Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-12-06
Correspondence Of the Waterman.
FROM WASHINGTON.

NOVEMBER 20.
II may not be Of mach interest to mention
that the good people Of this District are en-
Ijoying Thanksgiving day." like our breth-
rem of the States but the event carries us
back some fifteen years when few earnest
sons Of New England resolved that the good
old custom Of the Pilgrim fathers should, if
possible, be introduced at the metropolis and
through the venerable senior editor of the
National IRteHigencer, Col Seaton, then may
or of the city, and friendly to the object. a
lBrt Proclamation was issued To this day
through our city councils, the festival has
been annually observed. much to the Joy and
we believe improvement of our entire com
munity The present has not been behind
| its predecessors. but singular to say the first
observance stamped the day as one wholly of
religious character, which is still greatly
adhered to, but we hardly need tell those
Of the "old school" that New England
ers at least, and particularly Vermonters. have
not, nor are they at all likely to forget the
customary dinner which has been so long and
/ clcyerly interviewer. That part has been as
| faithfully attended TO as the other. and some
/ pains taken TO instruct the initiated in the
taste and science Of those things, without
which the festival would not be complete -
Not in frvilous manner however; for, af-
ter listening to a most eloquent discourse from
a New England divine, the mind blended gra-
ttude with JOY business so evenly, that we had
no heart to proiane any part Of the day or its
observances. SO has come and passed anoth-
er " time h, norcd occasion" causing us TO
hope that the event which recounts all our
blessings may still continue, while at the
same time 1t lifts the heart upwards
The reflections such anniversaries invite,
as often incline us 20 cast our thoughts over
the world when we stand amazed at the pow
er Of our social aud domestic relations. How
closely they bind us together and conducc TO
make life easy and pleasant. What thought,
too, that Of the millions Of inhabitants spread
over the earth, all are divided into families
each living and enjoying, by itself, to the full
est capacity, and yet with entire freedom and
security Then when additional privileges
are required, we find it easy and pleasurable
10 combine in large numbers, and through
such channels make up towns, cities states
and nations. Their, how special days come
in 20 sanctiy the scene every seventh for
Worship those. too, commemorative of some
special event, including Thanksgiving aud
Christmas, and thus all have part in making
up the grand total Of human happiness Is il
not instructive 10 take an annual look at all
the combinations through which our we'll be-
ing is derived Still we fear that too many
Of us think too little Of how we are made
happy; for. otherwise, we should strive more
earnestly TO make better citizens, families,
and nations. But, as whole, we trust the
world is progressive IN an that is good.
Appropriate to this festival also is the sea-
son when we should have a thought for the
poor and the suffering. Many of our world
ly comforts are based on wealth, and ia cities.
where so much real poverty and suffering ex-
lists, we hardly need say that happy are they
who live in the country where their symps-
thies are not tried like as they are with those
in large towns. Here are hundreds Of the
helpless found. cn.aing from all parts of the
world, strangers and without friends. faring
comfortably perhaps in summer when living
is most easy, but porishing in winter under
the severity Of the weather. What shall be
done is a question often asked, but hard to
give 4 satisfactory answer. Particularly will
the present winter be trying one, as most
kinds Of provisions are higher than usual,
and all kinds Of fuel bear an enormous price,
which bears directly upon the poor, but under
| the public patronage of several charitable as
sociations, the sick the injured and aged
we trust will be provided for. Still, the o.
mount Of suffering must be great and the
! thought calls up the large sums Of money
7 annually spent in cities Tor amusements aud
luxuries, that at best, bring back poor
retu n. Could the savings from these pas
times be properly distributed among the des-
ttute. how many Preside would leap with
Joy, and at the same time not really detract
from the comforts of the wealthy. But, alas ,
how few Of the rich have the viii to assist,
while the many who have the will, are desti-
tute Of the means. such is life in cities
And we may also add, that we have not
celebrated the day entirely alone. Several
Senators and members Of Congress from diff
crcnt parts Of our country have already ar
rived. and participated with us in the festivi-
/ ties of the occalon y goodly number from
the army have also Joined Us. but the large
| body of soldiers have celebrated the day in
| their various camps On Monday next Con-
/ gress convenes, and no doubt is entertained
but that quorum will be present in both
branches. and the President message will be
sent in by Tuesday We can in part antici-
pate It's topics. but the war will doubtless give
1t an additional interest hear OF nothing
new outside of kilograms worth mentioning
The army still remains quiet IN this quarter,
and our weather is just now warm for the sea-
sed. though accompanied with rain. Have
not been advised Of the health Of the Vermont
regiments within a few days, being some ten
miles from the city, but we trust favorable.
c.