The manner in which the day was first instituted. The sore struggles and
the small beginnings of that day compared with the greatness and abounding
prosperity of the present. The warfare between Christmas and Thanksgiving,
the one being thought the badge of popery and prelacy. The Battle of the
Pies, pumpkin and mince, terminating in a treaty of peace and alliance;
and now we can enjoy the nightmare by feasting on both combined! The
national blessings of the year; the poorest have more now than kings and
emperors had five hundred years ago. Exemption from wars. Internal peace.
Willingness and habit of settling every domestic dispute by the ballot, and
not the bullet. The increasing tendency to arbitrate between nations, thus
avoiding the horrors of war. The beneficence of our government and the ease
with which its operations rest upon our shoulders. The wonderful progress
of science and invention, and the manner in which these have added to the
comfort of all the people.