Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-12-05
Thanksgiving.

of civil and religious liberty on this cont
nent 1t was fret institute in grateful recog
milton Of the kindness Of God to that infant col
ony which had transferred to these shores
church without Bishop, and state without
King twas pivotal festivity, looking bacI
and bidding farewell TO ecclesiastical tyranny
and civil despoalsm, aud looking forward am
greeting the advent Of political and religion
freedom as a new power in the world. For thesc
reasons Thanksgiving has always had hold il
New England that it has in vain tried to get il
Other parts OF the country. Here it is Indigenous
1t belongs to the history Of our people, and it
thickly clustered with the liyiest historic AM
prophetic associations.
Bat now Tor the first time in the history 0
our country, this peculiarly local festival ha
become nationalizod The President has seizec
the functions Of the Governors, and has Dc
cared that universal which WAS once only loca
and limited A New England Thanks living ha
become an United States Festival, as the princI
pies which it first recognized have become The
principles Of the whole and. The grateful fee
tIval extends as the blessings Of freedom extend
The Thanksgiving Of eighteen hundred anC
sixty five should be observed with no usual sen
timenta and honors. II gathers with its crate
full ree1lectlons the successful termination o.
years OF saddenng war aud the triumphant es-
adjustment Of our republican institutions on a
permanent and durable bass.
1t brings It's garlands OF honorable and CRATE.
tul memories, and lays them upon the graves Of
those dear and noble dead who have laid down
their lives to perpetuate the principles and secure
the legacies Of our fathers.
IL finds us discussing political ques ions
which do not affect the stability or lite of tho
Government, with an honest and genial warmth,
instead Of narshaling our armies with hot
pa slons in conflict for principles which UNDER
lie the whole structure Of our national exist
tnce.
IL beholds the assuagement Of thos, feelings
which, however natural an necessary, have yet
kept the public mind Tor years in a state of cx-
cited and unnatural and pAlnful tension, aad
divided those whom Providence and Nature had
united.
Il witnesses the beginning Of Union which
has no such occasions Of differences, and no such
obstacles to peace, fellowship and pormanonce,
as have existed in t1e past history of our States.
Isls the recognized natal day of the reneS we'd
Republic
/. SHOULD inspire, therefore, our degout and
grateful praises to Almighty God.
Ii should kindIo our prayers as well as oar
praises, and incite us to such suppcation as
will secure the Divine beneictlons, and lead Us
to build our edifce Of national prosperity in
profound acknowledgment Of our dependence
on God, remembering that unless the Lord keeps
the city tbs watchman waketh in vain.
II should bring us to the refreshing exercise
OF the most loving aud generous sentiments and
affections towards our now PROSTATE foes, 50
that our rec)ncIliltion on right principles may
be as true and intense as was our difference and
conflict.
IL should be nahonll jubilee, calling forth
from all hearts tie intensest enthusiasm of
gratitude and warmth Of iraternal love. For
the lost have been found and the dead have
come to life. There is no reason why the
iattei calf should not be killed and the day cell
ebra ed with music and eastIug and joy. II
day OF cheerful memories, of pleasant associa-
tions and OF confident anticipations.
Nor should it be wanting, as our excellent
Governor suggests, in the peace and content
which alone come through our Lord Jesus Christ
Christian people Is always the strongest. The
national banners that float beneath the blood.
stained cross oil the Son Of God are never destined
to defeat. Ii we maintain our cause it il be.
cause our nation is Christian, because its ioun
dations are built On the principles of the worC
Of God. So long as We retain the love and HON
age OF Christ in our hearts, 50 long shall ",
have all reasons ior joy and thanksgiving. Their,
is a beautiful and quaint old legend Of early
Christian anthology which illustrates the peace
the content, the gratitude and the taanksgyin!
which may be the righdu heritage OF Chris
tian people, and shows how IN our national hab
itation, 10 which ore. now gathered all the mem
bers OF the household, not one wanting, the SUI
may shine Away BY day, and on the night tn
moon, aud gledntss and mlrth gil all our heart
Beyonoe the sea was noble ladie on whost
house allwaye the some shone on the day, ant
on the nlgghte the none. OF this manyo mer
matyoyled. Ate last the fame OF this come t,
the Blshope, a worthe man, aud be went for t
See her, hoping that she was OF great peaance il
clothing or IN meat or 10 other things. And
when he come he saw her allwaye merrie and
glad The Blshope said, Dame what eat ye
She answered aud said divers meats and delicate
Tnen he asked her II she used the hair1 She
ayde, Nay. OF this the Bishope maryayeC
greatly hat God would show 81 great maxwell,
for such woman. And when he had taken BIZ
leave of the ladie and was gone his way, h,
thoie he would ask her more of another thing
and wente again to her and sayde, Love ye no
much Jesu. Christ? Yes. | love him lor he i,
all my love, Tor when thinke Of bis sweetness
cannot withodo myself Tor the gladnes1 aud
muth Of my heart"
-.-.-
THs FrH or TnE AMAzoS-That Creates o
living naiuralsts, Pfoi Asassil, who is cxplot
ing the mighty and yet but partially know
Amazon, has already reported his discovery o