The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-30
THANKSGIVING Day.

This day. which. In accordance with
time-honored usage, our magistrates have
set apart rs an especial occasion for the
rendering of devout thanks TO Almighty
GoD for the blessings lie has vouchsafed us
during the year past, finds the country in
a condition OF great and peculiar trial SO
perlous to the republic is the situation that
We are reminded OF the Thanksgiving Day
of lsGO, when, as the peoples prayers were
uttered. not far OF was heard the rumble
of the preparations for OWL war. Ii il,
therefore, an occasion when every citizen
may well ponder his duties TO the State
and strengthen his resolution to keep safe
from harm the free institutions for which
he renders thanks, and which have brought
him so many blessings.
But grave a. the conjuncture Is. and
critical rs is the test to which the republic
Is put, fortunately the difiicllty is one OF
which the law is amply sufficient to secure
right solution. Ii is omiuous that
United States soldiers are this morning
bivouacked in the state House at Column
bia. But the appeal to arms which has
been made by the fraudulent Governor of
South Carolina has not driven to vio-
lchNc lut pcNple over Wnom ne pro-
poses TO usurp authority. nor is there
any indication that the sword will be in
voked elsewhere 10y the people to MAIN
tain their lawful rights under the Constl-
tuition. So critical Is the situation, so
weiGhty of consequences TO our form Of
government, that III all except violent
partisans il arouses serious thought, grave
anxieties, and the purpose to see that the
country, with all its prosperity, shall not
be wrecked on the breakers of fraud and
disregard Of law The Republican party
must lose the moral support of its serious
ana patriotic members if it makes itself
the ally Of the enemies of Justice.
The danger is too great, the present
aud prospective damage to all mate
rial interests too destructive. and the
preccdents it is sought to establish too
perilous, for mere selfish partisanship to
rule the action and govern the speech of
patriotic men. Ii Is not question of
party that we are now called upon to de-
cide-not merely whether the next Pr.sl-
dent shall be called a Democrat or a Re-
publican-but whether we shall inaugu-
rate on the 9th of next March President
lawfully chosen by the people, or one
whose only title to the Office is acquired by
fraud and outrage on the rights of the
people. That is what we must decide, and
abide by the issue, whether Gen. GRANT
shall be succeeded by Mr. TILDEN or by
Mr.. HAYES
But amid the perils in which we are on
this Thanksgiving Day, we have good rea-
son for thanks that in spite of many PROV
ocations 10 violence, the spirited citlzens of
the three Southern States 40 critically stu
ated have maintained the peace and re-
NAMED obcdcnt to the law. which is
able, if rightly Interpreted, to lift us out
of our present dangers ana strengthen us
for the future In a few days the legisla-
tive branch Of the Government will as
semble at Washington, aud tho whole man
agoment OF the present perpleXity Will no
longer be in the hands OF the Executive.
There is reason for hope in that.
thanksgiving Day, in its relief from
labor ana in its occasional enjoyment of
good cheer, Is especially the day of the
poor and unfortunate. The tables of the
wcll-to-do may perhaps be more richly
loaded than usual, but to them Thanks
giving brings only superabundance of
me meats ana drinks OF winch they always
have aplenty. To the poor it should fur
nish the plenty of which on other days
they are deprived, Those who have the
means may to-day gam the blessing which
giving bestows on the cheerful gver The
stagnaton OF business ana the check to in
dustry which have followed the disputed
election have borne heavily on labor ut Il
season when It can least afford to lie idle
Any hope of immediate Improvement is
almost vain. Hence happens that to-day
there are thousands Of self-respectinQ
wOrkmen and their families who viii have
scanty holiday meal, unless those who
are less injuriously affected by the torpor
of industry shall remember their needs.
The ministers to-day will discuss public
questions. Let them admonish their hear