The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-11-28
THANKSGIVING Dav.

This, by proclamation Of the President,
is set apart as Thanksgiving day. 1t is moi
compulsory on citizens generally to OBJ
serve the day in this manner, proclama-
lions of this kind being 10 the mass Of the
people merely rccommcndatory. But il
does assume the form Of q command to all
those in Government employment = or
rather, those engaged in the public Offices
Of the Federal Government. For there
are many employed in the public service
who, Cll route in the performance OF their
duties, cannot, and are not expected to-
observe the holiday proclaimed from The
chamber Of the Chief Magistrate Of the
nation.
Thanksgiving day, as observed in this
country, is OF YauAcc-Puritan origin, and
was designed to supcrscdc Christmas. 1t
is at the North q day for great rejoicing
and Frasting. Turkeys disappear rapidly,
thousands of that very much respected
family OF the lcathcrcd races terminating
their lives amilS: the general rejoicings
dashed with a trace of prayer of the
people among whom they were hatched
and raised. 1t is true that in the olden
time there was a day for thanksgiving al
the iDgathcriug Of the harvest; but 1t had
no such character as il has assumed in this
country. Formerly, the day was wholly
sectional; and the prcclamations calling
upon the people 20 observe it were issued
alone by northern Governors. It Is
only very lately that the President
has taken it under his patronage. We do
not know who was tie first Chief MagiS-
tratc to recognize ii so far as TO attempt
10 make it national but we believe il was
the "latc lamcntcd" Mr.. LINCOLN. Pre-
sidcnt JOHNSON follows the example with
ont, VIC suspect, being very profoundly
impressed with the usaGc, or its aCccpta-
hility to a large part OF tic people Of the
Union.
But We do not now propose seriously to
make a fight on this subject. We do not
object decidedly 70 Mr. JouSSoN's kind
recognition of Thanksgiving day; nor do
VIC dcmur 10 the enjoyment Of our north
crn friends with their turkeys and pump
kin pies. Circumstances to which we al
ludc are merely historical, and appropri-
ate TO the day.
SO far as the proclamation and the day
concern ourselves, they come upon us at
period the most unfortunate. Such has
been the continued train Of adverse occur
rcnccs, SO completely have our people
been stripped Of property and political
consideration and privilege, that however
pous may be their sentiments, however
rclisiously disposed they may be TO cast
themselves upon the mercy Of q mercitul
God and 10 implorc him to spare them
further Affections for their sins, they are
not in frame OF mind nor are they
blessed with circuur .nccS to enable them
to enter very largely into the spirit Of re-
.joicing which will this day prevail in the
rich and prosperous New England States,
whose possessions in this worlds gear have
been SO immensely increased By the war
which has dcsulated aud afflicted the
South. 1t is, perhaps, fortunate that we
are not in the frame of mind to initiate
them in their pious jo1lificatlon' Tor we
have not the means to do so were We IN
clincd.
Pumpkin pies, indeed, we do not want ;
but where are our turkeys, whore our
comestubles to fill the fesh-pots and accu-
mulate around us the things to crafty the
belly with excess and make the feelings
run over with happy inspirations? Let US
put ND with our disadvantage in the con-
trast to-day, and hope to have sum'mat in
the cupboard for Christmas
But let Us all remember that, bad as our
condition is, we are yet dependent upon
the will and mercy of an All-DiSpoSing
Power, and that it is at all times piouS
and happy act to implorc that Power
mercifu!ly to incline towards us-to stay
our Affections, mitigate our sutttcings, and
restore to us the bcnciicencc Of His for
riycness and favor. This will become us
as we'll as anything we can do. 1t suits
our condition best-it becomes us to-day
as we'll as any other, and is always obi
gatory upon all persons who rightly appre-
ciate the object and end Of their existence
III this world.