Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-25
A CHRISTMAS LETTER TO THE
PRESIDENT AND PEOPLE OF
THE UNITED STATES.

From City and State, Philadelphia
when the heart Is broken, God en-
tiers and truth is realized: when peace
reigns In the heart, truth is also per-
ceived."
These are the two conditions under
which man is permitted to touch the
hem of the garment of that which no
one can define. Under the common
place conditions OF daily life, when
passion and petty ambition distort the
mental view, the mind can reach only
commonplace truths. The finer moral
distinctions can only be realized under
the strain and stress of profound sor-
row. or else at the opposite pole of
human emotion, when the heart and
mind are at peace with God and the
world.
1t was not merely as q dramatic Incl
dent that the advent of the Greatest
embodiment of Truth was heralded by
message of peace and good will to
man. The scene chosen for the an
nouncement had also meaning. 1t
was to the shepherds meath the stars
and the silvery arc OF the moon." en-
swHthed In the peuce-Speaking night OF
the East, that the celestial messengers
came. And 1t is at this same season
or peace and good will, when the hearts
of men. freed from the sterner things
of daily life, are softened and drawn
together. when all mankind Is under
the influence of the Prince of Peace
that wish to make an appeal on be-
half of our Sorely stricken people.
l am convinced that If the American
people only knew what is happening in
the Philippines. the flag of truce would
wave over every blood-stained field in
our loved island home. But the mar
tfal spirit, as we'll as considerations of
national pride and prestige. have dulled
the ear of pity and compassion.
In this great land, wherein are en-
toyed the blessings of liberty and
abundance, there are those who would
shrink from the mere idea Of killing a
fellow-being, yet who. under the in
fuence of martial glory. do not realize
that thousands of brave men and
| equally brave women are being slain
| by sword and starvation. in a conflic,
which can only result in death to one
people and withered laurels to the
| other.
Will we not do we'll to ask ourselves
what is the cause of all this strife ant
suffering? What is the stumbling BLOCK
| in the way of peace and reconciliation
l only know that the Filipino people
are asking for that which the Ameri.
can people have enjoyed for more thar
a hundred years. What. then. are oul
| differences? May 1t not be that "tht
all-transmuting truth may find afflni.
| ties in things which are to us the very
| elements of WARP"
AT this season of peace I plead for
peace. plead on behalf of the wife
and mother down whose cheeks are
coursing the silent tears; on behalf OF
the maiden who has met with her first
great sorrow; on behalf of the sad lit
| tie faces, too young to realize what
has happened, but who know that the
one who occupied that vacant chair
will never more return; on behalf OF
the patriots who. for good or i'll. have
laid down their life for their country's
cause; on behalf of the brave soldiers
marching under both flags; and in the
name and for the sage of Him. the
! Friend of the oppressed, who suffered
unjust condemnation as q rebel agains,
| the Lord of Hosts, plead for peace.
| May this plea, written with the blood
and tears of our people. reach the
hearts of all who share the peace and
| good will of the Herald Angels song
on this the last Christmas of the cen
| fury. SIXTO LOPEZ
Bingham House. Philadelphia, De-
cember Goth.