Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-11-28
Thanksgiving.

DuIlnR OuO VI SuO N"A hOoN PSAiO
in the early history of New-England,
at one of their public assemblies it
was proposed by some OF the most
respondent citizens, to proclaim a
day of fasting and prayer, when a
venerable farmer arose and entered |
his protest against provoking Heav-
en- with their unnecessary complaints
reviewed the mercies and blessings
enjoyed in the past, and commended
that in the midst Of all their gloom
and seeming lack Of prosperity, they
had great cause for gratitude and
praise and moved as an amend
ment that they appoint day ofpub-
lie thanksgiving. Thus originated
this beautiful and becoming time
honored custom in our land.
1t was not, however. until the time
of Lincoln that the observance
Of a day of thanksgiving became uni
form and general in its character and
extent, and consequently tie honor
of imparting to this New-England
custom u newer impetus belongs to
the martyred President.
As nation we have abundant rea-
son OF thanksgiving to Him who rul-
eth all things we'll, notwithstanding
the frequent affirmation that ourciv-
ilization is on the decline. 1t is true
that nations are yet selfish, capital
and labor are marshaling for deep
er conflict, Catholics and Orange
men remain hereditary foes, corrup-
ton abounds in political folds and
the system Of bribery extensively
prevails, but these are not the out
qrowths of modern influences, but
the unwelcome heritage OF the pres
ent generation descending from our
ancient sires. There has been no
age without its share of sin and
wickedness, and while ours may be
marked by some peculiar features OF
political or social evil to a greater
extent than those Immediately pre-
coding, it fully atones for such appar-
ent or real excuses by the superior
achievements it has made
In what age of the world hereto
tore, had the moral sentiments OF
two great nations so far gained the
ascendency over the brutal idea OF
war as to utterly ignore the arbitra-
ton of the sword, and amicably set
Ito the most threatening diplomatic
difficulties, on the principle of friend
ship, love and truth When great
aud powerful nation like Great Brit
ain can lay aside her traditional
pride, and in the attitude of humility
say 81 have sinned," and an inde-
pendent, self-reliant power like the
United States can yield measure OF
her claims against an opposing ma
ton, and advancing TO meet her, OK
claim, "lf thy heart is as my heart,
give me thy hand !" we claim that
the civilization of the nineteenth
century is unparalleled in the history
Of the world demonstrating the
fact, that when the public sentiment
Of Il nation is thoroughly disciplined
by moral culture, they can find 9TH
or means of adjudicating their claims
than an appeal to arms.
The terrible hurricanes OF fire have
swept away hundreds Of mi lions OF
wealth, cut short the lives of thous-
ands OF our fcllow-beings, and placed
in dependent circumstances a hun
dred thousand more. Yet the suffer-
ing of the fallen victims was less than
that Of the plague, and generous.
hearted people have beautifully con-
tributed to the immediate wants OF
suffering survivors, so that even here
we find reasons for grateful acknowl.
edgement, while doubtless from the
ashes OF the pitiless fire will evolv,
some unexpected good ultimately
0verbalanelng the evil.