National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-11-26
PRESENT AGAINST THE PAST.
Showing the Comparative Advantages
Since the First THANKSGIVING.

onOWink INC comparative advantages
Since the First Thanksgiving.
In spite Of the rain and general disagree
ableness OF the weather, very good atten-
dance marked the hour Of worship at st..
Paul's English Lutheran Church. The pas
tor, DR.. s. Domer, presented a well-pre-
pared and carefully written discourse on
the subject Of 1.-THE comparative advan-
tagee Of the present as against the past
since the date of the first Thanksgiving
appointed by Gov. Bradford, Of Massachu-
setts." His discussion particularly regarded
the contrasts In the common walks OF In
dustrial life. Many facts and figures were
given to show how much better the con-
dition Of society is now than at any other
period Of our national history. In closing
he spoke tenderly OF our recent national be-
reavement, as follows "The grave has
just been closed over the dead body OF q
distinguished and honored fellow. citizen.
EX-President Arthur has entered into the
silent land. The nation has again put on
her emblems Of mourning as she is wont TO
do when her honored servants recede from
the ranks OF the living and disappear with
the multitudes that have crossed the dark
river. The general tribute OF respect which
has come up from all classes OF our citizen
ship gives impressive testimony as TO the
estimate which tho people put oil his dis
tinguished career, and the fidelity with
which he discharged the highest trusts of
the great nation as her chief executive Off
Ger. Neither Plato In his 'Republic' nor
Moore in his Utopia, nor inspiration Of
any patriot poet ever dreamed Of more
impressive and honorable scene than
that which took place In the transit
ton Of President Arthur's administration
into that of the distinguished Chief Magis.
trate under whose admirable proclama-
ton we are worshiping to day. No retiring
President ever received an incoming one
more cordially and gracefully than did
President Arthur the advent of President
Cleveland; nor did any incoming Presi-
dent ever more sincerely appreciate the
courtesy extended than he who now
occupies the presidential chair. The scene
OF reciprocity and good will was made SOL
emily complete, when on Monday last
President Cleveland with the members OF
his Cabinet stood IN fearful silence near the
casket of the illustrlous dead, In the final
tribute Of that thoughtful hour. The scene
OF friendship and sympathy 10 still more
impressive when we remember their
chieftancy in the two great rival political
parties Of our country; our admiration
for these men is not only greatly aug
mented by these considerations, but we
feel that our common citizenship has been
ennobled and improved by their spirit aud
example, and we. find new cause for
Thanksgiving on this day In the supremacy
and power Of the American idea of self
government when we see how the control
OF national affairs may pass from the hands
of one political party into the hands Of an
other as quietly, peacefully, and hope
fully as the seasons pass into each other In
the grand rythm Of the revolving year.
May the blessing Of heaven rest on our
nation and its rulers, now and always, and
may Times latest and best empire ever
lead in the march of the nations, and our
rulers always be worthy OF the empire they
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