Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-11-24
THANKSGIVING.

Jf N-@ - W NAA'NNeAAf
and proclamations issued by the presi
dent Of the United States, and the
various governors, tomorrow, Thurs
day, November 25th, will generally be
observed as thanksgiving day. 1t lisa
legal holiday according to law, all
banks and government Offices will
therefore be closed Business will be
suspended to great extent in most
cities; services will be held in some Of
the churches, and the masses of the
people will make it day Of
recreation and social enjoyment. To
the people Of New England and Of the
middle and western states, the day
suggests religious services, without
oppressive solemnity, followed by
family reunions around well-stuffed
turkeys on a bountifully supplied
table. To them it has ever been a
day Of real enjoyment, beginning with
a reference to spiritual things and
ending with conquered appetites and
a sense of fullness and satisfaction to
the flesh. Indeed the appetites Of
and for the flesh receive usually a
larger share ofattention than the long
ings Of the soul for higher consolation.
The custom, which is to be com
mended, has Of late years grown up
at the south, and in the cities is al
most as generally observed as Christ.
mas and New Years Day. Looking
upon it from reflective standpoint,
the proper observance Of this day
should be eniOined. When we look
back upon the past year, all will find
cause of gratitude to the Giver of All
Good for manifold mercies and bless
ings. The great majority of us have
comfortable ahodes and clothing
enough to eat, and enjoy good
healtI and peace of mind.
The masses have cause to be
contented and happy. No great
calamity has overshadowed the land
during the past year. Pestilence did
not stalk abroad, nor famine or war
smite the people, as in some parts Of
She world. Neither have we been
visited by disastrous foods or fires,
financial depression or civil cOmmo-
ton. The voice of unpaid labor has
not been heard, and no great local or
general disturbances have taken place.
The people of this city state aid
country are in a far better
condition as a rule than those Of
any county in Europe, and the future
is full of hope and promise. All the
political excitement has abated, ap-
preheasion has vanished, and we will
settle down for another four years Of
quiet uneveatful administration. The
institutions Of our country and the
rights and liberties Of the people are
safe under any party. Still greater
prosperity awaits the people at large.
1t is proper to think Of these things.
to be thankful in our hearts, whether
in church or around the social board,
and to resolve to act upon the lessons
of the past 1t is well also to
meet cur friends, to interchange
greetings, aud to let in all the sun
shine possible on dull care and bust
ness anxieties. We Heed mental and
physical relaxation. by which to gain
new vitality and strength. The bow
that is always bent will soon fail to
send the unerring arrow. The Amer
lean people work too hard in the race
OF life. they should have more holi
DAYS and rest days, in which to knock
of the social rust and stiffness
that grow npon them Enawares
Tobe homogensOusan warm-heartcd'
reopIe must be social and
to be social they must come together
in public and. private gatherings where
individuality is merged in the com
mon spirit and purposes of the occa-
sion. Thanksgiving day has grown
up to be national custom, it
is one of our Sxed institutions
and as Memphis keeps ur with the
progressive spirit of the age aud
Aas peculiar cause to rejoice Gyer
good local government, state
of peace sud order, great sanitary i'm.
provements, and our escape from
much dreaded evils last summer, the
day will doubtless be as universally
and properly observed as at any place
in,the country.