W. Clyde Hampton 
Dec. 24, 1993 
W. Clyde Hampton, 78, Of Mercer Street, Berwick, Died Friday Morning At 
Berwick Hospital Center.

A Knight-ridder Newspapers Article That Appeared In The Times Leader On Nov.

Saturday, December 25, 1993 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





Uncle Sam, too, doffs his hat on Christmas &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Today, of course, is a special day. But it's special not only because of
its &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Christian meaning, or the gifts many families exchange, or the peace and
quiet that will settle over our deserted city streetsNo, it's special for
reasons far beyond that. For today is the day America recognizes the divine. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Today, like Thanksgiving, is a day our government has set aside to honor a
religious tradition. Today is a formal and respectful bow by our leaders
toward those forces in the universe that are stronger than them, and that we
as humans may never understand. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Today, in other words, is a sign that there's hope for our nation after
all. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 There are many dark omens in Russia and Eastern Europe these days, what
with the rise of racism and ultra-right nationalism and so forth. But there
are signs of hope, too. One of the strongest is the reemergence of religion. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Across the former Soviet Union, churches, synagogues and other houses of
worship are drawing record crowds, news stories report. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Why is that such a good sign? Why was Pope John Paul II's visit to Poland
years ago such an internationally celebrated milestone, even among those who
believe the Catholic Church is a force pulling us back toward the Middle Ages? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It's because although religion is no guarantee of freedom and democracy, it
seems to be a prerequisite. Few countries have successfully embraced democracy
without first embracing the principles and values of one or more great
religions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If there's a freedom-loving nation in the world today that openly espouses
not just religious tolerance, but atheism, we haven't heard of it. That does
not mean atheists are bad people. Religious belief is no predictor of behavior
at an individual or even a group level. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But it does mean that all Americans -- athiests, agnostics and believers
alike -- may take comfort that America puts "In God We Trust" on its currency,
and sets aside days like today so that citizens may worship as they see fit. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For the gesture is a sign of humility on the part of Washington. It's an
official act of reverence. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It's a tacit acceptance by our leaders of their own mortality, an admission
that they may not be the wisest or strongest or most virtuous beings of them
all. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And in governments, as in people, a little such humility goes a long, long
way.

Uncle Sam, Too, Doffs 
His Hat On Christmas 
Today, Of Course, Is A Special Day. But It's Special Not Only Because Of Its 
Christian Meaning, Or The Gifts Many Families Exchange, Or The Peace And Quiet 
That Will Settle Over Our Deserted City Streets.

Uncle Sam, Too, Doffs His Hat On Christmas Today, Of Course, Is A Special Day. But It's Special Not Only Because Of Its Christian Meaning, Or The Gifts Many Families Exchange, Or The Peace And Quiet That Will Settle Over Our Deserted City Streets.