The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-11-29

ANDREW FLETCHER, of iSaltom thought it worth
while to record the observation of some nameless
friend of his to the effect that balad-makers have
much more influence upon mankind than those
who frame the laws. The remark has been
frequently quoted with appreciation by SEN
timental philosophers, and yet there could not
well he a greater mistake than to suppose that
either laws or ballads are more than the express
sion of pre-existing ideas, habits or social wants
The root of every national song or national nsti-
tuition had struck deep into the popular heart and
will, long before it budded and bloomed and
bore the fruit of poem statute. Whatever force,
therefore,. exists in the ballad makers arr, is
Of g rcactve and conservative rather than
of a positive and creative character; and the
same thing, in general may be said of legislation.
The feelings which prompted thes song are recalled,
and perpetuated whenever it is repeated; and
the institutions, which were first but fitted TO the
form of antecedent needs, become the mould and
shane of the future national existence. The festi-
walls, religious or secular, of people are also part
of its unwrtten poetry-ts social history-deliv-
cred by tradition from generation to generation.
would have pronounced the originator of a ma
TONS holidays quite as potent as the maker OF
its ballads. We celebrate, to-day, by appoint
ment of the civil authority, festival of peculiar
character, and of comparatively modern origin. In
the second volume of PALFREY's History of NeoU
England now passing through the press, it is said,
referring TO the origin Of Thanksgiving day, that
the periodical days and feast days sancfed by
the ancient of the Church scrupuousy
disregarded and dicouptenanced in New EncjanJ Rnt
special occasions fasts and thanksgivngs were fire.
oueny observed by the whole community or by single
churches and after time in place of Good Friday and
of Christmasday Fast Day regularly kept at
season of annual planting, and feast day (Thanksgv
ing) at the time of the in-gatherng of the harvest"
In no case has the spread of New England ideas
been made more manifest than in the universal
adoption throughout the Union of this secarian and
puritanical holiday. Originating, as we perceive,
in the intolerant and sefrighteous spirit, which,
more than anything else, made the pilgrims of
Plymouth set up themselves against the world in
all matters of faith and practice-aimed especially
at the overthrow of such supersttions as the OBJ
servance of Christmas-day and Good-Friday,
which, in the beautiful spirit of Christian
reverence were appointed in everlasting remem-
brance of the birth and death of the SAVIOUR, and
substituting for these the rationalistic or pagan
commemoration of the seed time and the harvest
this day of thanksgiving has risen from the rank
of derided custom of provincial fanatics to that
of the favorite festival of great nation South
Carolina, while in the very act of protesting and
rebeng against the political philosophy Of New
England, acknowledges her mechanical genius in
every stage of the preparation she is making for
resistance, and invokes the God of battles
against the North, on the day sanct6ed to
Heaven by Northern appointment. In COM
mentng on so remarkable an example of the
propagation of Puritan principles let us not
be understood rs Directing to the observance.
1t is good thing to cease from toll once in WHILE
and employ portion of this leisure in a proffer of
thanks TO Heaven for mercies vouchsafed and ca
lamities withheld or softened, or by divine wis
dom and benevoence converted into blessings. If
from New England, has proceeded in this ordi-
nance, lie of national brotherhood so strong as is
common national holiday, let New England be
thanked; yet who can shut his eyes to the fact
that in worshipping upon this day. and in eating a
better dinner than perchance, he sat down to yes
tcrday or may find tomorrow on his board, each
selfsuifcient seIf-assertng, creative, laborious
and Omnpresent and prevailing Yankee
Wefear, however, that our Eastern brethren who
to-day, with us, are celebrating Thanksgiving
will not find it such a one as it has proved in some
OF the days gone by. The crop of pumpkins,
truly, has not failed; but though this in itself may
be thing TO thank God for, among people who
are addicted 10 crown the affairs of their gratitude
with offerings Of this most delicate vegetable
though every family in all New England may
have turkey in the pot or, peradventure, upon
the spit this day-we doubt whether fowl or
'long sauce will have, altogether, its accustomed
aEsF On S9nsAAG 4f u gtfae E S las er t 10 ache
been pleasant and profitable season, when the
descendants of the Pilgrims met together on the
Pilgrims soil, and rendered heartfelt thanks that
they were not rs other men, nor even as these
shareholders. Refreshing and comfortable was it
for them then and there, to repent of all the
sins Of all the rest of mankind, ana offer up their
own merits in Precipitation of offended Heaven
Yet we doubt whether to-day all this will be done
or, if attempted whether the oblation will be Of
fered in the accustomed form, with the accustomed
faith. We fear our Puritan friends will mistrust
that their godiness is no longer great gain, and
that with the delicacies of the season will be min
gled the wholesome but unpalatable pasty called
"humble pie" If so, it will prove the most
blessed ofal the annual times of Thanksgiving and
prayer that in the progress of the seasons have ever
dawned upon fair New England. flour shrewd and
calculating and conscientious friends will only for
this day put aside the selfimposed duty of hunting
down and exposing the errors and shortcomings
of their brethren, and examine their owl hearts
to purge them of envy, hatred and malice and all
uncharitableness, it will not be day idly or un-
probably spent. For ourselves, let it also be a
season Of calm and religious meditation. Let us
dwell on the blessings We have enjoyed on all
sides-but most of all, on those which have been
showered upon us through the government under
which we have hitherto lived as one nation. Let us
remember these as blessings which may not be ours
when another year shall bring again the old season
OF Thanksgiving, and pray that so dire calamity
for us and for all men, may be averted now and
forever