorious holiday the world
knows, would not be Christmas un-
less it brought with II that warm and
generous spirit which best finds ex-
preston in the exchange not only OF
congratulations and well wishes, but
also Of more substantial tokens OF
good will and regard In short,
Christmas would not be Christmas
unless we both gave and had at least
lingering hope that we might dur
ing its celebration receive presents.
Still there is no reason why such
offerings should be either costly or
extravagant People should give
according to their means. Their
holiday expenditures should cause
them no sighs of regret. They
should give freely that only which
they can afford to give. The custom
originated in making presents TO the
poor and the family servants, who
we're unable to buy for themselves,
and it is a beautiful one, but like all
good things 1t has degenerrted into
an evil II has become too fashion,
able to make costly and elaborate
presents on Christmas day--a COM
paratively recent innovation-and
there is no telling where II will end,
as there is as much rivalry in the
business as there is in fashionable
dressing and gay equipages. Each
successive Christmas thus becomes
the rival o. its predecessor, and must
surpass it or cease to be that delight
ful surprise which the generous giver
and receiver contemplate with so
much satisfaction. The ladies and
children display their vsrious treas
ures and recount TO their admirilq
neighbors and friends the many
beautiful gifts they receive; silent
comparisons arc made, and in this
way there comes aboutan emulation
of extravagance One man does NOT
like TO De ouidone, and he will suffer
distress of mind if III becomes appar-
ent that tho wife Of his bosom and
bis beloved children are humiliatcd
by en- uufavorahle comparison OF
their gifts, aud The result is, the next
Christmas he goes beyond his means
10 order 10 enable his family to vic
with their richer neighbors. Every
year the amount expended in Chris
mas gifts is enormous, and is increa
sing rapidly and largely with eacl
recurring period. The bestowal oil
these gifts costs the giver much
anxiety aud embarrassment, and
often causes him to run in debt to
meet what has come to be regarded
as an iuexorable social demand. The
ruth is that many a generous
hearted fellow struggles through
months under the burden of bis
lavish Christmas gifts. This out
growth OF Christmas folly is no part
of the observance or tradition prop
er TO the day 1t is an incidental
manifestation OF the general rage foi
display--a sacrifice on the altar oil
popular vanity. 1t illustrates the
Intense pressure of certain element
of crude and vulgar social ambition
in American society, against which
the underlying good sense of the
community must ultimately rebel
This lever of extravaganza in con-
necliOn with the Christmas festiya
will run its course till reaction sets
in; then that good taste, whose iun
damental law is simplicity, will re-
sumo its reign and restore the gran.
old holiday to its former significance
There was love and affection in th,
old time Christmas gifts, when th,
mother sent pair OF socks 10 th,
son knit with her own fingers, or
suit of blue jeans spun and WOvel
with her own hands But the gift
of the present indicate nothing bu
an ostentaiious display Of opulence
The standard has been set so higl
that only those in afiiuent circum
stances can enjoy the luxury Til
gift Of Christmas time should b
simply a memento Of good will an
kind remembrance, not an eyidenc
of the generosity or wealth OF th
giyer A bouquet Of aowers, TO
OF music, a simple loeket, anythin
selected with thoughtful care an
taste will serve the purpose as we
as a grand piano or a set Of dia
monds It is related of one Of th
oldest and most respected professor
of the University of GOttingen, th,
be was, not many years ago, pre-
sehted during the Christmas holiday
With o beautiful and costly piece
silverware The gift came from a riu
American student, who no dOul
expected It would give the professC
much sleasure such being q
case, he war naturally much surpri
ed 10 sec his present refused IN
note ehch said II return the pie,
of sleerware very much as i wou
have returned its equivalent n moi
eY had You sent it 10 me. did Ia
{ WITHOUT for q inomlll thinking Il
Sless OF your kinl isA tions Still
Ind - - -
30 al
Esd h.
/ your OWnL
/ 1t highly but
gilt IN which the,
neither feeling nor
rhieh represented notl
extfayagantontlay Of none, .,.'
note may seem rude and Y.
promltiags Of q hstidious sstes 2al
I IL inenieafoa a Hrunr.f which W