The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1914-12-07
THE MUNICIPAL CHRISTMAS

THE MUNICIPAL CHRISTMAS
Moscow may not have changed 81
much physically in the past five years
that former residents returning for {
visit will not be able to recognize the
familiar streets and buildings. But WE
suspect that if they could get deeply
enough into the spirit of Moscow they
would find that a wonderful change
for the better-had come over the city
Surely it is not mere imagination that
makes us think the town was never in
its rather long history so harmonious
so united in aim and in work
One of the manifestations of this
newer cordially and unity is the
prompt endorsement given to the sug-
gestion that Moscow have a municipal
Christmas tree, that singing of carols
and familiar Christmas hymns be par
ticipated in by the whole city, and that
something be hung upon the tree that
will gladden. the hearts of children
The details of such a. plan will
doubtless be worked out as other cities
all around us are doing. Some eau
lions ought to be observed in order
that the celebration may not be a fail
IRE.
One of these cautions relates to the
program for the occasion. 1t would
be fatal to the interest and pleasure
if lot of people were asked to make
speeches. Too many of Moscow's
public affairs are spoiled by a super
fluffy of long -winded and profitless
talks. Too many people are constantly
invited to speak here at our civic cell
ebrations and too many of them take
more time than they are entitled to
and use the time they take very badly,
indeed 1t should be remembered that
the Christmas tree celebration is meant
for children, that it should be a gay,
brilliant time, and full of lovely mem
cries No booming old speeches should
mar the good time If there is one adj |
dress, it should be crisp and just ex-
actly designed for children. Children |
should not be talked down to; they |
should be talked up to, and the per-
son who can make the jolliest kind of
an understanding talk for three min
utes is none too good for the celebra-
ton.
The second caution is the choice of a |
place The affair is to municipal
and should therefore suggest the city
and the city auspices Lewiston is to |
have its celebration in it's city park,
and that seems to us a beautiful idea
worthy of imitation.
We have a lovely bark, it is we'll
lighted, and if there happens to be
some snow, it will be vertiable fairy
and. All of the preparations can be
made in plenty of time, and the loca-
ion of the park for the one celebration
If the year is certainly central enough,
or on Christmas every one has time
o go abroad-or should have
Another important consideration is
he hour Those who have been pres
mt at such times have suggested five
iclock in the afternoon just before
christmas eve, and that would certain
Y have poetry enough about it to sat
sly the most sensitive Even four
clock would be successful, for the
arly dusk is well on us by four; and
y five the shapely tree sparkling with
myriad of lights would be a perfect
ision in the soft twilight. The city
and could play some of the lovely old
arols, and the people could sing and
llk and laugh together in the spot
lat belongs to them all and that
ould provide so artistic setting.
here are benches for the crowd and
lere is platform on which, perhaps,