New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-08-06
THANKSGIVING DAY.

for a thankful and religious recognition of the
goodness of that Providence which has recently
vouchsafed such signal successes to our arms.
The mention Of Thanksgiving will suggest
TO the minds of many readers holiday of un-
allowed merriment, like those which we were
accustomed TO keep in less distracted and more
prosperous times; and feeling Of involuntary
sadness will pervade the hearts of the sympa.
thetic, as they recall tho almost countless be-
reavements of the past year, and remember
the many homes which the furious passions OF
unjust and sanguinary men have rendered dark
and lonely. But, however numerous may be
our public mislortunes or our private grlefs
we believe that the great heart OF the Loyal
States will find a substantial consolation in
the rectitude Of purpose and the unfnch'
ing devotion to patriotic duty, which
have already lghtencd many heavy
blow, and which, under all vicissitudes, have
strengthened our assurance Of ultimate success
in the great work in which we are engaged.
With the actual presence Of Civil War, We
must expect its inevitable Heterogeneous and
dsappointments. Society, at its best and
while doing its best, is often the sport OF
what for want Of q better word, We call for.
tune; but in no theory Of religion or of philos.
ophy worthy OF these names Is 1t taken for
granted that public justice in the long run
will ever bend. for good and all, before its
opposite. The world is never weary of strug-
IL al
tures of human degradation never quench the
least spark Of human hope. The race every
where feels that no great wrong can be- per-
msnent Were it not for this, history would
be one great bloicb of blunder., teaching US
nothing but despair WeIo It not for this
sense OF their prophetic nature, 1t probable
indeed that man would hardly have thought
il worth while to preserve at all these various
annals. Better no history, than history OF
constant and complete faures'-this would
have been the depending decision
To every reader. mind, this morning, rill
naturally occur many causes Of gratitude. IL
is something. in spite OF the anIie.ics aud SUI
Gerlny which they bring with them, TO be per-
United 10 live ia historic times, and TO watch
with our own eyes the unfolding Of the greater
human destinies-the chaos which always pre-
cedes a new social creation--the actual con
nict TO which abstract theories for centuries
have pointed; it is something 10 see those deeds
with our own eyes, which other eycs shall only
read Of in musty records il 10 something to be
a part. however humble, Of acts which are q
final and conclusive adjustment OF the old
quarrel between truths and lies. These are
before us-tbeso fierce colhsions-with veri-
table vitality which rcpays us for temporary
discomforts and grievous losses Through them
we are permitted TO look with prophetic eyes
into that future which is 10 DO the bitter or
blessed heritage Of our children; and with
every battle won for freedom, we feel that the
chances Of a serene and honorable life are re-
doubled for those We love.
More than this. NO shall also feel, with
hearts full OF gratitude, that, in spite of occa-
sional defeats aud dlsappointments, in spite,
here and there, Of some popular discourage
ments, our massive majorities shrink from any
gnoble conclusion Of this contest. Fretfulne"
and fault.fndiDg are tho ekceptions-a serene
trust is the rule. Those who think that we
cannot conquer in this contest are in mea-
ger minority, decreasing with every day OF
fair intelligence, aud certain to disappear win
our conclusive triumph. 1t is wonderful how
firmly our people adhere to the central idea OF
loyalty. Among so many millions, Of course,
there are many who are dsafected, though
this, with most Of them, means no moro than
that they are Discontinued. But the great
popular body has not receded ono inch
from tho position which it occupied
when Rebellion frat lifted its bestal
head. There are mobs-but they are
easily suppressed. There are disloyal meetings
but they are no more heard of, after their ad-
journment. There arc newspapers which wage
q petty war upon the Goyernment-but their
converts arc few in number and poor In
character. We are as far us ever from that
general disanection at the North, which the Rebel
newspapers predicted with such audacious con-
fdence. Every loyal State yet retains its local
Government, undisturbed in tho least import.
ant of its details. The great Federal Union
is great Federal Union still! We are still
permitted to reap the advantages Of compact
which has only been shaken, aud which is now
demonstrating, in the struggle for existence, its
inherent aud exhaustless vigor.
We have, then, sufficient cause for thanks
giving to-day But if we are only true to the
fortunes of human freedom which are CON-
mitted to our hands, the next anniversary Of
onr festiynl will be Of deeper interest and