The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-11-25
For the Literary Echo.
Thanksgiving.

hn u AS8sShu8s
How many joyous remembranccs are
called up as we realize that it is Thanks
giving Day! From early times, to the
honor of our ancestors, this day has been
regarded as one of no small importance.
At this season, when the earth has yield
ed up her burden to the wo thy hus-
bandman, and the dwellings Of all classes
teemed with every luxury,so necessary to
endure the advancing winter, mindful Of
their obligation to a higher p,wcr, and
grateful for these bounti.s, they left the
common avocations Of life for a day,
which they devoted to sacred purposes.
In no instance does the Puritan charac-
ter shine brighter than in the observance
of this sacr.d festivisy. Dead though
they may be, they live in this, as in
numerous other customs now observed,
OF their adoption. The spirit which
actua;ed them, still exists in the bosoms
of th.ir SUCCESSORS, aud our wise rulers
in compliance with m annual custom
have set apart this day for public thank
giving and family convocation. Yes (!
joyous, time-honored festival with all its
hallowed associations has again arrived.
How fondly do We cherish the memory
of such days of our youth, when happy
band gathered around the grandsire's 5
frsside, and greeted with his welcome
smile, f asted on the viands furnished
by his bcnefcent hand, while friends
long absent from each other, mingle in
harmony, and children joined hands and
hearts to swell the innocent glec.
Many parents heart will be glad
dened by sight of their former care :.
and many brother or sister will be
cheered by the greeting smile of those
who have not met since the last Novem-
Der gathering. But while man may
thus rejoice, the fowls and the
beasts may mourn the destructive pre-
parations for this happy day.
As you sit in your rooms surrounded
by every luxury, partaking Of the festive
viands, think by whose bones and sinews
they were purchased Remember each
class who have fu' nished you the past
year with the necessaries of life, and as
your labors have yielded a bounteous
harvest, extend your beni6cent hand to
supply the wants of the poor and needy,
for by so doing you open fountain of
Thanksgiving from hearts noble and
generous, showeling blessings on your
heads.
But the sad countenance and the
sable dress tell the sad and unwelcomc
truth that, loved and loving one is abb
sent. Yes ! the huge drapery hung over
the nation, tell US Clay ond Webster are
no more. While we mourn with them
who sadly remember those, who, on the
last annual feast, filed now vacant seats,
we rejoice with them whose family cir
cles are unbroken and who meet to en-
JOY this day, as they review the kindness
Of Heaven, so marked in their prcserva-
ton.
Ye whose privilege it is to labor, cele-
brate this occasion with thankful hoarts
hat the season has been so favorable for
work No bowling tornado, no severe
blasting winds Of the north or snowy
mantle has checked your enterprise or :
your instruments of labor.
No jarring discords Of State have
'ncumbered our governments, no motley
lrmies in savage desperation have raw
'ged our country, but peace and plenty
'eign throughout our republic. Ii