The Georgetown news., 1855-11-29
Thanksgiving.

To-day is the day set apart by the ap-
pointment of the Governor, to be observed
throughout the State as day of thanks
giving and prayer to the Great Ruler of the
Universe, for the manifold blessings he has
been pleased to bestow upon US as a people.
For much, very much, have the people
of California reason to be thankful. A few
years since, probably within the experience
of most of US, all the elements of California
society were involved in chaotic confusion.
Now, a new and better order of things
has been inaugurated. Then, the country
was occupied by transient population,
roaming hither and thither, with no fixed
principles within themselves, controlled by
no statutory law, amenable to the require
ments of no regulated rules of society, aud
checked by no restraining influence of pub
lie opinion, but impelled by a wild mono
mania, which broOked no restraint and
smothered all the better feelings of mans
nature in an Unsuitable thirst for gold.
Now, our population has acquired a char
acteG of stability; families are fast filling
our cities and towns, and are being scat
tered over our agricultural and mining dis
tricts; wise and benefcent laws are now
enacted and their execution enforced and
the dictum of society and public opinion
which are fast assimilating to those of the
older States, is rapidly assuming a sway
over the passions, and appealing effectively
to the better instincts Of our population
The wild dreams of sudden and enormous
wealth, to be accumulated without labor,
and the speculative basis on which all bu-
ness operations have been founded, are fast
giving way to the stern reality that to we'll
directed and earnest industry must we look
for our reward; that the sure road to wealth
and happiness lies through the channels of
legitimate business and honest toll.
The places then occupied by the gam
bling hells which fostered murder and crime,
and melted men to madness, are now re-
placed by edifces dedicated to the service
of the Most High, and to the inculcation of
virtue. The tables of the money-changers
have been overthrown, aad the places of
those who, with bottle of whiskey in one
hand, and pack Of cards in the other. min
istered to the worst passions of frail human
ity, are now occupied by the teachers oflove
and mercy, who hold up to our gaze the
sublime picture of the Atonement on Cal
vary. Schools for the education of the
rising generation of the land, now flourish
where the denS of lewdneSs and infamy were
exposed openly and shamelessly to the gaze
of insulted innocence and virtue. Temper
ance organizations are now exercising a
regenerating influence on the besotted vo-
taries at the altar Of that great demoralizer
of mankind, the Moloch of Intemperance;
and the guiding and sustaining power of
woman is added to hell US onward in the
path of rectitude and honor. Possessed of
a country 0fmoSt wonderful and unbounded
resources; surrounded by all the comforts
and luxuries necessary to render life happy,
and blessed with climate than whichnon
under the sun is more genial, with health,
abundant haryests, and all the elements of
true happiness and substantial prosperity"
what more can we ask? Let US be thankful.