The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-25

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YF.CE on EARTH. GOOD WILL 4"
MIN.
Christmas has always been the most
popular festival Of the Virginians from
the time Of the colonial lords OF the
manor down to the present age, iong
interval that las seen many soclai
transformations but nevertheless little
change in the attitude Of our people TO
warIs this hallowed day. The spirit OF
the old English stock. with all its brave
traditions Of GOOD will ard good cheer,
transmitted from century to century,
has survived amongst US, only further
enriched by the genius Of our own
social life.
Thanksgiving Day is festival trans
planted from the barren hills and cold
hearthstones Of Puritan New England.
from land in which the blood Is
chilled and the springs of life How IN
narrow and sluggish stream, but
Christmas comes down TO US from our
Virginian fathers. who received it from
their remotest English ancestry,
noble heritage crowned with ample
jeasts. with frolic and fes.ivity. alive
with unIestrained mirih aud jollity.
ard corfecratcd by the warmest'
tenderest. aud kindest emotions
that can stir the nunao
breast. Tnat Unchecked J)yousneSs
celebrated so gloriously 10 fervid song
aud story, which has peIvaded the
ancient halls Of Engllnd on this day
from times immemoi ial. has always
had IFS counterpart 10 the homes OF Old
Virginia on the same happy aud roll.ck-
ing occasion. Here, too, the smoking
bowl as gone round, with many q
nearly draft fiom It's fiery contents.
DRINK 10 the health Of Love and Friend
ship, the yule log has famed Oh the
iron dogs, and holly and mistietoe have
decorated cornice, mantel and picture
frame.
In many a planters residence, the
Cnristmas scenes that enlivened Brace
bridge Hall and Dirgley Dell have been
enacted with faithfulness TO the
original, which could only have been
made possible by common traditions
aud common blood. Members of the
family have gathered together from a
distauce under the old roof Tree to
breathe once more the atmosphere Of
home. and to strengthen by renewed
ASSOCIATIONS the natural ties that bind
t,em 10 each other. la the background.
have cleaned the smiling c0uDtenances
Of servants allowed on this joyous day
all the privileges Of respectful compan-
ionship. la that cheerful circle. col
l,cied about the heartbstone and re-
counting the incidents of the past year.
or talking in hopeful vein ofne interests
of the present hour, perhaps some
familiar face, enleared by al that
sweetness. beauty aud happiness can
confer is present only in spirit from
that unknown land TO which the soul
has departed.
The cities OF Virginia Rave always
hsd as many joyous associations with
Christmas as the country. only that
these associations are not 20 much
confined TO individual homes. la the
cities, the community rises and the
family sinks in importance. The broth
tihood of man. rather than the unity Of
special domestic circles, grows more
prominent. Emotions of kindness ana
charity enlarge until they take in tbs
whole race. Friendship is exalted.
Taere Is disposition 10 ran into a closer
and more intimate assoc alton with oul
fellows. Feryently the heart cries; Peace
on earth, good will 20 men. The soul ex
pauds, tn, hand opens wide. Our sym
palhies 20 out more keenly TO misery
10 the hope of giving relief; ouI very j y
makes US more alive 10 the sorrows Of
Others. because SO inconsistent with the
general happiness of the hour. The
whole nature seems to Iiso in nObler
and pur. aspirations, and be moved by
finer and higher impulses.
Under the influence OF these powerful
feelings. much of the vanity and petit.
ness which distinguish the social life of
men in town, TO SO great degree,
seems to fall away, and charity and
generosity take their place. The selfish
iGau for time thinks Of others. the
s,ingy man reiaxes his grasping fingers,
the critical f1rgels his CONSCIOUSNESS.
10 every person, we observe a strong in
clination 10 play better and more adj
ipirable part than usual, ana this spirit
Of tie individual produces a more ele
vat, d tone in the whole community.
How carefully we should cherish all
the characteristics Of day that docs
no much TO war,p the human heart. and
10 trng Us nearer to the teachings OF
our Lord, 10 whose name il is ceie-
brated. May II be set apart perpetually
amongst us as the very foremost Of our
festivals, ennobled by all that tradition
and endeared by all that family ties
aud social amenities can confer upon
any institution established by men and
sanctioned by God.
EMIGRATION OF TbE NEGRO.