The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-12-03
THANKSGIVING.

THANKSGIVING.
We like the American idea that one day
OF the 1855, which makes up a round year,
should be devoted to thanksgiving-to
prayer and praise. We would like to be lieve
that the American people. from the pine
forests of Maine t. where the Oregon rolls
its mighty foods and hears no sound save its
own dashings, from the rock ribbed Atlantic
cost to the golden shores of the Pacific,
from the grassy slopes OF the Alleghenies to
the snow-capped SUBMITS of the Sierras,
from the orange groves of Florida to the
wheat fields of Minnesota, from New
England 10 Texas, and from the center
to the circumference of this ocean
grit Republic, would get on their knees to-
day, and in spirit of thanksgiving and fol-
giveness, of charity and fraternity, make the
day, secular though 1t be, a Sabbath, hal
lowed by the hottest sentiments that can in
fuence hu man nature. To eat, to drink,
and be merry fulf Is but little of the de-
mand. To do this and no more is to exhalt
stomach and pal ate-the animal and its
grossest appetites above the soul--the spirit
ual nature-and seek for the highest salts.
factions by panderlng to the lowest instincts,
and, between bacchanalian and epicureau
festivities, make Thanksgiving Day dis.
tinguished for sensual rather than devotion
al employments. But Is useless TO homiiize
1t is better to give fancy free rein, and per-
init the editorial thought to gallop along
life's macadamizsd roads, up the winding
pathways of thought, ubt /, in rapt contsm
plation, the glories of the present stretch out
before the vision, as did the promised land
to Moses-an imperfect illustration of that
better land in reservation for those whose
hearts, beating in response to the goodness
of Him who made all things for the happ;-
ness of man, bow in humble alteration, and
give utterance to thanks and to praise. 1t is
possibe-indeed, it is probable-that in
many home clay where Thanksgiving
reunions will take place there wi be
vacant seats around the family
board, and that blending with the rejoiciugs
of parents and children and friends there
will lie blessed tears, memory's tribute of
affection to dear ones whose voices have
been hushed forever, but who land let there
be thanksgiving for the faith) are feasting
on angels food, and with voices attuned 10
the minstrelsy of Heaven, are celebrating an
eternal Thanksgiving day. We are in accord
with the thanksgiving idea. As people,
been, singularly. the favorites of high
Heaven. There has been a fruitful season,
bountiful harvests. The land flows with
milk and honey. There is food in fat
ulous abundance. If there is national
disquietude, man, and not the
Almighty Disposer of Events, is
responsible. Every natural law relating to
mans happiness has beea fulfilled. Not
lot or title has been unobserved. Heavens
statute, and decees have been executed.
From ocean 10 Gee IN ard from gulf to lakes
there Lave been a succassiol OF tidal waves
of osperity. The fields of the North, bap-
tized with the early and the latter rain,
warmed by the sun and watched by the
stars, have responded ID the husbandmen's
soil, ard in their wealth Of PRODUCTS
have attssted Heavens bepefc ence, and in
the sublime eloqueace Ct silercc have said
10 man and to the cattle on a thousand
hills, there is food for all and to
spare' The South, the sun-burpished
land OF the orange, the cotton
and the cane, comes with Its reports of
plenty The world looks on and rejoices
and gives thanks. Thousands of white
winged messengers, laden with food for the
destitute. guided by sun and stars, make the
wild winds contribute their power for the re
lief OF lands where the song of the harvest
home has been changed to the lamentations
of want. BY sll means let us give thanks
Peace is in the land and plenty abounds.
The poor have the Gospel preached 10 them;
the State makes ample provisions for the
unfortunate; asylums, churches and schools
are the monuments of advanced ciyilizs-
ton. The great heart of humanity has
been reached by the teachings of Christ
and tae good Ssmaritans are on all the higt-
ways of life. The rich are reminded that it
is more blessed to give tnan to receive; and
thousands who have been fortunes fsvoritss
are by their good deeds laying up treasures
in Heaven. A | hail Thanksgiving Dsyl Let
the toast, May those who fall by mission tune
be lifted by the hand of friendship" precede
the turkey to-day, and may the festive song
awaken desires to do good.
WHEN the negro exodus began last year the
Democratic press maintained almost TO a
| paper, that 1t was not bona fide but the work
Of scheming poiit clans. When allegations OF