Smyrna times., 1856-11-19
Thanksgiving Day.


non--the due observance of,which ia certain Of
incumbent upon Us, asa proper and befttine pc
'Pression Of our grstitsde to eeue6cent apd al
'untitpi Creator for the many aud superior bless TT
gs we enjoy ovsr every other part of the world ei
ould we desire more than what we, already IN
njoy' Our liberty is as free as the air tha, C,
re breaths,---we are under no restraints. social nj
or politieally, except such as evary true lpa- al
riot is willing to concede for he good of So o
iety. Our laws are enacted 'ior the public lie
rood, aud shoald be considered as a solemn III
:olnpact beiweep man aud ma n tor the govern 4
nent of their individual actions. We always !
look upon that man with suspicion, who iseter1 r.
aally ranting about unjust and oppressyelaws, ID
abridgment lof liberty, &c. II evinces sell
fshness and contracted mind. totally devoid of
those broad, comprehensive and philauthropic
views which swell in the heart of the good
citizen to love of mankind. prompting thereby
deeds of kindness and personal sacrifices for
the good OF those who. by such means, may be
checked in the paths Of error '.. ".7.'
In no country isihere s0ch an unlimited ex-
tent Of religious libertya as in this. No pontif-
cal decrees no penal interdicls, no monarchical
criptions--every man is allowed to worship
God according TO his own conscience, and under
his own "vi and fg tree" with none TO mo-
lest OF make, afraid. With nearly every con-
ceivsble mode of worship, and variously inter-
preted points of doctrine and faith-all engraft-
ed on the word of God-e,ery mind, however
peculiarly. if in,elligently, biased, can find
people with whom he may unite in bonds of
christian love and fellowship With many, in-
deed, il is question, if our religious privileges
are not too great. The. mind grows careless,
forgeiful and negligent, and almost ceases TO
regard the hand thstextends the priceless boon.
Is Hot the christian plant invigorated and
strengthened BY the tears of sffiiction, though
they may seem grevousi The giants in the
Gospel hive been those who have had to fight
through fire and water, coatending every inch
Of the way. Though the church has exhibited
more vitality when "hemned in on every side, :"
yet, to the grateful and appreciatise mind. we
know Of no condition of society better adapted
: to the growth aud spread of christian principles
. than such as We enjoy in this country. AL.
, though we are 81 paramountly biest in all tina,
> pertains to liberty of conscience, set, in all
!. that tends to make q free and happy people, we
! are equally fasored-lberty of speech, great
. national prosperity. an assiduous cultivation o.
letters, public facilities for general education
n healthful state Of morals, and peace and com
: mercisl friendship with every nation on th,
!, Globe. Where 10 there nation that owes sucl
u a debt Of gratitude to that God who preside
over the destiny of nations. Verify. we seen
4 TO be the chosen people Of Gsd," over WHOM
il is extended an especial care and protection
l. How many there are who psrtake greedily Q
- all the bouuties. without a moments reflection
10 upon the sources from whence they come. o
ic without an iota of gratitude to Him who is $
W lavish in the bestowment Of good gifts. LIZ
., us, then, instead of looking upon j, as matte
a Of form, aud making the day an occasion G
.e ffolic, hilarity and sporting, unite in heart
and humble praise" to Him who has been 9
le mercifhl in the past, and humbly beseech HrI
SO to continue HIS favOrs to us, as nation and
r. people, in the future.
'g FUNERAL or Hos. Joas M. CLArrox--Th
= obsequies of the late John NJ. Clayton, too
h' place on Thursday afternoon, at 3 o'clock, I
- Dover, where he died. The order of the pr
~ cession was as follows:
ne 1. The underiakers. 2. The reverend Gle
y gy. 3. Physicians. a. Chief tnourners--H,
u w. M. Meredith, Hon. James A. Bayard, Ho
ID J, Wales and Hon. p. SpFuance. 5. Pall-bea
ng ers consisting or Chancellor Jones, Chief Ju
oy ice Harrington, Judge Hall, aud Capt. Fra,
ny DUPONT, u. 8. W.. Then followed the hears
NV with the corpse Of the deceased statesman. a
'n- tended by his faithful and attached person
cir servants. 9. Bearers, consisting of Gov. Caus
no Ex-Govs. fiazzard and Polk, Judge Woois
10 Judge Houston, William, ID. Lewis, Gene,
sre Groone, and Morton McMichael. Z. The b
- Of Delaware. 8. The family relatives of 4
en- deceased. 0. Parsons from distance, amo
ore whom were Henry C. Carey, Charles Clip
ns, C. DuPont, Capt Ilollins. U. 8. N, Jad
In Milligan, President Newlin, Professor Por
ger and many others as moarners. 10. A lar
.-- procession Of citizens from all party fihe Sta
dly Mr.. Clayton was inferred in the burial grou
ing Of the Presbyterian Church, of which he wa
ate member. At the grave, the Rev. IT. G. NJ
the ply. the pastor. performed the last sad rites
ing In his discourse, which was couched in feel
'hi. and appropriate terms. he said that Mr.. Cl
re- ton had, during the last few months Of his !
the become most devout and sincere Christi
g. attentive 10 all the riligious duties. and ful
q faith In the saving influence of Christianity,
pea thai he had been a hrn believer ia chris,iar
han for more than thirty years. and whenever
Viii occasion offered always spoke in its defe
sss aud praise. lie had, for the last two We,
the been turning his mind from earthly ~ heav
TEN " things, and. for several weeks bad been
We huanble penitent al the foot of the eros, part
The Of the sacrament. united himself with
a''o church and professed change Of hear,
Nracas,rtl,. si.,s, u,uh ~. ID u.l....~. a...-