The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-18

OF wonder { o the students Of organiza-
ton and leadership. would have a mer-
rier Christmas rae the election in the
state gone democratic. but the over
whelming majority Of $4,000 which. un-
der his leadership. Tammany rolled up
In the city, may account for the smile
OF contentment which plays about his
grim yet kindly face.
However. the theaters Inc the no.
tables are not a special feature OF the
holiday season. They are a shading
which the season borrows from the
regular coloring of the metropolis. The
real Christmas picture Is not in the
brilliantly Illuminated windows; not in
the miles of faring electric lights; not
in the majestic buildings. or in the
trees n W and tinsel with
which the eyes OF the favored are to
be pleased: but in the faces OF the mill
ions who are scurrying about-some
riding in stylish turnouts. many crowd
ing the street cars and the vast major
ity walking upon the restless treadmill
of the streets which knows no holiday.
has no vacation and turns the same
hard surface to h weary and the
buoyant. the fainting and the strong.
AS one studies the vast panorama, he
deals in comparisons. He recalls the
words: eac on earth; good Will to-
WdTu NEIL. ana NOf1utTS WHY uuIlnS
these glorious December days. there Is
not more of the sentiment upon the
face OF mankind. Surely these pale.
haggard men and women who are
crowding Onward in pursuit OF the
will-o'-the-wisp of happiness are not
enjoying peace on earth. nor can we
say that IL is good will toward men
that prompts the few to gather to
themselves the dollars the lack OF which
writes the story of pain and disap-
pointment upon the faces of the throng.
Passing down Fifth avenue o are
impressed with the immense fortunes
represented in stone and marble. With
in those walls are luxuries gathered
from all quarters OF the globe. There
is no limit to the holiday possibilities
there. Every comfort within the reach
OF wealth., every adorn-
ment and device at the of
gold Is there to assist the inmates in
their efforts at enjoyment. The winds
may howl n the blasts may shrek,
but the threatening voices of the air
only to the sense of security with
in the gilded halls.
1t is not such a far cry from Fifth
avenue to the districts inhabited by
the poor. Only a few short blocks sep
arate them. And what n contrast,
How suddenly the observer is trans
ported from one world to the other.
How brief a space between the man
slons of the earthly paradise to the ten
ements of the earthly hell.
1t is Christmas time on Fifth avenue.
SO II is on the Bowery and the far east
side. The Lord made no special ar
rangement for the money-hoarders. so
they are compelled to accept the plsbe-
ian Christmas day and enjoy ii as best
they may.
And what are these people-the very
rilh n nd tho yarv nOnr-thinkinU hDnto
How are they preparing for the Christ
ian's day Of days?
The richest of the rich are preparing
to abandon their city palaces for their
country places. Many Of the ~palatial
dwellings on the avenue will be vacant
on Christmas, that the European plan
Of spending the day In the country may
be observed.
With the poor IL Is 2 question of
shelter and food. The rich are wonder
ing which of their mansions they will
occupy.
A few have enough to make thous-
ands happy. Thousands have not
enough for a few.
Is there charity? Oh. yes.
Do the well-to-do make provision for
the poor during the holiday season?
Most assuredly.
1t In well known hat no city in the
world deals more generously with the
needy than does New York. No a
woman or child in this tremendous hive
need be without a Christmas Inner.
Charitable associations have establish
ed a rule that any one who on Christ
mas applies f6r food may have a boun-
tiful meal. Mendicante NAV feast at
least n a In the year. The begcar
does not beg in vain on the 25th "a
of December. There is food enough
for all IN this world and once a year
the humanity of the community as
serts itself to the extent of demonstrate
ing he ability Of the soil. the sea and
the minis to make all OF Gods child
rem happy. To be sure. there are
thousands who will eat their crusts
rather than join the army Of confessed
dependent: but they belong to the