The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-28
THE LAND OF LIBERTY.

LINN VI hlDbn
Wher tho Pilgrim Fathers, newly landed
on the coasts OF Massachusetts, faced with
brave hearts the coming winter, whose
threatening severity was already heralded
by the cold November winds, and with
devout GratefJilness set about commence
rating on that bleak coast, in that dreary
season, day of solemn thanksgiving and
rejoicing, their SONGS OF praise could have
emanated only from the exultant faith of
strong souls. that even in the wilderness
We're able to see the coming glory OF the
promised lard, and III the desolations
around them discern assurances of what
in the fullness of time would come to
people solemnly dedicated to the main
tenance on earth of that eternal truth
whose spirit is liberty and whose form is
! law.
Between that Thanksgiving day and
this, manifold and marvellous have been
the works wrought for humanity in the
name of liberty and truth. The most fer
vent faith of the Pilgrims could have
hardly foreseen that which is to US the
realization of daily life. II is not solely
in all material comforts, conveniences ana
Injuries our life affords en- impressive
contrast to theirs. Not merely that the
desolations have given place to gardens,
that dangers have passed away, and that
cheerful fresides have driven the bleak
ness from November evenings. Not in
these only, nor in things like these, have
the greatest changes been wrought. 1t is
in the high domain of liberty and truth
the Pilgrims loved so well that the great
est advance has been made, and that the
glory of our realization has outstripped
the dreams of their faith.
They loved liberty and they loved truth,
these Pilgrim Fathers, but they loved
with blind zeal, not recognizing that he
who would serve these must in all things
serve humanity. BY slow degrees through
the years since the first Thanksgiving day,
have the thoughts OF men risen to higher
conceptions OF these sublime ideas until
to-day we occupy almost another sphere
of thought in regard to them. From our
America have been banished many forms
Of falsehood and tyranny which the Pill
grims did not recognize as tYrannous or
false. Political subsection to Europe, reli-
gious intolerance, industrial slavery, dis
tinchons of caste and class, and hundred
Pilgrims by education, have been outgrown
by their descendants. They were free &C
cording to European ideas, but we are free
with the freedom of America-absolved
completely from every form of tyranny
over the mind OF man.
Hard would it be 20 set bounds to the
things for which in all gratefulness we are
to give thanks to-day. Within the limits
OF mortal destiny, where sorrows and suf-
fering must ever be as a part of human
education. we are, indeed, blessed with
many blessings. No land is fairer than
ours, no skies more genial, no soil more
variously fruitful, no harvests more abun-
dant, no people more kindly, no comfort
more universal, no homes more secure, no
progress more certain, no National life
more steadfast. With US is the hope
of the world, the helpfulness of the
highest humanity, and with US will
these things remain while nations en-
dure. They are ours, for, like all good
things, they are based on freedom, and
this is freedoms land. Here liberty is not
hidden in the heart of the individual, but
lives openly in the law, having her temple
in the constitution, her bulwarks in every
statute, her affairs in every court her vota-
ries in every citizen her defenders in every
strong arm and valiant heart, while her
symbols stream in the glory of every starry
banner whose beauty flames in the winds
Of heaven.
Thanksgiving day is peculiarly an
American holiday. It is a day to re-
member that America is something more
than a geographical expression; day to
recall her glory as nation as well as the
comforts OF her people: day to revive
memories OF her eyentful history, the
sublime deeds OF her heroes, the eloquence
of her inspired orators, and by meditation
upon her true grandeur arrive at that de-
voCt gratefulness which will make our
Thanksgiving not rejoicing only. but
solemn dedication CT ourselves to the ser
vices OF this great land of freedom whose
mighty destinies rest for this generation
at least in the charge of our love, loyalty
and patriotism