The New York herald., 1870-11-25
Beeeher, Tying, Kennedy and Other Pulpit ApOs-
ties Preaching on Plenty and Politics.
FEAsTINe THE POOR AND NEEDY
P@ans Of Praise for Peace, Plenty
and Prosperity.
Thanksgiving Dinners Among the Prisoners
ON Blackwell's Island, the Emigrants ON
Wards Island and the Orphans and
Foundlings on Randalps Island.

Thanksgiving Day or 1870 is new among the mem
ories OF the past. The great national holiday ha
come and gene; but its lessons still fresh and IL
effects not all worn of. From Maine to California
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, In every town an,
village and hamlet OF the nation, there has beer
mcrrymakIng and reunion.
The custom, founded py the Purltans in spirit o.
religious excluslveness, has become national, and
Jew and Gentle alike honor and thank God in thell
own peculiar way on this day OF general thanks
giving
The festival was extensively celebrated yesterday
in this city, and indeed. throughout the country.
Families we're reunited after many months OF sepa-
ration; turkey and pumpkin pie suffered materially,
while stories OF the doings during the past year fell
from the lips OF loved wanderers and frightened or
darkeVed the faces Of those who listened.
The celebration Of Thanksgiving Day has.
in this country, taken 10 great extent the
position held by Christmas in the Old Coun-
try. There IS not OF course the same
Christian mystery to celebrate, but there is
every reason for the nation to give thanks as ma
tion, once q year, on DAY which all can celebrate.
Yesterday the observance OF the holiday took a
myriad OF forms, but all tending show the thank
fulness and lightness Of the nations heart. Ser
mons, exhortations and ceremonies IN houses OF
divine worship; special offerings of THANKS in do.
mestic circles, public and private amusements of all
kinds,
FEAsTING AND MERRYMAKING,
were everywhere INDUCED in and throughout all
ran spirit OF genuine thankfuness.
In TINS city and the immediate vicinity the cele-
bration was unusually exuberant. Eloquent divlnes
spoke in glowing terms Of the duty OF the day and
hour; the churches Of all denominations were well
attended, and charity was spoken Of as being q
lifting companion for thankfulness. The children
nj N nh Va THAR ham aIu
fare was varied in honor of the festival by the
bounty OF those who had been blessed with more of
the worlds goods than they. In all the private and
public charitable institutions feasts were pre-
pared for the inmates and largely
enjoyed by the recipients. From early
morn TIL late at night the streets and thor
O1ghfares were crowded BY parties hurrying
hither and thther to or from some friendly gather
Ing Sounds OF martial and merry music from nu-
merous bands filed the air, in company with the
huZZas or the
LAUGHTER OF THE PoPULACE,
accompanying and greeting some embryo organiZa-
tons OF peaceful warriors or the ''make upn and
the antics of some body OF fantastcals. The tnea-
tres and minstrel halls well attended, the bali
fields and the race tracks claimed scores and hun
dreds of the admirers OF sport; every species OF
amusement and diversion was INDUCED in and all
went or as merrlly and as happily as one could
wish Tor.
THE WEATHER
was beautful the sky SO bright and clear the sun
shine SO cheerful and the air 50 fine and bracing,
seeming to carry thankfulness with every inspira-
tion could not fail to act important aids to make
the day enjoyable. That il was enjoyable and that
it was duly appreciated and enjoyed that thanks
were given in good form; that happiness and con-
tentment everywhere reigned, and that Thanksgiv-
ing Day of 1870 is worthy or being long remembered
may readily be judged from the accounts given be-
low OF the doings everywhere In honor OF the fest.
val.