The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-11-26

sat apart by the President Of the United
States, as we'll as by the Governor Of our
State. as . day Of thanksgiving and prayer.
The comprehensive and devout spirit
bfeathes throughout these proclamations,
whilst it leaves no room for thoughtles 8
comment, appeals to all the purest and
deepest associations of the soul They
hint, 10 few words, at the special causes we
have for this special season of thanksgiving;
they appeal to the hearts of the people
with an unaffected sincerity which cannot
be withstood.
Let it be remembered to-day by every
citizen Of the nation, whether he be at
home or abroad. on sea or on land. whether
he be sitting by his own areside, or whether
far from the scenes of his loved ones he
wanders on q distant shore, that he individ-
ually, as man, as a citizen, as lover of
his family, his country and his God, has
something for which to offer up thanks to.
day, rather than duplication. Reviewing
the past year, remarking the fertile fields,
the te.ming harvests, and the lifs-bsstow-
ing skies, and all other consecutive mercies
which follow in their train, be may bless
the Hand that poured this richness Ger
the scenes he broods upon-that lavish
Hand, holding all earth and ocean within
its palm, forever pouring forth and never
growing empty. Whilst swords and spears
have indeed been busy in the battlefield,
the ploughshares and pruning hooks have
been active in the harvest fields of home
Whilst those have indeed been helping to
decrease the population, these have been at
once the cuase and Ithe effect of its palpa-
BILE increase.
The memories of this Thanksgiving Day
will be those of JOY and sadness eommln-
sled, 1t will be pleasing thought that
thus far we have preserved peace with other
nations. And whilst harmony has thus
prevailed between US and the nations across
the ocean, order has been preserved In
Northern homes, and in in our city. Dark
tints. however, shadow the picture present.
ed to msmory's eye. Those who have fall
en- upon the battle field, or who have Ian
guished in hospital and tent, claim more
than a niche among the statuary OF the
past. They fill large share IN those glori'
Gus corridors, as they will fill still larger
space in the sun-lit gallery of the future.
Their deeds are to be glorified their sui
fsrings are to be lamented; their memory
is to'be held forever sacred; themselves are
to be enshrined as nothing but such death
could enshrins them, in the hearts Of the
American people The hearts and homes
with which they are most intimately con
nected cannot be altogether tranquil and
resigned amid the memories and time hon.
ored observances of Thanksgiving Day
Before many eyes u present will fall like
a black, impenetrable veil, sprinklsd, per-
baps, with bright stars of distant remiDis-
cences. But the future and past should be
,oined together in the contsmplations we fi1
upon them. Let US hope that the Ounipo-
tent JEHOVAH will speedily restore peace
and tranquility in all our borders let US
rely upon Him, and we cannot but look
forward with joy
In places of worship for prayer and praise;
ID quiet country homesteads, where scarce
a sound breaks through the woodland still
ness; in busting, teemiDg cities; in lonely
woods, and By almost forsaken sea shores;
along shipping coasts, and faI out upon the
deep; in every quarter throughout the length
aud breadth Of the earth, will 90 up to
Heaven one voice Of one people. And
whilst we mourn the sins of the past,
ceiling that
The rapture d pardon is Mingled with fears,
and the cup of,thanksgiving with penitent tears,t
We may yet look with unainching trust
toward the future, and with unshrinking
eyes toward that oeneicient Power who
hath led us thus far ON our progress