Sarah Josepha Hale

“ Thus the great Union Festival of America would be established.
Now the purpose of this letter is to entreat President Lincoln to put forth his Proclamation, appointing the last Thursday in November (which falls this year on the 26th) as the National Thanksgiving for all those classes of people who are under the National Government particularly, and commending this Union Thanksgiving to each State Executive: thus, by the noble example and action of the President of the United States, the permanency and unity of our Great American Festival of Thanksgiving would be forever secured. ”

“ Should the president see fit to issue his proclamation at once, the important papers would have time to reach the knowledge of American citizens in Europe and Asia, as well as throughout our wide land. If the President should recommend that all American ministers and consuls, etc-- should observe the Day in their respective offices in Foreign countries would it not have a good effect on our citizens abroad? And if, on land and sea, wherever the American Flag floats over an American citizen all should be invited and unite in this National Thanksgiving, would it not be a glorious festival? ”

“ It dazzles to lead astray;
Like the meteor's flash, 'twill deepen the night
When treading thy lonely way:—
But the heart of home has a constant flame,
And purse as vestal fire—
'Twill burn, 'twill burn for ever the same,
For nature feeds the pyre. ”