New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-25
TO-D4Y Y.

We are not at all sure Of the propriety of the gu
| bernatora proclamations which make Of to-day a
| universal feast 1t would be decidedly more honest
and suitable for many OF IA to keep 10 with hungry
| stomachs, humiliation and PRAYER The chances are
| that the majority of business men Will. as usual
not keep il at all They lose sight OF the religious
meaning of the day altogether, and find 1t only an
occasion for change in the family dinner; which
is pity and their loss. The higher kind OF COM
mon sense dictates search in everyday things for
their broadcast and loftiest meaning. The man who,
by preference holds Obstlnatey TO the lowest mean
ings of this day, and makes of the opportunity for
communion with the God who made him an opportu-
nifty for big feed, cheats not God, but himself.
As to whether to the man who keeps 1t this secret
talk with his Maker ought 10 lie joyful the reverse,
49, as we said for each man to decide for himself.
We all know the reasons why we are expected to
rejoice and thank God. They have been stated in
each public call and will be repeated in every pull
pit The crops of the year have been bountful ;
the inflow of wealth to the country has been enor
nous pestlence has not visited our borders; we
are at peace with every other nation the full tide
of corruption and fraud in government Offices, in
public and private business, has been checked. 1t
may fairly be said that honesty is now the fashion !;
it pays to assume a virtue if we have 1T not. For
all these things it is fitting that we should to-day
thank the Power that wlled it so
Bnt, we NAV add that if crops have been larger.
and paid the farmer better ia Indiana than In Ire
land it largely because the relations of capital TO
labor wages and rents are more Justly regulated,
and the farmer himself is more industrious and
more sober. If the plague has been banished from
our towns or fevers held at bay in neighborhood.
it IS because the town or the individ-
ual has attended to drainage. lived ration
ally, Clearly and whoesomely If corrup-
ton aud fraud have been checked, and hon
esty made to triumph in government offices, il is
because the Nation placed at their head a man of
absolute downright integrity In 81 ut. there is not
reason we have for Thanksgiving to-day which
does not prove that God helps the nation and the
individual that help themselves. He gives the sun
and the RAIN and the bodies and brain 1t is for us
to say whether and rain shall BRING forth wheat
or malaria whether the bodies shall be temple of
the Holy Ghost or vessel filled with bad whIskey
ana the BRAIN be to honest, strong joyous work.
or 80 mean cheating and villaDy. II we have
abused cur material we have no right to make
the day one of rejoicing. If we have filled our own
and our DeghbOrs house with misery let us pay for
it in repentance; or if we have squandered money
would better become lis than 4 full table.
Yet for the man who has most abused his oppOr-
tuuites there is room for thankfulness to-day.
Gods STRENGTHENING sun aud rain belong to the
evil as well as TO the good; and, while the most
brutal drunkard or thief lives. every moment of
tina life is full OF high promise. encouragement for
the future. and the summons TO thank Cod, take
courage and 20 forward.