Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-12-04
After the year 100, a day was set
anart each year for that nnrposa

In 1705, in Connecticut, the frs
Thursday in November was obsery
ed, except in the town of Colches
ter, which, by formal vote, postpone,
its thanksgiving one week on &C
count of an insufficient supply o
molasses.
In 1871, Congress appointed da,
of national thanksgiving on th,
capture of Yorktown; also, one il
1889 on the ratification of the Con
stitution by all the States. In 1895
President Washington issued proc
lamation, appointing June 1st as /.
day of thanksgiving, because wal
with Great Britain, which seemed
imminent, was avoided.
From Washington to Lincoln, nc
days of national thanksgiving were
appointed, either by the President
or Congress. During the first yeal
of the late rebellion, but little had
been accomplished by the govern,
ment in the way of its overthrow
But after the terrible conflict al
Plttsburg Landing, President Lin
coin, on April 10th, 1862, called up
on the people, in their several places
of worship, to offer special thanks to
God for the success of our arms.
In 1868, after the decisive victories
at Gettysburg, Vicksburg and Port
Hudson, the President appointed
the 9th day of August as. a day of
Thanksgiving, and October Sd desig-
mated the last Thursday of Novem-
Der, not only for victories gained,
but for fruitful fields and healthful
skies, and for peace with other ma
tions. After the anguinary engage
ments of the Wilderness, on May
9th, 1864, the President called upon
the people to offer thanks to God,
at their homes, in their places of
worship, or wherever they might be,
for advantages gained, though at so
fearful price. On the 7th of July,
Sherman was at Kenesaw Mountain
and Grant was knocking unsuccess
fully at the gates of Petersburg,
when Congress designated the first
Thursday in August as day for hu-
initiation and prayer. On Septem-
Der Sd, of the same year, on the fall
of Mobile ard the capture of Allan
ia, the people we're called upon by
the Chief Executive, to offer thanks
on the following Sabbath in their
places OF public worship. Again
Autumn waned, its fruits were gar
nered and Sheridan had been victo-
rious in the valley of the Shenan
doah, when the President appointed
the last Thursday Of November as a
day of thanksgiving.
Each year since, the President has
issued proclamation appointing a
day of thanksgiving; in obedience
to which, we are assembled here to
day. And it seems eminently prop
er that on the same day, the nation
should come together in their places
of worship to give thanks for bless
ings and pray for prosperity in the
future.
These days, wisely observed, will
be a tower of strength to this nation.
In their light we will see more clear
ly, our relation as people, to God.
Our minds will be attracted to the
consideration of the fact, that God |
has design in our existence, as
clear and explicit as in the election
and preservation of the Jews. He
has evidently placed US here to work
out, IN the presence of all the world,
the great problem of self-govern-
ment, of religious federation, of
before the law, together
with the fullest and freest education
al advantages. The world stands
watching with intense interest
the result of the experiment.
The proper observance of these
days will consolidate our nation.
No bands are so strong as those &C.
mented by religious sobservances and
obligations. And when on this day,
Gods people meet together all over
the land, from Canada to the Gulf
of Mexico, and from the Atlantic to
the Pacitic,-the North stretches out
its hand to the South, and the East
TO the West, saying: "All hailr'
A Union soldier lay mortally
wounded upon one of the battle
fields of the South, when, at his
earnest request, a rebel soldier who
was riding past, dismounted from
his horse and knelt beside the dy
ing man, commenting his soul to
the keeping of an ever faithful7God.
AS they prayed together they for
got all differences, and these learned
that, though each had looked upon
the other as an enemy, they were
brethren, children of common Fa-
ther.
The observance of these days will
increase our happiness,-for, thank
fulness and happiness are insepara-
BILE.
And it is but right and proper,
that we should devote one secular
day to the offering of thanks to Him,
who gives US all our days, and
crowns them all with plenty.
We have to-day great reasons for
thankfulness for the blessings grant
ed us the past year, and that still
remain in our possession.
We are at peace with all the ma
tions of the earth. A few days since
a little war-cloud appeared above the
horizon, but later developments have
dissipated it, and no one now be-
lives there is the slightest prospect
of war with Spain. The vexed
Indian question has been satisfac-
torily adjusted, and peace is in all
our borders, while law is everywhere
Our material resources, despite
the pressure of the present time, are
unimpaired. Our harvests have been
plentiful, our orchards were laden
with bountiful supplies of fruit.
Our national debt is being constant
ly reduced without excessive taxa
ton. Our mining, manufacturing
and commercial interests have never
been more prosperous than during
the past year. Our free institutions
have never stood on firmer basis
our educational and religious privi-
leges were never greater. The public
conscience has never been more SEN
sitivc, or the people more ready to