The National tribune., 1885-12-24
CHRISTMAS.
Tomorrow is Christmas.

Tomorrow is Christmas.
Tomorrow is the one festal day that knits
closer together the hearts of the whole civil
lied world, and realizes that angelic proph-
ecy which the heavenly hosts sang to-
gether in heralding the coming of the Babe
in the Manger:
"Peace on earth and good will to men,"
Tomorrow is the day that makes kindlier,
better, truer men and women of all of us
which strengthens every loving, faithful
tendency, and rebukes all that is discordant,
jarring and base.
Tomorrow into every home which THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE visits will be gathered
the veterans Of the war, their faithful help
meets, their sons and daughters-yes, even
their grandsons and granddaughter, for old
age cometh apace upon all of US.
1t will be profitable to pause for few
minutes in the midst of the merry-making
and recall to mind the Christmases of those
days when the now bent forms throbbed
with the strength and bounding blood of
youth.
Remember the Christmas of 1860, with
South Cardinals secession but five days old,
and Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana
and Mississippi making ready to follow her,
while Maj. Anderson was preparing for his
startling movement from Moultrie to Sumter
Think of Christmas 1861, when 100000
freshly-levied citizen-soldiers Jay in a line
that reached from Chesapeake Bay across
the Allegany Mountains, along the whole
length of the State of Kentucky, across the
Mississippi River, over the breadth of Mis-
souri,, and out on the boundless plains to
distant Santa Fe. The memory of the de-
feats of Bull Run, Balls Bluff, Wilson's
Creek, and the drawn battle of Belmont was
still fresh in all minds.
Think Of the Christmas of 1862, when the
mangled Army of the Potomac, flung back
from the bloody Nights of Marye, II days
before, lay along the Rappahannock, bound
up its gaping wounds, buried its dead, and
essayed to gather up its courage for re-
newal of the attack; when the Army OF the
Cumberland was girding up its loins for the
terrible wrestle on the banks Of Stone River
six days later, and Sherman was marching
the Army of the Tennessee to a bloody re-
pulse at Chickasaw Bayou.
Recall the Christmas of 1868, when the
Army of the Potomac was resting from the
Mine Run campaign; the Army of the Ohio
was exulting over its recent victory at Fort
Sanders, and the combined Armies of the
Cumberland and Tennessee were in Winter
quarters at Chattanooga, enjoying the fruits
of the victories of Lookout Mountain and
Mission Ridge.
Remember the Christmas of 1864, when
the Army of the Potomac was camped
around Petersburg; the North Atlantic
squadron was shelling Fort Fisher; Sher
mans army was celebrating in Savannah the
conclusion of the March to the Sea- and
Gen. Thomas's army was following up the
victories at Franklin and Nashville by
savage pursuit of Hoods shattered corps.
Memories like these of the sufferings and
trials, cruel reverses, heroic achievements,
persevering valOr, and the final crown Of
glorious yictory,-memories which are as
much a part of ourselves as our members
and senses, will elevate and sweeten every
gathering of loyal, true-hearted men and
women.
Then let them be still further ennobled by
some act of kindliness and charity to some
one who stood bravely by our side in those
days Of trial of mems souls, but who is now
broken and needy. Honor yourself and
brighten your own fireside by doing some
thing to give him and his Merry Christmas,
which from the bottom of its heart THE
NATIONAL. TRIBUNE wishes for all those
that wore the blue-for their wives, their
sons and daughters, for their man-servants,
their maid-servants, and the strangers that
are within their gates.