The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-11-30
SOC, 900 sterling.
In Italy the Pope has instituteda Counsel
of State, but the country was much agita-
ted and the Austrians kept possession of
Ferrara.
THE GALAXY.
MIDDLEBURY,VT.
Tuesday, Nov. 80, l847.
THANKSGIVING.

humanity and religion, and the cultivation Of all
those virtues which adorn social existence, and
at this season of the ingatherng of the fruits Of
gratitude to God for the unspeakable mercies with
which he is yearly crowning the path of our exis-
tence. This admirable custom originating in
New England is now followed in nearly every Sec
ton of our country. On the 25th instant twenty
five of our sister states celebrated this glorious
occasion. More than l2 millions of people then
raised their united and joyous aspirations to the
great giver of all good.
While the whole human family even under cir
cumstances of extreme calamity can find sufficient
for tlankfulness to the great almoner of our race,
how powerfully should these sentiments inspire
the hearts of a people whose home overfows with
plenty, whose blood runs comparatively free from
the faint of pestience and who even while defying
the laws of God and man in wagering an unjust
and bloody war against a neighboring republic,
ravaging her provinces and poluting her very
fresides with the blood of her citizens are the OBJ
iects of his unbounded mercies and forgiving kind
ness Even the plague spot of slavery so unfor-
tunately entaied and so zealously defended by its
advocates in certain sections Of our country has
not provoked the Almighty to deny to US the full
enjoyment Of those free and happy institutions
which we have inherited FROM our fathers, and
which secure to the possession Of civil and rcli
gious freedom in the government Of our choice
together with the precious advantages ofeducation,
and of the cultivation Of those moral virtues and
intellectual accomplishments which elevate and
adorn h.man nature, and rcnderthis the most free
and enlightened nation on the globe.
Let us then still rejoice ana give thanks for the
blessings which forgiving God still permits
TO Iemain within our borders, GROWING
the passing year in the abundant harvest We
have garnered, in the success of private industry,
in the advancement of public prosperity, in the
lm ,yovements OF education, and we almost dare
to trust in an increasing attention to the interests
of our immortal being.
Let us also rejoice that as citizens Of Vermont
those noble enterprises of internal improvement
which have augmented so much the wealth con-
venience and prosperity Of other portions Of tlie
country are rapidly approIimating towards COM
petion in this vicinity, thus enabling US to multi
DIV the industrial occupations Of our citizens and
add to the ease comfort and embellishments Of So
cisl existence But while we thus eXult with
gladstone hearts in the multiplied gifts Of benii-
cent providence, let do so with fear and tremb-
ling. Every truly magnaninous American sick
ems at the enormous sins which are now justly
shargabc upon the nation. Such heart starts
back with horror in view of Lat rstrt stvc Justice
which never fails to visit rstional Offences. Up
on the celebration Of this day with what bitter in-
gradients must the cup CT our festivities be dashed
when We contemplate the appalling consequences
of that war which is now carrying carnage rspine
and coshagrascn throughout the borders Of sis
ter republic.
But it is not sufficient for US to raise voices
to Heaven in praise and thanksgiving. This day
is of all Others most appropriate to open tle hand
Of cL.rity in relief Of the afflicted. AS Dr. frank
lin has expressed it, "tke best way to manifest
our gratitude to God is to relieve the miseries of
his creatures" Let us then visit the shodes ofthe
poor and the afflicted of every description admin
istcriRg she balm of consolation 10 the unhappy,
and iHparting to them portion of those blessings
which providence with kindlsr hand has confer
rcd upon u.s. Let US teach even the widowed
mother, and those bereayed Of the cherished OBJ
jccts of their affections, that they have reason for
thanksgiving even amidst the blterest visitaiions
Life strength and health are still yours, ysur day
of probation is not yet closed, and the spirit of
mercaul God may draw yo. With iirIner faith
and the cords Of a truer love onward and upward
anti; you arc at last permitted to enter the para
disc above.
Finally, constantly let us rejoice under all civ
cumstanccs whether of prosperity or adversely
The pressure of want, life Of disease or even the
severance Of the dearest earthly ties should not
impede the warm current Of our gratitude to that
being who makes the sun s.ill to rise, and with
his trtslizing rays causes the earth to yield its
customary abundance for osr comfort and subsis-
.ence Let us cherish perfect confidence in the
experimenting providence Of great ruler CT the
universe; and while We cultivate grateful feeling
for his numberless temporal bencfactions, let us
endeavor by obedience to his laws to secure to
ourselves an inheritance beyond the grave worthy
the immortal spirit which he has given us.
FEST SNow.-Aher a mild week fall Of
snow with cold wind commenced from the
north on Sunday evening Nov. 22lh, which
gave - at waking on Monday morning the
= bite aInva -, tho ,.indnU "a fall saw or