Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-12-07
say, we have an inspiration to offer to
God today thanksgiving and praise.

III is because OF the truth OF this dec
laration of the equality of all men before
the law, that it is possible for so
many peoples, communities and states to
dwell together in unity, in one body po-
little; and it is the influence of princi-
pie in direct opposition to this that pro-
duces the discords, dissensions and strifes
which mutilate the national body and al
most destroy its life, as was so plainly re-
vealed in the progress and results of the
civil war. Let us give thanks to God on
this national thanksgiving day that the
power exercised according to false
principle, and which for time produced
discordant elements in our country, is to
a large degree broken, and that the false
doctrine which proclaimed itself so loud
ly and lifted its head so high has been
obliged under the power of truth and
righteousness to speak in more subdued
tones, and lower its head to the dust
while, at the same time, the power of mu-
tual interest, regard and love has become
more marked, until now we have signs
and promises that as a people we shall
ere long be brought to regard each other
with common interest and yield ourselves
to mutual fellowship, which we trust no
power will ever break.
While we look at other nations in their
relations to each other, and observe
how far separated from one another they
are, by disregard of those principles
which bind our States together, and no.
tice how watchful, dstrustful and Jealous
they appear, ready to cut each others
Threats and take the life blood at the first
favorable opportunity, we are reminded
of how much we have to be thankful for
in our national life and relations, and in
the increasing regard for those distin-
gushing principles that to so large a
degree in the past have exerted saluta-
ry influence on large numbers of our peo-
pie in governmental affairs.
Thankful as trust we are today for
all that God has taught this people con-
corning his fatherhood and the brother
hood of man. and recognizing the influ-
ence of these doctrines in the history of
this republic, yet, let US not be proud in
spirit or boastful, thinking we have
learned all that there is to be learned con-
corning these things, or fatter ourselves
that we haYe attained to the acme of per-
lection in national life, or have solved
fully the great problem of how and in
what form we can best govern ourselves.
We have learned something in the one
hundred and more years of our national
history; but the lesson at times has been
difficult and the experience in the acqui-
sition of this knowledge has been trying
and severe. Broader fields are now open
to us, and, in the spirit of thankfulness
for the experiences and acquisitions of
the past. let us enter into them, and
search diligently, until, under the bless
ing of Our Father, we shall find what we
seek and realize in the national life, what
we believe it is possible for it to give.
Let us cherish profound idea of what
God is to us and for us and lively sense
of what as citizens we are and may be to
each other; and thus, joining hands in a
true union, we may declare emphatically,
once for all, that this confederation of
States, which holds to 'the government
of the people, by the people and for the
people, shall never perish from the EARTH
Let us ever remember, in the language
of one of our honored Presidents, that
it is not in splendid government sup
ported by aristocratic establishments
that the people will find happiness, or
their liberties protection: but in a plain
system void of pomp, protecting all and
granting favors to none, dispensing its
blessings like the dews of heaven unseen
and unfelt, save in the freshness and
beauty they contribute to produce. 1t is
such government that the genius of our
people requires-such one only under
which our States may remain for ages to
come, united, prosperous and free.''
The year now closing will be remem-
bered as year of plenty. From the
prairies and mountain slopes of the West,
from the sunny lands of the South, and
from the more sterile farms of New Eng
land, God has brought forth by the hand
of man grains and fruits, supplies in
great variety, with which to meet the
needs of this great people.
Seed time and harvest, sunshine and
shower, the soothing breeze and the re-
freshing dew, together with the early and
latter rain that never fail, have come and
gone and leaving their benediction in rich
temporal blessings. While we may ex-
tend our hands, full of grains and fruits,
towards other hands that are less FORUM
ate, we may congratulate ourselves in
this, that while meeting the necessities of
Others, we shall not be robbing ourselves.
We need have no fear of famine stalking
abroad, seeking our doors and entering
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