National Republican., 1883-12-25
Chrl.tmns and the christian Republic

Christmas Rnd the Christian Republic.
To-day throughout the most civilized ma.
tions will be celebrated the birth of the Christ
from whose nativity time is computed, and to
whose name oven unbolievers do homage
when they givo the namo of Christendom to
tho countries most advanced in science and
the arts of civilization. The wonderful Char
actor whose advent at Bethlehem nearly two
thousand years ago was unnoticed by the
crowd at tho bustliug inn and who was laid
in tho manger by His mother "because
thero was no room for them in the inn,'
is the object of devotion and tho hope Of res
direction to all who believe in life beyond
the grave. lie taught tho world 10 believe
in the equality of human rights. Reclaimed
for the humble and despised the crown Of
manhood and membership of the one human
family of which God himself was the Father.
1t was Ills spirit that animated tne revolt
against kingcraft and made democracy the
ideal of those who rebellod against the rule of
vulgar tyrants.
Rcpubicanism is Christianity applied to
COVE rnmcnt. The republican statesmen who
seek to prostitute this republic TO the control
of favored class, or classes, be they bourbons
at the south or self-lauding Pharisoes at tho
n orth are engaged in an endeavor to circum-
vent God. If they could succeed the repub-
lie would go down, because equality, which
they hate, is tho central principle of repub-
licanism, as it is of Christianity. Tho re-
publican party processes to maintain the
equality of citizenship. Let IL take heed,
lest it DO drawn away from this, its first idea,
and stand guard only over its property,
when it should also be standing
guard over mems rights. Let it
| guard against communism, but at tho same
time let il not be the stalking horse Of
greedy cormorants who arc the contemners
of the people. On this Christmas day let us
be reminded of tho great Lcveler-Christ--
and make q new resolve that this nation
shall not 80 down in punishment for inius-
tice, but that it shall grow strong by making
each one of its citizens feel that he has a
right to all the power it can command
against whoever would deny him any privi-
lege to which it is pretended he is entitled by
law.
The present condition of affairs is far below
this standard. Those in power scom obliv-
ious TO the sacrcdness of human nature, or
callous 10 the wrongs committed against it.
Hundreds live in luxury, thousands live in
comfort, millions pine in wretchednoss.
Wealth is miscalled prosperity, when only a
few are prospered. The few scores of vam-
pires who absorb the fruits of the labor of
fifty millions of people secure attention to
their clamors when they want aid or immu-
nifty, but ropublicanism lies PROSTATE in a
third of the states south, and feu-
dalism drives over it rough shod and
unchallenged. At tho north feudal-
ism, no less bold. holds every road by
which the producer must reach the worlds
market, and bids him stand and deliver so
much of his property as will make the re-
mainder something better than not to have
raised any crops at all. .-..
We need to be recalled by gentle means to
the realization that this is government OF
the people. Otherwise there will come n day
when those who owe their power to the null
titude will be rudey called upon to render
an account of their stewardship. Let nc
property exhibit its conservatism by not ask.
ing the agents of the people to invite popular
convulson and chaos by ignoring their prin-
ciples in the conduct of affairs.
Such are the reflections which como to III
on Christmas day. Christian and skepti,
will agree that the equality of all is the basi
of republicanism as it is of Christianity. Be
waro of the anti Christ of class and privileges
1t would destroy the republic if it could
Wherever it shows its head and claims pre-
cedence on account of wealth, birth, or tn
classic training which but few can have. tn
people should crush it as parents would ai
adder in tho pathway of their child.