The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-11-30


THANKSGIVING. The season for our AN.
nual festival has returned. The const,tu
ted authorities of The State have recomnen
ded that, on the morrow, the entire popula-
ton of this commonwealth do, smulta-
neonsly, give utterance to their gratitude to
the Giver of all good, for the uncounted
mercles, of which as a sovereign state, as n
member of the great American Confederacy.
and as individuals, he has made us partici-
pants.
Although Gratitude claims no extraor-
dinary merit, forming as it does, the basis
OF social happiness, and lying at the foun-
dation of mans obligations, as hr is rela-
ted to his NJ aker, and to his fellow man,
yet Ingratitude, ever among uncivilzed ma
tons, has ever been held a detestable crime.
La vrtuous mind 1t springs up sponta-
neously at the reception of benefits, and it
is by no means designed, by the observance
of periodical public " thanksgiving" that
we are not, or should not be, habitually
thankful. But in this, as in every other
professed affection, mems principles are
tested by their fruits; and the design of
this appointment is, to demonstrate the IL
mount of the feeling exercised, by the
amount of returns made, in specific way,
namely acts of benificcnce.
II is right, and proper, aud consonant
with the cultivation of the best of feelings
and principles, to enjoy in reasonable
measure, the festivities incident to this sen
son. The re-assembling, at the paternal
board, of the members of family, who.
during the year have been separated, excrts
onthcm happy moralinhuencc:--strenglh- h
ems the ties of kindred-blnds together the
component parts Of these little communities,
which struggling single and alone, would
more easily be sundered and prepares
them to meet, with renewed frmness the
pressure of life's burdens. There is hap
piness in such little circle. As each re-
enters the dwellin of early years,and meet
the parental blessing, and the cordial greet
mo of the others,-as the story of the past
years Joys, and the past years trials and
sorrows is told, the frightened eye, and
Gladstone smile of the listeners speak of
their rejoicing in the one, and the kind look
and willing tear give earnest of sympathy
with the other, there is II chord touched,
which vibrates to every heart, and tells of,
at least, one happy day.
And it is right and proper, for friends to
/ ioin friends at the festive board, and culti-
yate those kind feelings, which form so
large portion of the sweet, in life's bitter
cup.
! In such circumstances, 1t is easy to say,
and To believe ourselves honest in saying,
that we arc grateful TO kind Providence.
( But all do not share in these blessings. The
moor and the needy amo,g US. To them,
perhaps, the year has been one of unmln-
gled privation. TO relieve the necessities
of the destitute is The most palpnble form,
| in which TO express a grateful sense OF our
owr mercies. Let those, then, whose well
filed cup demands gratitude to its houn'e-
Gus Giver, by their liberality to the poor
cye them cause for the exercise of the same
emotion, and the morrow will be indeed
day of Thanksgiving.
Ax,N,I. MAGNErIsM.-Publc attention
has been called to this subject, IN conse-
uuen &c of an account of some experiments
mode on a Somnambulist in Pawtucke'
iby Doct Charles Poyen, which have beer
,,,h,;sb,d in the Pro, ,idence Journal
IL 4. r....I No.,