New-York tribune., 1896-11-24
THANKFULNESS WITH RESERTA TONS

THANKFULNESS WITH RESERVATIONS.
There's curious hesiancy in the tone of the
Thanksgiving proclamations of the Governors
of some of the Western States-notably OF Mis-
souri, and Arkansas They convey the impress
sion that their authors were in doubt whether
to recommend q Thanksgiving or n Fast with
a decided leaning toward the latter but that
in Difference 10 established usage they had
finally with considerable reluctance decided TO
fall into line with the rest of the States ana
make it Thanksgiving. Obviously. they have
no heart in it. The only thing they can see in
existing conditions to be thankful for Is that
they are no worse. They say. in so many words.
that the ways Of Providence are inscrutabe, but
there's a certain recalcitrance in their way OF
saying it which makes one suspect that what
they mean is not inscrutable, but INSCRIPTIONS.
The first thing that occurs to the reader OF these
rather perfunctOry recas OF causes for thank
fulness-~as though there was really not much in
them, but they would have to dds that they
ought properly to begin with nevertheless.
They won't stand in the way Of thoughtlesS ana
misguided citizens, who are welded to old Gus
toms or ignorantly believe they have something
to be thankful for, but for their own part they
see nothing in the situation which is not calcu-
lated to deprcss the thoughtful patriot.
Governor Stone of Missouri prcfaced his proc
lamation with the explanatory statement that
the President having designated the 2Gth OF
November as day Of National thanksgiving. he
felt it becoming that he should, "in pursuance
"of custom. supplement the proclamation of the
president by appointing the same day. for the
citizens of Missouri BY way OF apology to Mr.
Bryan and his friends. who cannot understand
H.. ~,.,;, ,ftA oh
National disaster, he says: 'rhe ways OF
"Providence are not always entirely clear to
mortal eyes. but in His own way and in His
Gown time the Lord works out His ends. That
is TO say, he does not clearly understand
WHY Providence did not order things in
accordance with his views. but it is bare
L. possible that Providence may come out
all right in the end At any rate. he Is will
ing to give Providence the benefit Of the doubt.
Then. rising almost to checrfulness he says that.
after all. there are few conditions that could
mot he worse. and no matter what causes may
exist for discomfort. there are always abundant
"reasons for gratitude and thanksgiving" More
over, he says, in conclusion, that while the Oc-
currences of the year have rot been unmixed
with evil 1t is safe to say that Missouri has had
as little reason 10 complain and as much reason
to rejoice as any other State. Which, though
not an overjoyous ebulliton, seems to answer
the purpose and fill the bill. Governor Stone is
a statesman full Of resource
Governor Clarke Of Arkansas did not issue his
proclamation until last Saturday. He remained
longer in doubt about 1t than Governor Stone.
but finally got it out in time to reach most OF
his constituents He tells the people of Arkan-
sas that they ARE infinitely indebted to their
Maker for the blessings Of general good health
"and for measure Of social and material pros
"perty that it has not been within the power Of
man to entirely destroy by unwise policies and
laws" He finds some cause for gratitude in
| the fact that the people of Arkansas have been
provided fol- in abundance from Gods store
houses; but this statement he qualities by add
| ing that ''our only cause for murmur or COM
| 'plaint Is to be found in such things as the mis-
guided action Of our fellow citizens in other
| sections have imposed upon us. With us every
| prospect pleases, and only man Is vile.'" This
| Is a little mixed, but we do moi understand him
| to mean that the Arkansas man Is vile; only the
| citizens of other sections. He closes with the
| recommendation that the people Of Arkansas
render thanks 'for the privileges yet preserved
ITO us OF still persisting in our task Of making
| ''thOse now cropping In the darkness Of selfish
| mess and error know the right and. knowing,
| "dare to maintain It," The proclamation. It will
| be observed. Is quite In the minor key, but the
| "fellowcitizen in other sections "now cropping
| in the darkness Of selfshness and error may
| find renewed cause for thankfulness In the as
| surance II gives that the citizens Of Arkansas
| will persist In their task Of making them 'know