The times., 1899-12-23

LaureES and Bav~.
Tomorrow night VIII be Christmas Eve,
and perhaps the most notable one in the
annals OF America since that which fol-
lowed the surrender OF CORVALLIS al
Yorktown. Then the battle which made
the colonies free and State had been
fought and won. and American soldiers and
patriots were able 10 see that out Of the
eater, war, had come the meat OF peace
and the certainty OF national recognition
We who have studied the history OF those
days. when a sudden light illumined the
darkness that had hovered over the strug-
gle for right and Anglo-Saxon civilization,
can well imagine how the great Washing
ton and his companions hailed the first
Yuletide which for weary years came as
a harbinger OF peace and happiness. We
can fancy how, when that particular
Christmas Eve was due, the heart OF the
old Continental, IN his ragged regimen
tails" +" vent out in joy and thanks giving for
the great boon which a Divine Providence
had youchsafed to American arms; and we
may believe that with honest and sturdy
merriment the glasses were not too closely
counted when the hero of Long Island,
Valley Forge. and Monmouth kept it up
with the officers who had stood by him
through the terrible days OF the war.
We may be sure. also, that neither the
Isurels nor the bays won by the gallant
men who had distinguished themselves or
died in the struggle, were forgotten. While
The niustrious LTberator toasted victorious
Putnam. stark and Hamilton, we are sure
that he did not forget Warren, who fell
gIoriously al Bunker Hill. or Pulaski, who
died al Savannah Finally. 1t need not be
doubted that an unspoken curse was regis
tered against that unsuccessful traitor,
Benedict Arnold. who years afterward in
London said. although I was born and
spent the best years Of my life in Amerl-
ca cannot say that there is a single be-
ing in that country who is my friend"
shift we the scenes. and raise the cur
tain on z situation nearly a century and a
quarter later. We are near 20 the end Of
The last year but one Of the nineteenth
century. Again soldiers. sailors, and pa
triots have reason to celebrate the feast
OF Saint Christmas with unusual and ex-
uberant jubilation. A year ago, the Treaty
Of Peace with Spain had not yet been ratl-
fed by the Senate. Legally, We were still
al war, ana the country was troubled with
visions OF reasonable tendencies on the
part OF some Of its lawgivers which, per-
chance, might deprive us Of the fruits Of
victories won by Dewey and Schley, and by
our marines. regulars. and volunteers in
Khaki. Already the Agulnaido rebellion
was being fomented in Boston and Wash
iagtCn. Through AgonciIo, Lopez. and
ether emissaries. that Malay adTersurer
was receiving promises Of support from
men high In our public life. and in the
counsels of the nation and money with
which to attack our flag from combina-
lions determined TO resist the acquisition
Of sugar and tobacco producing territory.
The horrors OF the poisonous beef con-
spiracy against our troops in the field. the
contemplate Eagan scandal, and the NAL
odorous AIger and Sampson questions were
yet choking the noses Of the people.
Christmas Day. A. D. 1898, was not uuac-
companied by causes for national misgiy-
ing and oreboding.
IN one year a change for the better has
come. It is true that the Administration
is far from being forgiven for its unjust
and diggraceful conduct in the Eagan case.
for its bold and open attempt to protect
the miscreauts who caused our defenders
10 be fed on carrion, or for its wicked at
tempt 10 crown the d-scredited absentee.
sampson, with the laurels Of Santiago. on
Jhe other hand, 1t has fastened the ac-
uuisition Of Porto Rico. the PHILIPPINES and
Guam. and has suppressed the Luzon rebel
lion. Notwithstanding the strong support ac-
corded 10 that senseless and murderous mu-
tiny by so-called American citizens. includ-
ing Senators and Members Of Congress.
AS the heroes and devoted citizens OF an
earlier period remembered their sacred slain
and cursed the traitors OF their day, So to-
morrow, it VIII be natural and proper for
us TO remember the "biyouac Of the dead
IA the Philippines. and not less the infamy
Of those creatures, miscalled Americans.
upon whose miserable heads will ever lie
The blood Of these martyrs.
On Christmas Eve We must have moth
ing but cheerful minds and a merry spirit
But on the day before It is well 10 think
OF the fallen. and the traitors.