The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-12-21
IS THERE A SANTA CLAUS?


 More than 33 years ago. there appeared in the New York Sun, the "od Sun," editorial article under the above caption, which probably has been read by more people than any other of its kind It written answer to letter from a little eght-year-old girl, Virginia OHanlon. Its author was Francis Pharceus Church, who, it is recounted, when the task assigned to him "bristled and pooh- -hooed but he took the letter and turned with resignation to his desk" Anyone with newspaper experience readily understand MT Churchs attitude he began this "chore" Another communication received, another answer to be composed. Perhaps he didn't regard his response as other than ordinary. But it has lived through than three decades. Parents of today read it. or had it read to them, as children of yesterday. And their children of today prob- ably will read it to their children years pass on It has become an integral part of Christmas literature.
 The article it appeared in the New York Sun of September 21 1897, is reprinted herewith:
 We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication be- low, expressing at the same time our great qualification that it's faithful author is num- bered among the friends of The Sun:
 Dear Editor-I am 8 years old.
 Some of my little friends say there
 is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If
 you see it in The Sun it's so." Please
 tell me the truth, is there Santa
 Claus?
 VIRGINIA O'HANLON
 115 West Ninety-first Street.
 Virginia your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticsm of a skeptical age. They do not believe except what they They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensble by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be mems or childrens are little. In this great universe of ours man is a insect an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundleSs world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole truth and knowledge.
 Yes Virginia there is Santa Claus. He exists as certainly love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life it's high est beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world, if there Santa Claus! It would be as dreary if there were no Virginias. There would be childke faith then no poetry no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extnguished.
 Not believe in Santa Caus You might as well not believe in fariesl You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove! Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world those that neither children men can see. Did you fairies dancing on the lawn? Of not, but that's no proof that they are not there Nobody conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
 You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is veil covering the world which not the strongest man, nor the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah Virginia, in all this world there is noth ing else real and abiding.
 No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever A thousand years from now Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will con- tinue to make glad the heart of childhood.