National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-11-25
Divaricated Gratitude.

A very pious man from Washington was
once crossing the ocean when fierce storm
swept the sea and filed his soul with terror
He asked the captain II there was any
darEer. The sturdy navigator led him to
the sailors quarters, where the men were
playing cards and swearing flercer than the
Dutch once swore in Flanders. $50 long
as you hear those sailors swearing" said
the captain, "there can be no immediate
danger"
An hour or so afterward the wind
whistled through the rigging with increased
fury and the wild waves surged against the
great ship and whipped her about upon the
troubled waters. The captain stood upon
the bridge in the twilight watching the
movements OF the storm. Presently the
figure of man stole hurriedly to the sailors
quarters, and, listening anxiously for a
moment, he retraced his steps. As he passed
under the bridge the captain heard him
murmur, "Thank God, they are swearing
still!n
Thus, in the great struggle for existence,
our gratitude-spoken or silent-ls often
founded upon selfish motives. Our pious
friend, whose lips may never have been
polluted with an oath, fairly luxuriated in
delight that one OF the holy commandments
was being shattered, so long as 1t augured
the safety of the ship.
To-day, as the American people gather
of hnlu shrinaa nna hno~.hN.~---J 49, ----;y
atmosphere Of their surroundings will be
charged with a spirit of gratitude whose
ingredients will be as diversified as were
the colors in Joseph's coat.
The President of the United States will
profoundly thankful that more news
papers have ceased publication since his
Inauguration than have come into exist
ence.
The fair young mistress Of the white
house will gracefully render thanks to the
entire press Of the country for the amlable
and enthusiastic manner In which they wei.
coined her to the position OF "nrst lady in
the land" as well as for the continued
courtesy and kindness they have shown 10
her since she entered upon the duties OF hel
exalted station.
The Bourbon Democrat, with q lst
of captured Offices In one hand and q
complete collection Of the ungrabbed
ones in the other, will slide up 10 the altai
Of gratitude from the rear door, and, "look
ing the gifth horse directly In the mouth will
slide out again without making any ,lter
ence to what he came for.
The Mugwump will walk pompously
through the front door and up the cen.
tral aisle 10 the altar and, placing both armi
and legs around the shrine, will throw
wide the portals of his ponderous mug ant
send his mournful voice a wumping along
he high vaults of the sacred ediflce bur
dened with the burr bedecked chestnu
melody 'the sun Of reform do move by tn,
omnipotent force ofr Mugwumpery, with q
big NJ, and the grace of god with a little G
The merchant, the mention of Whose
stock in trade has been made from day Il
day in the advertising mediums Of thu
town, will 70 to the holy edifce bearing
cheerful look of prosperity, sincerel,
grateful that kindly providence ha
placed at his disposal the potent influence
of such worthy co.operator as the public
press.
The real estate broker will plously recog
nize the fact that Washington in 1886 ha
proven as good friend to him as Wash
ington proved to the Goddess Of Liberty II
1776.
Thus We might go on through all tn
shades oflife, to those who live In home
where death and sickness have no
entered, and to those whose flresldes hay,
been chilled by the cold hand Of the de
stroyer; some grateful for the choicest bless
ings, others finding consolation In th,
thought that the storms and trials of lif,
end at the grave. SO each, this day, will
find in something OF the year that is gon,
since the last day of thanks q cause fol
gratitude, be 1t great or small, We wout
that every man could freely say, "Thus fal
the year of 1886 has laid its hand upon mt
gently, not shifting, even as the harper
lays his hand upon his harp TO soften its
vibrations