, 1864-11-24
Chicago Gribn1re>
THANKSGIVING"

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER p. 1854.
THANKSGIVING.
When our people gather To-Day IL 'ns so'~
cmu assembly to pour ont tne1 aeaFS IN
1,ra3se nnd thanksgiving for all tae g1ls ana
h1eas,pcs which have crowned the year, FORE
,nost ssd supreme in the thought Of nil will
he tbc great things which He who rules
among the people. and In whose hands are
4bc dcsttnkcs of nations, has wrought ont for
onr land. and the precious tokens, fresh every
morning and renewed every evening, Of his
care md favor toward our beloved country.
That our fields have brought forth their fruita,
md the land its increase; that labor has
found its reward, and business enterprise and
activity haFc gathered up riches In heapcd
abundance; that no pcstllence or plague has
eBcpt across our populous districts, bnt that
health and prosperity hare everywhere
abounded; that science and the arts have
been pushing forward their peaceful con-
quests that education has lost none Of Its
influence or power; that the great enter
priscs and institutions devoted to works Of
bcncYolencc and charity hare been stimu-
lated to new energy and enthusiasm and
that the Christian religion has commended
itself to the world by The patriotic devotion
Of its followers, and tho pure loyalty and
noble sc1f-sacriflce with which they have given
themselves to the cause Of God and their
county; for all these precious blessings and
tender mcrcics it is right that pnre offerings
of gratitude and praise be made to Him from
whom con1eth every good gift.
But more especially to-day Til the remem-
3,1$s ,Sn3,
The last year Inns been wrought ont for our
country, and the sure triumph of Freedom
and the Union which lights with glory the
near future, swell all loyal hearts with deeper
ioy, and I'LL His courts Eith louder songs Of
praise It would not be M easy task to fldd
in nil the recorded history Of the race, an oc-
casion more worthy Of commemoration, for
none can he found with which to all human
ken, the prosperity, progress, and welfare Of
mankind everywhere are more closely bound
up and inseparably blended. The success and
existence Of republican and democratic insti-
tutions, the sway and increasing influence
and spread Of the great principles adopted IN
the immortal Declaration; the freedom aud
equality Of an mankind the establishment Of
equal and exact Justice in all human affairs
an open pathway, On which, untettezrcd by
law, and unllindcrcd by oppression, all na-
tions and people can run in glorious emula-
ton Tho race Of true progress and bcnefcent
powcr Ligh culture, pure truth, true christi
auity and religion, all these, and au the man
ifold and imneasurab1e interests and blessings
which with them only can hourish and endure,
arc inscparably dependent on the success Of
thc cause Of our country in this great conflict.
It should be, then, with no Ordinary gratitude,
md with no feeble words Of praise and joy,
that The people come before Hin, who has led
them safely through all the trials, sut1crine7
and dangers Of the past year, and grants to
them today vision of that great victory
which they are sure to win, If they only
press still onward. From full hearts and With
loud voices let solemn thanks and sounding
praise 70 up to Him who has given Us 80
great success and who now holds up before
Ms the sure promise Of ultimate and complete
triumph.
Il is fit to thank and praise him, for the
epotlcss integrity, the great wisdom, and the
purc patriotism, Of our noble President. For,
oil that under Heaven and with Its inspira-
ton, he l,as been enabled to plan aud achieve
for the destruction of slavery, and the saliva
ton of the country. For the unshaken trust
which the loyal people haye through nil
assaults and agninst every temptation placed
and maintained in Abraham Lincoln and
that they hare heartily approved with such
overwhelming unanimity, lis policy, and de-
termined that he shall continue to cany 1t
forward, and establish 1t, If possible, forever.
For the unfaltering devotion Of the people
to the cause Of the Union and the country !;
that they demand that there shall be no era
ven confessions, and no foul compromise
with treason that the war shall be pushed
on whatever it may cost until rebollion Is
crushed and that they are ready for any
trinls however terrible, for any sacrifices how
ever great, 50 only the country mag be sared.
For all the great achievements and brilliant
victories Of our army and our navy. For the
pure loyalty, the undanted courage, the pa
tient endurance, and heroic deeds Of our sol
dio1s and anflnrs. For the ass,'rance all thas.
give rs that the end is not distant; that TIL:
rebellion shall soon be beaten under Our feet
womb It was gcndercd, shall perish with it
and that our country shall again resume her
place among the nations, with no stain oi
oppression on all her garments, the refuge o.
the oppressed. md the strong rock and de-
feusc Of the poor and the feeble In all lands
To Him who has wrought this great deliver
ancc, and given us the great victory; who
promises to redeem our land from slavery
and who has brought salvation to our country
let ali the people this day bring their most
precious offerings Of pratse and their besi
rhnsan 4rjhtttPs If flfarksoiyifr