The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-11-23
TUESDAY, November %, 1897.
POLITICAL THANKSGiVERS.

The Washington Post of Sunday de-
votes the best part Of a page to tele-
graphic thanksgiving sentiments from
prominent men all over the country, in
eluding cabinet ministers, Congressman,
Governors of various States and mayors
Of many cities. They are undoubtedly
interesting; they disclose an attempt at
discrimination on the part of the thanks
givers which would seem to proceed
from no less desire than that of say
ing something that will be at once ac-
eeptable to constituents and to the
Almighty. In this sense they are badly
sacriligeous. They open up undreamed
Of possibilities in prayer that put the
plant phrases of a political platform to
the blush. Not that many of the pro-
visos are not, humanity speaking, we'll
based, butt we submit that under the
treatment, the conception of Thanks
giving Day becomes a shrivelled affair,
instead of an humble Acknowledgement
OF mans general indebtedness to the
Creator in spite of specific conditions.
The "leading motive" of these senti-
nents, from both viewpoints, at once,
may be thus paraphrased: eve thank
thee, o Lord, for one dollar wheat, but
We want it distinctly understood that
we do not include FIVE cents cotton in
eur remarks" All right, but should this
day be chosen as a time for taking an
inventory of stock on hand with price
list to be handed up in summarized
form to the Giver Of all Good who marks
the sparrow's fall? We submit, we say,
that it is, in the highest sense, if not
70 intended, yet sacrilege.
Governor Russell contributes his
mite as follows:
"Have the people Of North Carolina
cause for thankfulness? Yes; they
have something to be thankful for, and
much to hope for. They, with the rest
of the country, have cause to hope for
deliverence from the bondage of a
moneyed oligarchy"
Governor Russell has the brazen
effrontery thus to color his petition with
an irony, the occasion for which, if there
could properly be such occasion, is the
triumph of the party to which he him.
self belongs. With the Republican creed
to which Governor Russell gives his al
legiance, he should thank the Lord that
he is on earth and that he has three
meals a day.
Secretary Sherman in is expression
recognizes this: "Every earnest man
carefully considering his blessings
In proportion to his deserts should rev.
erently render his hearty thanks for
she good things that Divine Providence
has given him."
Here is message from Secretary
Alger, that in the words of the late Mr..
Beecher, Should cause the angel to
smoker who carries it up: "The OBJ
servance Of Thanksgiving each year
should be a part Of the religion Of every
time, but especially so for this year
where prosperity has spread over the
land"
This hosannah from Bliss:
'The conditions existing a year ago
have been overcome, and where there
was doubt and perplexity as to the fu-
ture, the American people by their in
austry, energy, and confidence in God,
have brought prosperity upon the land"
Pingree: "The highest duty of citizen
ship to-day is to fight to the finish finan-
eial systems which increase the power
and wealth Of the few at the expense of
the many. For this day OF Thanksgiv-
ing the world is waiting"
Congressman Hunter: whilst we
cannot be thankful for anything the
present Administration has done, yet we
should be thankful that the American
voter is rapidly learning that an AFRO
CANT oligarchy and gold plutocracy are
dangerous factors in the body polite
OF popular government"
We have then one politician thanking
the Lord for prosperity and the other
thanking the Lord that men are waking
up to the causes of the present adver-
sity. What is the good preacher to do
in his Thanksgiving prayer between
these two positions? There is one thing
sure: the Lord does not wish to be
Football circles suffered distinct