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The Most Famous Editorial
Newseum.org ^ | Sept. 21, 1897 | Francis P. Church

Posted on 12/24/2015 7:31:15 AM PST by Old Sarge

The first time I shared this editorial with all my FRiends here was in 2004, when I was icebound in West Virginia heading back from leave to report for mobilization to Iraq.

This year on Christmas Eve, as I have since then, I offer this simple story, a very favorite of mine, for all my FRiends again. Take the time to read it - REALLY read it - and understand that Santa will visit your troops, and he still leaves the greatest gift of them all.

An Old Soldier's Merry Christmas to you all!


TOPICS: History; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: christmas; merrychristmas; santa; vesvirginia
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Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps. "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 a Santa Claus?

"VIRGINIA O'HANLON. "115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measure by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on 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 are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can 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 a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest man that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance can 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 nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank GOD! He lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

1 posted on 12/24/2015 7:31:16 AM PST by Old Sarge
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To: darkwing104; Darksheare; Col Freeper; Viking2002; shibumi; humblegunner; Arrowhead1952; LUV W; ...
And a Very Merry Christmas Wish to all on this Free Republic!
2 posted on 12/24/2015 7:33:48 AM PST by Old Sarge
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To: Old Sarge

Thanks, Old Sarge, And Merry Christmas to you!

I had nearly forgotten how much fun this was to read!


3 posted on 12/24/2015 7:35:01 AM PST by Monkey Face (In order for you to insult me, I would first have to value your opinion. ~ Samuel L Jackson)
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To: Old Sarge


4 posted on 12/24/2015 7:36:58 AM PST by JoeProBono (SOME IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING ’VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED;-{)
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To: Old Sarge

Merry Christmas Sarge...


5 posted on 12/24/2015 7:38:32 AM PST by GOPJ (No one in power is on our side.No one in power is on our side. Absolutely no one. freeper marron)
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To: Old Sarge; All
Merry Christmas!




6 posted on 12/24/2015 7:44:07 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Old Sarge; JoeProBono; humblegunner; Salamander; TheOldLady; Semper Mark; 50mm; Larry Lucido; ...


7 posted on 12/24/2015 7:45:53 AM PST by shibumi (Vampire Outlaw of the Milky Way)
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To: Old Sarge

Merry Christmas, ((((SARGE))))
....and Everyone here!

8 posted on 12/24/2015 7:48:57 AM PST by luvie (Cruz or Lose!)
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To: Old Sarge

Merry Christmas Old Sarge. And Merry Christmas to each and every FReeper FRiend.

My kids are grown. Yet Mrs. R2 and I have one grandchild. He turns 3 on New Years Day. He is truly a joy as we get to see him experience the joys of Christmas and watch him as he looks at the tree, the presents, the lights on the houses and all that is merry and bright this Holiday Season.

In a time such as this, when I (and others) can get hard and jaded at the many things wrong with this world, it is very refreshing to look at a child and remember how we once used to see the world as a good, safe place with new and exciting promises and as we used to greet each day with a promise of joy and happiness.

May each of us have a child-like Christmas this year.


9 posted on 12/24/2015 8:00:41 AM PST by Responsibility2nd (With Great Freedom comes Great Responsibility)
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To: Old Sarge; onyx; humblegunner; Jim Robinson; John Robinson; trisham; All

To ALL who make FREE REPUBLIC rock!!

God BLESS you all and God BLESS AMERICA.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, dearest ones. Love to you all on Christmas and for the Holy Season it begins! TWELVE DAYS! HAPPY COMING NEW YEAR!


10 posted on 12/24/2015 8:02:58 AM PST by RitaOK ( VIVA CRISTO REY / Public education is the farm team for more Marxists coming)
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To: RitaOK

11 posted on 12/24/2015 8:07:10 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: RitaOK; Old Sarge; onyx; humblegunner; Jim Robinson; John Robinson; trisham; All

Amen, to what dear Rita stated, so beautifully!

Thank you and a VERY Merry Christmas, blessed Holy days and Happy New Year, to all.

May His love and peace be with each of you.


12 posted on 12/24/2015 8:07:24 AM PST by Jane Long (Go Trump, go! Make America Safe Again :)
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To: RitaOK

Merry Christmas to all!!!!


13 posted on 12/24/2015 8:07:59 AM PST by Ciexyz
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To: shibumi

Sweet Jesus. Love that picture. God bless you in this Holy Season of Christmas.


14 posted on 12/24/2015 8:10:01 AM PST by RitaOK ( VIVA CRISTO REY / Public education is the farm team for more Marxists coming)
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To: Jim Robinson; John Robinson; Admin Moderator; Sidebar Moderator
And I am remiss in not extending a MERRY CHRISTMAS to the site gods!
15 posted on 12/24/2015 8:10:21 AM PST by Old Sarge
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To: Old Sarge

Very cool,indeed!


16 posted on 12/24/2015 8:17:02 AM PST by Gay State Conservative (Obamanomics:Trickle Up Poverty)
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To: Jane Long; All
Merry Christmas!




17 posted on 12/24/2015 8:18:20 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Old Sarge

Thank you! And Merry Christmas to you and yours!


18 posted on 12/24/2015 8:19:37 AM PST by Sidebar Moderator
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To: Old Sarge
And to you too my FRiend!


19 posted on 12/24/2015 8:33:33 AM PST by PROCON (Merry CHRISTmas!)
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To: Old Sarge
To FReepers one and all...........

Merry Christmas photo MerryChristmas.gif

20 posted on 12/24/2015 8:38:46 AM PST by varon (Obama is a tumor.........)
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