A “purposely observed” Thanksgiving
President Lincoln proclaimed it back in October. 150 years ago today the North celebrated a “day of thanksgiving and prayer”. Here’s a bit from a pretty much pro-Lincoln Administration newspaper in New York City. It was a holiday that included public worship, acts of charity, and amusement. The good news from Chattanooga made it all the better.
From The New-York Times November 27, 1863:
THANKSGIVING.; THE OBSERVANCES YESTERDAY. GRATITUDE AND JOY Discourses of Right Rev. Bishop Potter, Rev. Dr. Bellows, Rev. Dr. Potts, Rev. Dr. Chapin, Rev. J.P. Thompson, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, Rev. Dr. Tyng, and Others. WHAT WAS DONE AT THE INSTITUTIONS. Discourse of Bishop Potter.
It is doubtful whether any day of Thanksgiving has been so generally, so purposely observed as yesterday. It broke upon us bright, clear and beautiful, and it really did seem as though Heaven designed participation with the prevailing happiness. At an unusually early hour all business was suspended, and long before the appointed time the several churches were filled to overflowing by those anxious to hear the words of religion and of loyalty-Yesterday they were made, as will be seen by the reports of the sermons we publish, almost synonymous terms. There appeared to be a general disposition to make the day one of thanksgivings, one of reverential enjoyment.
There was much good, too, done yesterday. All the charitable and benevolent institutions were supplied from kindly quarters with enough wherewith to feed those under their charge, and many with enough to clothe. Charity seems to have walked abroad; and, oh! did those who are able to secure it know at how little cost how much of joy could be purchased, we are sure they would buy it by the wagon-load, and go through the highways and the by ways and throw it broadcast for those who so seldom see it to secure. Many a heart beat loudly yesterday, to the music of joy and gratitude, in haunts where naught but silence and sorrow had prevailed. Many a sad and desolate home was invaded by the kindly, and help brought to the sick, and words and acts of comfort to the distressed and sorrowing. Much good was done yesterday — much more than past years have record of — and may it be the initiative of what makes thrice blessed and thrice happy those who administer it.
Happier Thanksgiving!
Everybody wore a holiday face. In the afternoon all the places of amusement were crowded to overflowing, and in the evening an outsider was the one who came half an hour before the time. There was no room in any place for such a laggard.
Space prevents our enumeration of all the specialties of the day. The war news so opportunely arriving, gave renewed zest to the thankfulness and enjoyment, and it was considered a glorious [???] that when a nation was in prayer its gratitude and supplications were illumined by the [???] of Promise in the West. …
The December 5, 1863 issue of Harper’s Weekly at Son of the South celebrated the day with a reproduction of “The President’s Hymn: Give Thanks, All Ye People” and a full page illustration by Thomas Nast. As you can see, both images refer to emancipation. Nast’s Thanksgiving includes an image of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln kneeling in prayer.
