The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-12-04

hopes. Human skill and strength are of nc
avail, and God is the only hope We read OF
general straiMess and hunger, but, by the
grace of God, we have little observation or ex-
perience of it, We thank God for the general
welfare of our city and State, for in addition to
the promptings of sympathy by which we re-
joice with them who rejoice and weep with
them who weep we know that individual well
fare, our own, is identical with public welfare,
the welfare of others. Our fertile soil is the
source of good to all. and waving harvests en-
rich all. And all can join in q general thanks
giving to-day-all debtors to Gods goodness
We have been delivered from Il cruel appal-
ling danger. which for long months clouded
our sky 1.-The onslaught OF the savage, whose
hate and vengeance endangered !he lives and
paralyzing as this horror of merciless desola-
ton. Israel of old suffered it, and Israel thank
ed God for deliverancc. We are delivered from
q scOurge such as God was wont to inflict upon
his ancient people when their offences called
for retribution. God has given us power to
drive from US the savage, and erect defences
against his attack. Fears are allaycd And as
our fathers on the eastern shores suffered and
gave public thanks to God for the power to
destroy their enemies, SO may we to-day unite
in the same thanks. They w0rshipped God
with the instruments of destruction in their
hands, else they could not worship him at ALL
And they slew the savages like the beasts of
the forest. Read passages from the history of
the war with the Pequod Indians This was
the prOwess and these were the summary mea-
sures which characterized our fathers in deal.
ing with hostile Indians. As their homes were
dear to them, so ours are dear to us. And they
doubted not God blessed them in their endeav-
ors to protect themselves. And two hundred
years of cool reflection on' the part of their
children, have not questioned the justice of
their zeal and their vengeance. In our conflict
with the Sioux we were provoked by the cruel
murder of near 600 men, women and children,
and The desolation of country larger than all
the State of Massachusetts,.
But we must turn to a broader view on this
day-look forth from our immediate home
upon the the theatre of national conflict with
rebellion. We are not permitted to thank
God as we had hoped, for peace restored and
enjoyment of the integrity of the Union. By
the blessing of God we are still hopeful, not
respondent. But it is still WARMTH all of
horror. of corruption political and moral
with all Of passion and blood which belong to
war. We have arms of flesh enough to justify
confidence if we could presume to repose on
them. But bitter experience has proved their
weakness, and we should tremble if this was
our only hope. We have publicly thanked
God during the year for signal victories. We
have been delivered from destructive blows
But the scene of war is only transferred. The
war fingers The appeal is sounded through
the land for substantial sympathy for human
suffering. Suffering and dying thousands--ob.
jects for national charity. And other tens of
thousands ground between the upper and the
neither millstOncs-the freedmen of the war
brought into the liberty of dying uncared for.
And other tens Of thousands still of widows and
orphans, and women and children on the verge
of widOwhOod, Orphanage and poverty. And
where shall we look for deliverance? To poll
ticians-gorged with the spells of their coun-
try and in their new greatness speaking SO
pompously of the commercial prosperity of the
country, with investments of millions on
millions which would be wrecked the moment
that peace is declared. The issue between us
and our enemies arbitrating in f.uitless cam
paigns, and suspended until it is decided by
corruption and wrangling who shall be the
next President or Governor or represent US in
National Congress. Peace embarrassed thou
sands whose wealth and place give influence
wanting no peace-other thousands none ex-
eept on except on extreme terms. Commerce,
agriculture, the industrial arts, never so pros
perous-have blood and bones fattened the
land? feel that our coantry's perils are thick
ening-involved so that God only can extricate
us. Not SO much are our enemies to be feared
as ourselves-internal corruption-civil and
military jealousies. -al u-3t-~
We have felt from the beginning that some
great problem of Divine providence was being
wrought out, and confident of our final deliv-
eranee. We are not thankful for this war but
rather fearful and humbled. Thankful that so
far we are carried on with hope unchilled, un-
firing, with respect to the final issue And
yet committing it to God, as too thoroughly
enyeloped in darkness for our penetration.
Was man to work it out we should yied to de-
spair-but God is at the helm. We thank him
and take courage. n.!3 F1 Ea.rat-.
have already said that this war has afflicted
its tens-its hundreds of thousands; wounded,
crippled, enteebled by sickness; an uncount-
ed host who languish for little sympathy,
even such as common charity may bestow-
who are cheered even by thoughtful remem-
brance, one cup of cordial, one new bandage
for their wounds, one diversion of their minds
And this is the hour for those who are prosper
GUS to be generous. ISL 4'si.t 't-a74s
As we have hoped from year to year, SO we
will look hopefully forward to our next ami
versary of Thanksgiving, and conjure visions
of peace and plenty-live to promote both, and
pray God to realize them to us in substantial
experience. ..s.- .. ,.--..,,s
IN & III n n 70 " a ~