South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1892-12-02

Va A4tetur1s " osuiDtb OEs ieSueu IN
january, 1875, nesrly ninety -eight
yesrs ago, might have boon written
for The year 1891 just as appropri-
ately. The Father OF his Country
points oat to the people the bles-
sings for which in common graft
tude they should render thanks to
the Great Ruler OF Nations. Among
these things are "the possession OF
constitutions Of government which
unite and by their union establish
liberty With orier;'> "the prcserva
ton Of our peace, foreign and do
mestic;" t'the prosperous condition
OF our affairs, public and private. -
To Thanksgiving for those things
the great patriot urged that prayer
should be added-prayer to tho
kind Author OF these blessings gra-
ciously to prolong them to us; to
imprint on our hearts a deep and
SOLEMN sense Of our obligations TO
Him for them; TO teach us rightly
to estimate their immense value"
There was, perhaps, never a time
when the blessing tho people of this
land enjoy in the possession Of a
system Of government which mite, 5
and establishes liberty with order
was more forcibly illustrated than
in the recent election. Twelve
millions Of voters went quietly to
the polls, accomplished revolu-
ton and the next day went about
their various pursuits as il nothing
had happened. Not riot, not q
bayonet to DO seen, not drop OF
blood shed, scarcely disturbance
throughout the length aud breadth
OF the landl To what other people
has a more law-abiding spirit been
granted? In what other country
could the policy of the government
and the SCENTS Of the people in con-
Quoting the government be chang
ed 80 peacefully? All patriotic cit
icons may not agree that the poo
pie have acted wisely in making
the change, but no one Will fail to
rejoice and give thanks that the
people possess the power to change
the policy Of their govern ment if
they will. 1t is power that pa
triotic people hare commended for
from the beginning, and without
which men are not freemen but
bondmen. The people, it may be,
as has been faid, move with lead
en- heel, but when they strike they
strike with an iron hand and moth
ing can resist the popular will in
this country. 1t is an especial
cause for Thanksgiving above all
others that whatever may be
thought of the wisdom Of the pop
ular verdict, all agree that 1t is a
free and unpurchased verdict.
The United States is in the en-
joyment Of peace within its borders
and with all the void. 1t is net
only free from foreign wars and
complications, but is free from fear
Of them. Other countries may live
in the midst Of alarms, whilst our
people dwell in safety. Other and
less favored lands haye been scourg
ed with peStllence and famine,
whilst this happy land has been in
the enjoyment Of health and plen-
ty. Indeed, the only great COM
plant our people have to make is,
perhaps, from too great an abund-
ance. The crops have been so ov-
erwhelming, the supply of bread
and meat so far in excess of tho de-
nand that the markets have been
depressed. But surely every hon
est and grateful heart will rejoice
and give thanks that the year has
been crowned with goodness in
the increass OF the ground and the
gathering in Of the fruits thereof
In the midst Of 1T all it will be a
churlish heart that can find moth.
ing to be thankful for to-day, and
that, having the means, does not
give some other heart cause to bs
thsnktul.--Bslto. Sun Nov. "a.
The occasions for general rejoic