The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-11-27
Thanksgiving.

Though this annual feast day finds the Nation
engaged in a fearful struggle for its very exist
e1ce, and suffering in many of the ordinarily
successful pursuits of business, there is yet
cause for devout and heartfelt Thanksgiving,
and the time honored almost sacred, New Eng
land festival should be kept this year as of old,
with gratitude and praise. An abundant crop
has blessed the abors of the husbandmen. Our
fields have produced enough for our own wants,
enough to feed the hundreds of thousands of
soldiers OF the Republic, who arc standing by
our Government and its Flag and there is, be-
side enough to supply the millions of the Old
World, who come to our shoes Tor breadstufs
to exc out their own scanty harvest. II there
are in some portions of the Country, more than
the ordinary cases Of want, caused by the in
te1rnl ions and rrostration of business upon
whici, many depended for livelihood, this very
want has developed and brought to the light
noble and patriotic charity, individual as well
as public, which is an honor to the Nation, and
of itsel! is c4nse for pious gratitude.
And We can find abundant reason 10 be thank
full tor the magnificent and unparalleled eXhi
billion OF patriotic ardor. that has brought into
the field, in defence Of our Free Institutions,
more than half million OF the free sons of
the North, the Grand Volunteer Army for the
defence OF the Constitution and the Union. A
more sublime spectacle than this mighty army
=
come, Of its own free will in response to the call
of the Government for succor against the enc
mics OF Freedom. will he sought in vain the
world over and history has no record that az
fords y parallel. proves how widely and how
surely lie principles Of the Pilgrims have been
sown and taken root, from the Rock Of
Plymouth to the golden gates of the peaceful
sea, and how cheerlully life blood is now offered
as Of old, 10 defense OF Religion, Liberty and
Law and as we keep the Pilgrim Festival We
will glory in this evidence that the principles
as well as the customs of our ancestors have a
home among us.
Ga this day, too, we will praise the Great
Disposer Of events that lie has not suffered our
enemies to prevail against US through the subtle
and dangerous methods of compromise and
peace, but tina. he has given to the North the
heart, tho strength, the mind, and the will, to
resist even unto blood, the encroachments Of "a
domineering caste. and an arstocracy based
upon the wicked heresy Of property in man
that the nation was aroused from lethargy
which had proved almost fatal before its locks
Of strength had been fully shorn, or its vision
destroyed, and that it has at last been put in an
attitude of armed hostility to the advancement Of
the power of Slavery. Slavery" the black
marble cap. stone" Of the rebel Coniederacy-
stands now revealed, as by the touch of the
spear Of Ithuriel, in all its devllsh proportions
and hideous delormity. and has dared to join bat
tie with Liberty herself and we thank God 70,
the hope we hive that the black demon will now
be driven out finally and forever from its powe
on this continent Slavery dies The Republic
lives. Let US give thanks. LIT us shout 70
JOY.