New-York daily tribune., 1863-11-26
THANKsGIVING.

Thishas been year Of signal mercies; solemnly
ss il draws to close the President summons the
Nation TO acknowledge them as the gilt OF
God. Mercies signal and abundant; an almost
uninterrupted tide Of military successes and OF
national progress. For the frst time, TO tie
human eye, the Rebellion risibly totte-s to It's
fall, and the victories Of the Union approach
their contamination. The heart Of the nation
beats high with hope; it's purpose strengthens;
it's religious faith is depened; the people sec the
glory which the Heavens declare.
The year dawned with the Proclamation OF
Freedom; the standard which the President up.
furled to place il beside tho National banners
the two declaring that henceforth Union and
Liberty are one and inseparable. II was The
pledge Of the slaves redemption, Of the Ma
tion's repentance, of the Republics salvation.
Militarily and teTritorially there was lttle in
our position that was hopeful. Central Tenncs-
see was not rescued from Rebellion; for Eai
Tennessee and its heroic Unionists there lad
been not even On effort Kentucky was still
oycrrun az will by Rebel martuders. missouri
as q prey to guerrillas, TO malice domestic and
foreign levy. IN Arkansas we had no secure
foothold. Most of Louisiana was hostile.
Texas was abandoned to the Rebels; her
resources were the support Of the Coniederacy'
and her frontiers the open gates OF On immense
Illicit commerce. The Mississippi was still fast
locked--ihe iron grip Of the Rebellion on 'icks'
burg and Port Hudson not in the least looscned.
Tie East LaG witnessed no great victory, no
advance toward Richmond; wos only Lali
cheercd in the Fall of 'G2 By an indecisive sue
cess al Antie,am, and was painfully dishcart-
ened by the defeat Of Fredericksburg. The
blockade Of tie Atlantic ports was scaHdalously
imperfect; the tgade Of Charleston and WI.
mington never so prospectus.
More than oil, the people were discouraged,
disafiec.cd to the Government, seemingly haii
inclined to abandon the contest. They had I'M
patiently sgniicd in recent elections that they
were dissatisfied with the conduct OF the war.
II seemed to be doubtful whether they would
continue to furnish the supplies necessary TO
pursue it. The finances were disordered, gold
al an cUOIfHOus piciuiuiis SoHhuSHN" ." VIZ
solvency Of the Government seriously shaken.
In finance as in politics the efforts Of the Peace
factions were steadily directed to weaken the
Government, and compel it to abandon either
the war, or the policy by which alone the war
could be successful. Look where you might,
tho horizon was in gloom.
What O contrast to-day! The Government Is
once more supported by the confidence OF the
people. The success Of its financial measures
is put beyond. question by their generosity aud
patriotism. The loyal States have declared By
unequaled majorties that they arc unal'erably
for tho war; that they mean to put this Rebel
lion utterly down; the Rebellion, its cause, sup-
porters, sympathizers, and allies. The North haa
net and defeated the most desperate effort Of
the Rebellion, ard the victory Of Gettysburg
has settled that henccforth invasion Is impos-
sible. A National army, overwhelming IN
force, hoyers on the bank Of the Ropldaii, just
ready to cross. Charleston, pestllcnt birth
p,acc of Rebellion, sees its strongest dcienscs
shattered, its trade annihilated, its streets
awept by hostile cannon, and its fall already Inn
pcnding We hold Kentucky, Tennessee and
Missouri, much of Arkansas aud LOUISIANA and