The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-26
sEATTLE. THURsDAY. nor. GO.
THANK SEWING.

Gays as the American people. The listless,
hopeless people of Europe have too many
holidays; the nervous. eager, restless
American people have too few. Foreign
observers insist that in the absence OF
bluff, hearty hospitality, merriment and
Observation-Disclosures we Americans seem to
them one of the saddest peoples in the
world. In average acuteness and intense,
restless energy of character we probably
surpass our English cousins, but we have
lost, If we ever had it, the healthy exuber-
ance Of soul that goes with Drumming
animal spirits; the sturdy Saxon good
fellowship that never left the good doctor
Martin Luther, for even when the battle
Of polemics waxed hot and furious the
good doctor could sing quite feelingly OF
some of the most material blessings of
~ q rule either unlovely and unlovable
ascetics. or coarsely convivial; we drop
our work reluctantly, not glad that an
hour for humane diversion and innocent
pleasure has come, but neryously restless
in our leisure if we are austerely abstem-
cursed with a grossly mercurial tempera-
ment.
The average American on a holiday is
either as stupidity solemn and pedantic as
Malvolio, or as full Of drunken horse play
n Sir Toby Belch. In either view we
miss the comfort of living which older
cultivated nations enjoy.
Our Thanksgiving is apt to be a monot-
onous day of gaping incidence and heavy
feeding, except with those to whom
the day brings the panied but soft
ened memory of bitter bereavements
recalled by the vacant chair that held a
shape Of life and tender affection last
Thanksgiving. With this memory of be-
reavement that tinges with q shade of mel
ancholy the mirth OF many households
ought to come philanthropic thought for
those who will have no Thanksgiving; q
thought that will help US to forget our
own grief in learning something of the
sufferings of others and doing something,
be it never so little. to help them bear
patiently the cross Of sorrow.
There are poor. hard-working. honest
people in every large community who
have to struggle every hour to keep the
wolf of hunger from their door; to keep
the cold fingers Of winter from pinchine
their children to death. Many of these
persons are honest and sober, they are pa.
tient and enduring under severe affection
sometimes for dear children recently dead
and yet, though their lives are always full
Of pain and struggle and disappointment
they behave with patience, piety and cour
age; they are not seldom sweet enough
despite their own sorrow. to sympathize
with the sorrow-stricken. Thanks
giving is good day to remembeI
with benevolent action the worthy pool
who carry with calm endurance Their
domestic cross, when they can scarcely
spare time for mourning. so incessant il
their fight for decent existence. The,
dismiss even their dead with quick kiss
lest they hear the low howl of the wolf o.
poverty above their voice of mourning
there is no let up 10 the ceaseless cali o
.heir living upon their time and labor.
Thanksgiving is good time amid on
general domestic joy to remember thes'
humble neighhors who are always in
habituai struggle with poverty. death an,
hope deferred, who vet shoulder their eros
of calamity with dignity and carry il with
courage Seeing the suffering and sym
pathizing with the suffering of Others help
us all to bear cur own griefs with less dim
Guilty. and by living helpful life for other
we may make our personal Affections speal
in benedictions 20 the unfortunate
The thought of those who fight brave
uncomnlaining, honorable, bitter battle
with SO little success that their Thanks
SWING or Christmas is seldom merry. an,
Tho New Year often clouded by sorrow O
anxiety. ought to help the hearts anl
minds of those who have had 81 least SOM
happiness TO sweeier philosophy of lif
md conduct than the gospel of ceaseles
repining and complaint.
Thanksgiving is good time 10 remem
h,r that charity for the decent poor should
never be executed by proxy, hnt religiousl!
discharged as part of our everyday duty
g.. hepefcence does not lead selhsl
and narsimonious life all Its days, waiting
until i, is entirely done with this world b
fore il begins TO do anything for it; true
heuefioence does not leave TO its admins
.rstors TO an nounoe some big benevo!ene'
a. hmm after death that ought 10 hav'
h.en dissolved in the gentle dew of daily
acts of mercy and kindness during th'
h.rst,ctor,s life. True charity gives what
!, has TO give with its own hand withou
.nowins its bounty to dribhIe entirel!
.hrourh the fingers of official philan
thropy TO be subjected &c a severe shave
for transportation expenses
True charity is wise enough TO see tina
ANYTHING worth doing win money ai'e
death is worth doing with money befor'
death with your own hand ana Will wa'ef
rer,onallv over the fate of its own bounty
all its life. instead Of trusting 10 the per
r,nctorv execution of post-mor'em rh'ian
thropv by the spiritless hands OF IN
efflcient executors. 1t is wei to be IN
executor of your own charity whh'
vor can and not make the world Wal
mill your win is read TO ind out YOU
philanthropy; it il wise to begin yoni