American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1865-12-12
TUESDAY MORNING, 49,. DEC. 70, 's5
THANKSGIVING DAY--.IT WAS NOT
OBSERVED.

OBSERVED.
Thursday, tie seventh day Of December, the da
set apart by Andrew Johnson President of tn
United States, as a day of thanksgiving "for tn
mercies of God, and for the blessings of peace !
came duly around and occupied its appropriate
place in the calender. It's bright sunlight, so CRATE
ful contrast to the day preceding and its stirring
invigorating atmosphere, were well calculated tt
inspire feelings of gladness and thankfulness Bu
the shops were all kept open and the marts of trade
frequented as usual. The bell of but one church
sounded ont its invitation to worship, and its cal
was obeyed but by TWO pious souls beside the pas
ror.
How Is this? Why is this7 Have we nothing to
be thankful for as people, as individuals? Yes,
all will admit the causes of gratitude and praise to
Almighty God are innumerable but some say I'VE
do not recognize the proprety of the call to give
thanks by our captors, those at whose bends we
have received such insults and injuries What they
think causes of gratitude are to us, rather sources
Of annexation
1t is al true that we would have had the issues of
this war far different from what it ia it is true that
our ondest hopes were based like the value Of your
money, on the ratification of treaty Of peace be-
tween the Confederate States and the United States
of America, achieved by the Success of our arms
Bnt this never came, never can come. We weep
over our failure our hearts are buried with our no.
nought, at least az far az success was concerned,
yet will they ever live in our memories, and to them
will ever be accorded the highest tire most glorious
niche in orr Temple Of Fame. We have no sort Of
ielow-feeling whatever with the man who has been
in the South 'or four years past, whose heart does
not beat in living sympathy with everything Con,
federate lie failure was ours its sorrows were
oars its bereav.nents fell in common upon ne all
its gores-snd, Notwithstanding its failure, It has
glorisS bright, undying glories-are ours, and in
spre joyful thrill in our hearts.
Now, this very commendable spirit which en-.
heroes, and makes us glad and willing to assume,
and herocally bear up what the world may choose
to call the oboquy Of our course, lily comports with
tie sham Of surrendering to our captors, of laying
down our arms at their feet and protesting we will
not take them up again, and at the same time in all
matters where we dare do II, dsrerar riding their au
thority and acting if wo were separate peoples.
A truly brave man when be is overpowered aId
cries ENOUGH, Is done with the thing il an agree.
nent is made between him and his adversary,
though it is dstasteful to him. he Ike cps it in good
faith he would realise that TO speak evil Of the
compact, and go as far toward breaking It as he
dare, would not only be ignoble, bat would also do
himself harm. As he failed after'sn honest effort,
he submits and makes the best Of it.
So 1t sbould be with our Confeleracy. We have
failed we have been oVerpowersd; we have asked
to be taken back into the Union we have sued for
executive clemency and we will brand ourselves
as hyposri;es and craven spirits if we do not adjust
tion and carry out in good faith our part of the
agreement.
Once, it was noble it was brave it was righteous
to be rebel to the core, to indulge no feeling Of
compromise with the people at war with us but
that time is past by our consent citizens Of
the government against which we rebelled, and to
keep up the old feelings Of amnesty now is acting
in bad faith it is wicked and ungensrous.
II it is right TO go 70 Washington City and i'm.
plore Andy Johnson's pardon and bis restoration
Of property. thus acknowledging his authority,
then it was also right to acknowledge the propriety
Of his appointing day Of Thanksgiving, and, as
Christian and sincere people, to have observed it in
good faith, giving thanks to Almighty God for the
blessings be has sent and for the curses be has
Averted.