Music: Editorial Cantata

"Dear Editor—I am 8 years old.

Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.

Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O'Hanlon."

This embarrassing letter, in 1897, gave pause to the editors of the staid New York Sun. But not for long. Next day. in an editorial written by Editor Francis Pharcellus Church, the Sim answered in a fearless affirmative. "Not believe in Santa Claus!" it blustered, "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...