The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-12-27
THURSDAY. DECEMBER q. 1906
OUR GREETINGS.


Our readers may think us tardy with
our Christmas greetings, yet they are
none the less cordial on this account.
You know Christmas lasts until New
Years, so we come to you holding on to
Christmas with one hand and reaching
out to the New Year with the other.
This is the season of good cheer. The
season Of the holly and the mistletoe,-
the time for bright faces and generous
impulses for gladstone greetings a
time for noble resolves to be born-a
time for old animosities to die, time
when the benevolent side of ones ma
ture should eclipse the sordid side, "a
time when the thoughts should be turn
ed towards home, "a time when the
usurping chains of business should be
ignored. A time when the child with
its golden curls, the man with his silver
ell locks, alike cry GLORY to God in the
highest, peace on earth, good will to
men," These words have been chanted
by all.Christian nations since the infant
Jesus slept in the crude manger in Beth
lehem. The organs in the grand cathe
drals havespealed forth these words and
the hearts of the worshippers have been
filled with alteration; those treading the
flowerless path of poverty echo the
praises. The poor mother in the hovel
as she bends over the smouldering en-
bers upon the desoIate hearth and
weeps over the empty stockings Of her
neglected children even she hears
these strains in the distance, and her
plaintive voice, so full of want, joined
in the chorus, GLORY to God in the
highest" Perhaps this motheris think
ing of the Christmas days in her girl
hood when plenty crowned the board,
and these memories may be feeding her
hungry heart. Theologians may caviI
over the date and origin this day, but
we will hold fast to our Christmas.
This it was Merry Christmas" al
around. Fat turkey, with the usua
sundrios, furnished the inner man de.
light, the social was given play in mary
ways, and in fact the day was happy
anniversary, despite the fact that the
cold was intense and a storm was il
progress. Anything like full account
of the social happenings Of the day anC
evening cannot be given. Time an,
space forbids; but never was the da,
more universally observed in our city
AS we are about to let go of the oil
year we realize that to most of us it ha
been kind year.-to few the darI
side has been turned; to others, tn
sunny side. We must not forget tina
upon the homes of some of our readers
since last Christmas tide, a shadow ha
fallen and the mantle of sorrow ha
wrapped the inmates in its somber fold.
Other homes are like the empty ne.
that hang on the withered bough-desc
late because the life and song went OF
with the birds. New homes have bee
made-new ties formed, old ones seve
ed, but in our onward march it is M
well to stop to measure the load eaC
one carries. No life is either all SUI
shine or storm. If the new year bring
prosperity, let us rejoice; if adversit
let us be brave. Let US be thankf
that ''our lines have fallen in pleasal
places" that at is as we'll with us
it u.s." and use our utmost endeavors
make this happy year. Let US quic
ly turn over the sad page and look
the bright picture that awaits US; let
quickly penetrate any cloud that mi
float DER our pathway and veiw
length the beautiful silver lining b
You'd.