The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1880-11-24
THANKSGIVING

EE% =5t% Es'l'E & ne "E&## - :
On Thursday we will follow the kindly inn
pulse of the tim%e-honored custom OF our
fathers, and pour forth in offerings Of turkey
and. cranbury sauce, our Thanksgiving. Tor
the favors Of the year now almost gone, and
pass in review events which even now are
fading into the 1nists and togs of things for
gotten. The day is a 9# a.
T15f,f .tsKindo Of twilight of the heart sr.sz9 EsE
When its wild passion waves are lulled to rest,
And the eye sees life's fairy scenes depart,
AS fades the day beam in the rosy west;
TITS with a nameless feeling of regret 81 Es
We gaze upon them as they melt away,
And fondly would we bid them linger yet;
But hope is round us with her angel lay"
And while the lights and shades Of our past
are merging together into the uncertain
shades, it is meet that we gather together,
and between the Walnuts and the wine, pass
them in review, if only for the pleasure OF
the mellowing influence Of Aud Lang Syne.
And while there are few among those many
gatherings which will come together on
the morrow in which there is not some place
made vacant that will never be filled, and
none where life's disappointments and the
heartsickness of hope deferred will be en-
tirely merged into the futures promise, there
will be around them all some OF the silver
lining which from its contrast will lend the
true tone Of every DAY life.
Withal, there is much in the year most gone
for which we, as a nation, and as individuals,
should give thanks. Profound peace through
out the country, and q marked increase in its
wealth and prosperity. Fewer tramps and
more workers, less want and better homes,
fewer crimes and more ~contentment, less
speculation and more business and q uni
Yersal feeling of confidence in the future
that bodies we'll for the immediate present,
and makes of this thanksgiving more than .
mere social custom.
We may be thankful that VIC have passed
another qaadrienal election, without the dis
graceful scenes which have marked and
marred some other thankgivings, and that q
long agitated question has been laid away on
the shelf, never more to re-appear, we hope,
W A1okAlD LIZ pLCEs0AIt AAO oAA& SGUAtII
Of to-day.
We may be thankful, here in this out-of
Observation-Disclosures. for much more than can
many Of our sister Territories and States.
Signs Of progress in every direction indicate
the certainty OF cur golden future. Two rail-
roads have passed our borders, uniting US
with the great world outside and bringing
useful luxuries from every quarter. Mines
have been opened in every part Of the Terri
tory commerce is spreading her silver net
Of diversity and industry with q rapidity it
has never yet shown, and above all, homes
have been built which will become q part of
the very land, and will stay with it for all
/ me to come, and we may be thankful
tat these homes are upon our liIlable lands,
and will always represent the most solid and
enduring portion Of our population and
wealth.
We may be thankful here in this local
section and in Benton, that our long unused
resources are being recognized and developed
by an intelligent immigration, and by those
whose cOHueclioH mere lee Deen long DIVERT
ed from them BY profitable but more fugitive
industries. And We may be thankful that we
have . town and country surrounding it that
is capable Of indefinite expansion and
We may be thankful, also, that We Of this
town have partaken Of the benefits of this
growth, and that we are just rising upon q
wave which will certainly reach its flood III
the years just at hand.
But while we are giving eomplacent utter
ancet n thanks for benefits merely temporal,
we Gun afford to devote this one day in the