New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-11-28

THANKSGIVING Day passed off pleasantly, and was
perhaps moro generally observed in this city than
ever There were feasts, parades moderate attend
ance at morning service, and "a large one at places
of amusement The most striking incident IN the
churches was the appearance of the Rev. Dr. Bel
lows as the preacher IN one OF the largest OF the
synagogues. There were other thoughtful dis
courses some of which are reported elsewhere. MIR.
Beecher. DR.. Chaplin DR.. Taylor. DIR. Vincent rep
resent widely different views, but all alike treat the
day rs one of real significance and i'm
portance In all these observances. it IS EVIL
dent that we may safely congratulate
selves upon the permanent establishment of Thanks
giving Day as National festival. This is one OF
the most cheerful legacIes which the War of the
Rebellion has left us. Before that, Thanksgivings
were local In their character, were appointed by
gubernatorial authority, were observed upon diff
ferent days, and States not observed AZ all
Then if man were fortunate he might eat half-a-
dozen Thanksgiving Dinners, in as many different
places. This facilitated return visits. and made
three or four family reunions. in cases, posi-
bic instead of one. But what the day has lost by
the change, it has gained in more general ceebra-
ton by a greater number of people. Most churches
nav some respect TO IT. though il Of purely
lar and In fact, of Puritan origin. The older
churches had established Thanksgiving Days of
their own; those who went out from them were
obliged to fix upon some time for giving
special thanks, as they did in Massachusetts. to
which the whole country owes the idea of the day.
So far rs the Puritans themselves concerned,
they had abolished Christmas. and they really
needed, to meet the wants of human nature. some
anniversary of a toerably lively and yet religious
character They could not dance they could not
90 TO the theatre; their permitted diversions were
extremely limited in number, but good eating was
co thavU M n II a
ter. II was owing to this that so many turkeys
were Yesterday devoured. The Puritans nad con-
scientious scruples against mince-pes, but none
whatever against roasted turkeys that bird not
having been held IN any particular favor ut Christ
mas. as the boar's bead was. We have so few hol-
DAYS of a semi-rel gous character in which every
body can take part without scruples. that Thanks
giving Dav as 1t is now universally observed is
really n piece of good luck People take more
kindly to it, year after year. and may they
time to do for centuries.
A great political party can hardly be considered
i'm a prosperous way when it doesn't believe any
thing i'm particular or doesn't dare TO declare its
principles if it has any. Nine months ago the
Democrats forced an Extra Session for the avowed
purpose of emb0dying some alleged Democratic
ideas in Legislative enactments; but now upon
the eve of the regular session, the same
marty Is making istalwart effort to suppress any
illusions to the very schemes which they called
themselves together in special session TO carry out.
Nobody can formulate any distinctly Democratic
doctrine as to currency, taxation. tariff any
other matter of vital moment. party which is
ashamed of It's history, its traditions and its ten
denotes which doesn't know its own creed,
which is afraid to make a proclamation
of its aims and its hopes, which will not
trust itself on any platform of its own making.
which acknowledges that its single chance of sal
Walton is 10 be found in the policy of dong nothing
aud saying less doesn't possess enough aggressive
or defensive vlgor to make it even an interesting
opponent The pugilist who lie, down to save him
self from benz. knocked down IS rarely accused Of
making "A glorious fight, and he never Is an inspir-
ing subject to bet on:
The Virginia of the marriage of John c.
Tnsley colored, with "a white woman In the Dis
trict of Columbia, where such marriage was legal
Is To come before the Supreme Court. Tinsley went
back to Virginia with his wife, and Is now IN the
PenItentiary for an offence of winch be certainly
was not guilty if his marriage constitutional
Chlef-Justice Waite has granted wrlt of error to
the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia. We
hope for an authoritative decision from our highest
judicial tribunal; but possibly desirable as It is we
may not get It. The Supreme Court may have
granted the writ "a writ of light. but may decline
To consider the local laws OF Virginia touching mar
rage which is n civil contract. Ii have any de-
cision. # the Court undertakes to pass upon the
validity Of the marriage at all, we do not see how
| the general conclusion can be avoided that the
marriage. good according to tho laws of the Dis