Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1865-12-08
ru.,,o,v,.o D,,couRsa. III

A lHANkSGININo NAoSoSNS
Thanksgiving sermon of the Rev. Dir.
Dunn, pastor of the NJ. 3. Church, in
Virginia City, was an able effort, and the
true spirit of patriotism which it breathes
can not fail to find an echoing response in
every loyal heart. The text was: "GiVing
thanks always for all things unto God,
the Father, in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ."-Eph., 5: 20. The speaker said
the prime origin of the custom Of setting
apart a special day for thanksgiving Is
found in the Bible. In our country 1t
dates back to the time Of the pilgrim
fathers, who, with unshaken faith in the
Almighty were supported by Him through
untold dangers, and showed their true
gratitude by establishing a day sacred to
rendering thanks unto their Maker and
Preseryer. This was appropriately first
| observed in the first church erected by
them. Carlisle has called their advent to
this continent. the advent Of a soul. God
is a God of Providence, and we should
give thanks unto Him as a God of special
as we'll as general providence. The benefit
Of this custom is for ourselves-to stir up
in our minds q realizing sense Of our untold
debt Of gratitude. The speaker eloquently
enumerated many of the blessings for
which we, as a Nation, had reason to be
thankful. Gods cause had been u
Nations cause. Since last W. met on a
similar occasion, white-winged peace had
settled DER our land. The beginning Of
the war found US a mighty nation-its
close found US a mightier. The sword
had not been drawn in vain, and now the
enemies Of freedom were humbly suing for
pardon. We had come out Of the struggle
cleansed Of the foul stain Of slavery. In
this was seen the guidance of the Al
mighty. How could we more appropri-
ately testify our gratitude than by elevat-
ing the colored man to the full rights Of
citizenship. The war had increased u
patriotism. The strength Of our Govern
menti is not in our armies and navies, but in
our patriotism. It is this strength that
drives Congressional chariot wheels. Never
did Americans love America as they do
to-day. We love that which we sacrifice
for; and the parent who has had a son
sacrificed on the altar of his country feels
the soil doubly dear which has drank his
blood. The war had cleared the way for
a spread of education among the masses.
Had The masses of the South been enlight-
ened we should have had no rebellion.
Now, two hundred thousand slaves had
been taught to read. The first ball on
Sumpter cut the chains Of Ignorance. 1t
would be as vain to endeavor to bind the
spirit Of freedom and progression as to
attempt 10 harness a Washoe zephyr. We
were richer in all these things. Our past
four years history was greater than that
of as many centuries Of the old world.
But since our last gathering, the assassin's
hand had stricken down our loved Presi-
dent, Abraham Lincoln. 1t plunged us
all into the deepest gloom, and the whole
world sorrowed with US. But the iniu-
ence Of our second Washington no ruth
less hand could deprive US of. This great
afiiction was permitted by God-perhaps
to add a last curse on the unhallowed
cause Of those who would have destroyed
the Government as they did its noble rep
resentative. The immense power Of
Abraham Lincoln was in his moral chdrac-
ter. Patriots loved to think Of the ESecu-
tive Chair as being filled by an honest
man, and the world respected him as it
now reveres his memory. We should
cherish the honor Of his im~perishable
name and praise the Lord that we have so
rich an inheritance. He loved the custom
Of uniting the proclamation OF our Gov
ernor with that of the President. It was
a direct rebuke of the false doctrine Of
I" States Rights" and was a practical ex-
ample of the manner in which the State
and General Governments should 60 hand
in hand. The speaker alluded to the
condition Of our young State. We were
wealthy in resources, and in our mental
endowments. But our moral status was
far below that of our sister States. This
should be corrected, as morality and in
te~llectuali:y 20 hand in hand. The great
men of the earth shrink from making a
home Of a licality where vice is so ruling
a feature. He had reason to believe that
the leaven Of Gospel truth was working,
and that we were rapidly experiencing a
change for the better. The speaker closed
by a touching ~allusion to the many vacant
chairs at the festive board, and eShorted
all whose hearts were filled with gloom to
trust in the Almighty for a recompense
for their losses.
THANKSGIVING passed off in q pleasant
manner. yesterday, in Virginia. The day
was bright and beautiful, and the good
people went in early in the morning to
have a good time generally, and from the
sport going on late last evening, we should
Judge that the general pastimes OF the day
were lovely to all concerned. Turkeys,
chickens, and all sorts of wild game sui
fered severely among u people. "fe
local" was compelled to cry quits early
but managed to get through with q square
meal at the "Franco-American with a
friend-wines flowed as free as so much
water a. the bars Of our princely saloons
through the city, and magnificent private
dinners were served up in most Of our pr.
waite families. The principal places OF
business were closed. Calls were made
upon the fair ladies ofthe city and renewed
| consideration entered into for the future.
In the evening Music Hall threw open its
doors and gave to the large crowd present
a splendid entertainment. Fun n froiic
was the order of the evening. The actors
seemed to surpass themselves in their en-,
deavors to please. The Emmett Guard
ball room was filled with the beauty and
fashion in our midst, and everything wen,
off ga merry as a marriage bell" The
early morn saw the light fantastic fool
tripping in the may dance. Taking II
altogether, our citizens Of Virginia passed
a glorious day Of thanksgiving. that will
long be remembered by the participants IN
il. The citizens of Gold Hill were gay
and festive. Most Of the many works and
places of business were closed during the
day and every one appeared to avail him,
self OF the joys Of the occasion. Sumptu'
Gus dinners and private calls and partie:
were the main order of things. A gay
time was had by the "sterner sex" in the
places where "folks do most imbibe" The
sparkling wines and spirits Of HEAVIER cali.
bre; old Jokes and songs were revived an6
sun and told Ger again, and when TIT
"wee sma' hours" Of o were come,
happier set of mortals it were hard to lint
anywhere in this glorious country OF :
To-day all again settle down into tn
- L.. re- C,,nl