Daily Republican., 1882-11-29
ThanksGivIpx.

whether Q good or . bad custom 1t
matters not, Thanksgiving is with us
once again to be observed in q manner
that oomports with the ideas Of each
individual. Thanksgiving suggests
that thanks should be returned for the
great blessings we enjoy. These bless.
ings come TO us In manifold ways
amongst which is the bounteousness Of
harvest and the blessings of POLITICAL
civil and religious liberty. With all
the faults that may be found In the ad-
ministration of our system of govern
ment there is no nation on the face Of
the globe that enjoys more largely tho
blessings of civil and political liberty.
No law upon the statute books Of the
nation restricts the inalienable rights
of man, but freedom of thought, Free
dom of speech and freedom Of action
are the unabridged privileges of all
men without regard to nationality, sect
or color. The puny hands of political
tyrants may be raised to strike down
the liberties Of the people, but above
them stands the Constitution, the
aegis of liberty offering equal protec-
tion to all. This is gratifying cause
for thankfulness tomorrow.
Again, the religions liberties of our
country are left undisturbed. While
sectarianism, bigotry, ignorance and
intolerance rack other countries from
centre 10 ci rcumfereDce, no titled bish-
ops, surpliced priests, or turbaned
crowns are recognized In this free land
of ours. Here every man can sit down
as it were under his own vine and fig
tree worshippiug God according to the
dictates of his own conscience, none
daring TO molsst or make him afraid.
Protestant and pagan and inEdel are
alike under the Constitution, and God
only rules over all. To Him will they
pay homage as they may see proper
without molsstation. This is true re-
llgious freedom and this Ia indeed cause
for the most devout Thanksgiving.
And then what bounteous harvests
crown the labors of the husbandman.
Plenty reigns over all our land. Work |
is abundant and wages, though not
what they should be, are fairly remun-
erative. Only in this a dark cloud |
hoyers over the horizon. The provision /
gambler spreads out his black pinions
and covers the land with dark shad-
ow. This we hope and trust is but
God has crowned our land
with plenty for the benefit of all his
children and he will not allow any
band of gamblers to triumph long. The
people have great reason for thankful
less that it is no worse and if they will
out stand together in defence of their
lights, light will break through the
darkness Of the gambling cloud and
ustice will be triumphant, as 1t always
8 in a free country.
Tie great stability of our nation is a
'ause for most sincere thankfulness.
The recent elections through which the
country has passed would have racked
! monarchy to pieces and plunged it
nto anarchy. But here, the great po-
itica. revolution was nothirg :9ore
han moral expression of the will Of
he people and rulers and people obeyed
he will. Instead OF bayopets, ballots
IS they descended like silent snow
lskes enforced the edicts of the people,
he people yetrule and for this there is
reat reason for Thanksgiving. Let
he day be enjoyed nationally; not in
dissipation and vice but in the cultiva-
ion of those noble attributes Of human
ty that elevate mankind. Let all
i've thanks.