Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-11-24


TH1s is an appointed day of thanksgiV-
ing, and it is no stretch of the Imagination
to believe that no people ever had greater
cause to observe it. Who among loyal
men did not tremble with anxiety as the
time approached in which we should vim
dictate our title to liberty, to our boosted
ability te govern ourselves, or sink into
the imbecility which seems to have been
in ages past the fatality of popular Coy
ernments, and under the pressure of war
and debt and taxes, cry out in an agony OF
despair, like Israel of old, "Giye us a king
let us be like other nations1"
We as people have nobly vindlcated
this title. We have shown that heavily
as the calamities of this gigantic war have
borne upon our people, bringing sorroW
and mourning into every household, We
are not yet ready to cast away the bles-
sings of the past lightly, or to surrender
the cause for which our brethren so nobly
died. The day has passed. We have said
that if we must fall from the dignity OF
a free people-if our country must cease
to be the home of refuge for the groanlng'
toiling millions of the human race, let it
become a despotism with the iron heel of
a Hapsburg tyranny upon it's neck rather
than two warning republics preying upon
each other, until some Napoleonic protege
finds it an easy prey to his ambition. Let
it rather go down like ship struck by the
Storm King, with its every sail set. The
late election has proven beyond cavil that
there is such a thing as people governing
themselves in the true ScriPtural sense
that be is wise and great maR who
rules his own spirit. The universal order
which prevailed presented to the wonder
ing eyes of the world an unparalleled ex-
emple of people turning for moment
from the most gigantic struggle for ma
tional life that ever shook continent, and
with the quiet of profound peace eIecting
a Chief Magistrate without the arm or the
voice of strife being seen or heard
in all the land. That day gave US strength
and dignity in the estimation ofnations more
than hundred victories could have done
without it.
No nation will ever resort to the arbitra-
ment of the sword with such people.
Profound peace will be our lot when
once we have sheathed the sword in the
triumph of right.
Even the bitterest enemies of the Gov
eminent have reason to be thankful for the
result which saved them from calamities
such as even Mexico Affords but meagre
example.
The political contest was short and sharp,
yet that it is over there is no exultant re-
joicings, but the nation breathes freer, seems
to feel that great aud mighty load of anx-
iety has been lifted off its heart, and to-day
it devoutly thanks God for the result. The
Government now occupies position from
which it can afford to act with q magma
nimity becoming the representative of a
great and mighty people. 1t can afford
with parental voice to call upon its erring
children to come back from following
= after strange Gods. If they refuse let the
consequences fall upon them. Upon their
heads and upon the heads of their children
let the blood of this terrible war rest fore
ever and forever.
When their land is trodden as the wine
press and their home is desolate, the ghOs;
of their former prosperity and happiness
rising up in horror from bloody fields and
smoulderiug embers, cannot shake its CORY
locks at it and say, ''tbou didst this"
If they refuse, the President in the Lam
guage OF the prophet can truly say, "Israel
doth not know, my people doth not con-
sider," and future history will justify him
in giving them to their tate.
rurnn arc now two opposi,iou partiss