Weekly national intelligencer., 1853-11-26
TODAY.

The time-honorcd observance of the good Puritan
Fathers, now become custom of our whole country
in appointing one day in every passing year for the
thankful commemoration of the blessings with which
it has been crowned, is which commends itself to
the appreciation of every rightminded man. If there
were no God, and no providential government Of
the world, it would still be measure dictated by
sound craftsmanship and knowledge of the human
heart to assemble the people, from time to time, fol
the united remembrance Of whatever of good they
may have together enjoyed. It's tendency obvious
ly is to make the citizens of country feel theil
common relation to the land that gave them birth
and their individual stake in all its veal and wo
and, natural result, to strengthen the ties that
bind them to each other. But if there be God
and Providence, then is its fitness doubly obvious
There is also something of moral grandeur in the
unconstrained, unanimous act Of free people in
agreeing on an appointed day, to render public
thanks for benefits received from their Maker
Their own subordinate agency, and the combined
agencies Of other conspring secondary causes, bates
nothing from what is due to the Great First Cause
from whom are all things The general conviction
of this great truth gives dignity and strength to ma
tional character.
1t is, therefore, with qualification that we have
noticed the general consent with which, in SO many
States Of our wide and happy Union, this day has
been recommended by their several Executives foi
such fit and becoming purpose. We presume the
recommendation will meet with general and cheer
full compliance.
Nor do we at all object to the association with
the religious observance of the day of that decent hill
arty which has ever characterized the OCCASION and
rendered Thanksgiving Day, as it has long been
throughout New England, joyous epoch in the
brief years of our children. There are no joys like
family joys; none so pure; none so refreshing
none so healthful in their tendency When fami
lies rejoice the land is glad. Nor could there, we
apprehend, be readily conceived more beautiful
simple, and touching celebration than that which
the Divine wisdom appointed to ancient Israel, in
the observance of the Feast Of Weeks at the season
of the rst-ripe fruits, and the Feast Of TaJeraacles
at the final ingathering of the Jewish harvest As
sembled in shady bowers on the terraced roofs OF
their own houses, each family together, partakine
the overfowing bounty of the year, the fruit and
the reward of their own toll and, while thus en-
gagged, commanded by the Father of Charities to
remember the destitute and send portions to the
poor. And would it not add to the grace and to
the JOY of our own festivity, day like this,
we to welcome the spirit of a precept so truly di-
vine, and endeavor somewhat to adopt and to act
upon it? There are, alas, but too many homes
among US where Thanksgiving Day" spreads ne
fesal table, and where the youthful part of the ia
mily group associate with the name no gladstone
remembrances. Let the orphans be remembered
Let the destitute among our Sabbath school chill
dren (few, in comparison may they ever be found ,
be visited, relieved, and cheered. A little gift, at
such season, would make its mark upon the heart,
and add few more happy faces to those favored
and rejoicing millions, who, from one extremity Of
this land to the other will this day give God thanks
that they were born Americans, or have been led by
his hand to the American shore.