Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-12-04
Written for the Journal
THANKSGIVING DAY.

Sfhc COMIC tHTVHSilg DICK as memory Turns
for lis the leaves of life. and points rs TO one
Page in every year upon which is chronclcd
"THANKscivrSG," with its picture of tie home
festival, and its social Joys.
Cur thoughts G, back on this day to the
time when the Puritan, fathers, raising their
hearts in thanksgiving for full harvest, set
apart day to lie devoted to His praise who
had called them through darkness aud trial TO
the New Land, where they could erect in
pence their own affairs for His worship. with
the Wild waves of the sea tossing between
them and the scenes Of the prosecutions from
which they had fed TO His praise who had
preserved them from the dangers of the deep,
amid all the perils of wintry wilderness. and
savage foe, and fears of famine. and at last re-
I warded the labor they bestowed upon tie
/ earth, with abundant stores Of bread.
/ Surely there would have been an added fer
4 ror n their thanks that day, could they have
sent a glance through the opening vista of the
! future, and bthcld tie many anniversaries
5 that, since then, have been welcomed with
mlrth and fcasiing in every household Of New
/ England.-New England, popu,o1s, rich, and
I fair; not the lonely realm of Nature on the
/ shore of which the Mayfowcr folded her wea-
+ ry wings.-and become holiday, recognized
through all the breadth of The happiest nation
of the EARTH and remembered by wanderers in
+ foreign lands, who turn with fond W ishes TO
/ well known scenes.
Ir, inc hoe o1xr-1~- Il
which all unite to do honor to the housel old
gods upon which sons and daughters gather
at the old homestead to foster the gentle AZTEC
lions of The domestic circle. We Lave eight
fl memories ofsUch reunions. looked forward
To with childish cagerness ofanticipation and
hauled with gladness.
We remember how joyously the bells broke
upon the stiffness of the morning air. calling
to Inc house of woIshio ,: and We bring before
The mind the table. spra ad with variety of
delicioas viand5 where families and kindred
/. met with kindly cheerfnlne s. that ma lie it a
{ banquet for the soul. and if there was time
i when every flce pi / away lis look of c%Tc,-it
was when al mingled in f:ee and friendly
s converse, -whcn thank Offerings rose like in
cense f.om haI ny homes and gacty winged
the passing hours.
Then at evening there were merry games for
the chld!en. and sometimes for those of lar
ger growth. and eve'. grandpaPas have be-
come boys again, to SPEND
''One hour of youthful joy"
and when the festivities were over, old and
Young la1sed into rosy dreams with sweet re-
membranes TO carry into the future years.
As we recall these things. there PASS before
us N mag irat;on the forms IF friends who
Lallowed these "reminiscences, again we are
with 1.-THE old folks at home" in the old flTil-
lar mansion. and we see the dear grandmother
with her silver hal Parted from face which
always wore for us placid smile Of welcome
E md he. who by her side is softly treading
down the rath of life. We think Of many ah-
sent ones. whose hands we would gladly clasp
bet for the miles that intervene ; and We re-
member some, the music of whose laugh was
once clearst in the sav group, and whose low
ing lips met Ours with walmest touch-but be
tween them and Us lie The Dark Valley and
the Cold River. and they cannot come to Us,
& nor go to them,-not yet. we must vat for
the "hoatman pale"
But let not Thanksgiving be forgotten this
wear. thou Oh the Nation is troubled. and anx-
ious bosoms are filled with ar and trembling.
Tlors b or glorious cli Ship Of State is
riding stormy s a. let Us trust that she is rs
s:aunch as when Washington was her COM
manGer and tEat the good tin bers chosen Ivy
Franklin and !, fTeIson will brave in safely
the flaming pillows let Us remember that
the Constitution is Ter chart. Truth her COM
pass aad Patriotism at the h I'm ;-rejoicc that
she is guidcd by firm hands and defended by
loval hearts = and above all Let US not forget
tat there is Cne who holds the winds in the
hollow of his Land and bids the angry waves
be sill.
Ler rs be thankful fnr the blessings that are
given Us. During all the year that is soon 10
close. we have been visited by no pestilepce or
famine. bat bright. eyed Plenty came from
bountiful harvest fields and sits smiling at our
boards.
Theee will be many vacant places that will
have sad voices to-day, speaking of those who
are far away and tears i'll spring TO many
ewes in the midst of all the joys of home at tie
thought of loved ones. who sit i'll drcary tents
rartaking of a soldiers fare. bit surely proud
emotions will mingle with the sorrowful at
the idea that all these loved ones form the
shield flat the assassins dagger cannot pierce
over the breast of our common mother-oul
beloved country.
If any are too much oppresse for the accu'
famed mcrriment. let them remember those
whom they have the power to glaiden-tle
moor and the afflicted. In our great cities there
are "orphans who must earn their bread ano
there may Re. surrounded by luxury and hap
piness. cold he,rthstones by which stan =
Want, phantom of dread. and they whf
can sen warmth and brightness to ono suci
isanac, viii render thanks with an earnest
saeaninr in them. We trust there ara 20