The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-11-24
Thnnksgixing.

Thanksgiving.
If we pause in the midst of our occupa-
tions long enough to reflect few moments,
we will find much that has transpired within
the past year to excite emotions of graft
tude. It is said that blessings brighten as
they take their fight. Meditation makes
them appear equally radiant. This day has
been set apart by the Governors of a ma
jority of the States, as day of thanksgiv-
ing-a day in which the blessings of the
past year should be called to mind, and the
incense from grateful hearts ascend toSthe
Solver of every good and perfect gift-
In the New England and Middle States,
Thanksgiving is becoming one of the most
noted holydays of the year. Even Christ
mas and New Years are giving it pre-
cedence. 1t is emphatically an institution
of the new world, being, in manner, un-
known to the old. 1t is fast becoming the
stated time for the gathering of scattered
families under the roofs of the old home
steads, where, amidst the festivities and hap
piness of those present, the absent and dead
are not forgotten. 1t is the day on which
the cares and anxieties of life are laid aside,
or should be, and the whole mind absorbed
in contemplating what God hath wrought
for highly favored people. Have we
much, as city, county, State, and Union,
to be thankful for2
Our city, during the past year, has taken
a giant stride in her march of improvement.
New houses have sprung into existence all
around us, manufacturing establishments
throw up their black smoke on every side,
and our merchants, mechanics, and day Ia
borers have enjoyed an unusual share of
prosperity. We have not been visited with
either conhagration or pestilence. We doubt
if there be a city within the United States
that has SO escaped from that terrible de-
stroyer-6re, and here are very few that can
boast of such general good health. During
the latter part of the season, many of us
have experienced some difficulty in getting
hold of money, but none of us have failed
of our bread and meat.
The crops in our county and throughout
the State have exceeded the expectation of
the most sanguine, and utterly put to flight
the representations of the spring croakers.
The prices, too, for all kinds of produce, are
such as to abundantly remunerate the farmer
for his toll. This fact should call forth feel
ings of gratitude. Our State is weather.
by several millions than it was this day one
year ago.
AS a nation, we have much to be thank
full tor. At peace with the world, our COM
merce. on every sea, and our enterprise
manifesting itself in all parts of the globe,
Providence seems to smile graciously on all
our efforts, and reward them in a wonderful
manner. While we regret some occurrences
that have taken place within our borders,
they can only be regarded as eruptions in
the body polite which WILL in the end be
more healthy from the disease making its
appearance on the surface. A light spec of
war scenes looming up on our Western
horizon, but wise counsels will speedily dis
solve it. While the nations of Europe have
been engaged in cutting each others threats,
we have been employed in raising means to
sustain life. They may kill one another
if they insist upon it, but they shall never
starve. We have bread and to spare.
Let US mediate upon these things to-day,
and with the recollection of past blessings,
enter upon new duties with hearts melIowed
and hopes buoyant. In our happiness, let
US not forget the poor and unfortunate, but
manifest the genuineness of our thanks
giving, by relieving the wants of the needy
and the afflicted.