Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-25
THURSDAY, ...........NOV. %. 1897.
THANKSGIyING-DAy.

we could wish TO see Thanksgiving
Day more heartily observed than is the
custom in this sweet land of liberty"
Editors write soothngly about it,,
and ministers set forth i'm solemn SER
mons the duties of the hour, but for all
that. we are inclined to think there is a
much less soulful observance of the holt
day than is good for u.s.
We make no objection to Jolly family
reunions. nor to dinners where the board
groans beneath the weight of Thanks
giving turkey and pies, nor to any in
nocent pastimes or recreations. but
we should like to see a more feryent
Thanksgiving spirit in the hearts of the
people.
AS country, we have been highly
favored by Providence. We may growl
and groan as we please; We may in
weigh as literally as we like against
presidents. congresses, legislatures, and
city councils; we may denounce rings
trusts. demagogues, and politicians TO
our hearts content. and we may declare
that financial and Industrial cataclysm
Is impending, but where is the man
among us who wishes TO emigrate? On |
the other hand, look abroad at the mill |
lions whose one ambition il is TO make |
their homes upon these shores, so IA /
vorable have been the reports Of this
land received from those of their friends
who have come hither.
Where is X that the masses of the
people are better off than we are in
the United States? Where is it that
life holds out better prospect?
ours is restless and ambitious spirit.
We not only wish our country 10 he
bigger, richer and more powerful than
any other country, but. with rare excep-
Mons each OF US wants TO have more OF
wealth. power, and position than his
neighbor has. That is just the spirit to
develop industrial activity and CONNER
cial greatness, but too often II is n
spirit fatal to individual happiness
Those who are getting ahead in the race
OF life pant for stil further advance
ment while those who have been dis
tanced upon the course beat their
breasts and murmur loudly. For one
who is contented hundred are discon- '
Tented. How few realize the truth of h
The saying that ''he who is poor and
content is rich enough? a
In our songs and prayers TODAY o,,r f
thankful hearts should suggest and our q
willing lips should utter words of graft v
Jude for the manifold blessings that we v
snJoy; blessings for the favored age IN a
which we live, for the bread and bounte- h
'us land that is ours, for freedom, | D
rom foreign wars and domestic violence f,
or the kindly frosts that have driven n
'estilence from our borders, for the
generous yields OF our fields, and for
much more of goodness and mercy that q
'e have not merited. And let us espe- Il
iaily pray for the true spirit of thank $,
Illness, OF which Content is born. Well a,
nay we invoke the Almighty to aid MS 81
approaching the favors that He has 81
hown this generation Of Americans br
hink how much better of we are than mr.
ere our immigrant forbears who went on
their plows or to their places OF IN
orshfp with their rifles slung from their no
'oulders! Or our Revolutionary fore mn
'thers. who perilled their lives and for IL
ines In freedoms uncertain battle. Or sh
le men OF 1851, who were brougb. -,
zee TO face with the colossal problem
the century. Now. here we are to-day {
well off-all things consldered-as any a.,
her people, and with a prospect in
mparably more promising than that a.
any other country upon the globe
The most that we Americans lack is -.
intent which is but synonym for
atefulness 10 our Heavenly Father
Dc land is full OF discontent-of per- a"
ms who think they have been sighted an
fortune. and who envy the success .
others. This is condition against e"'
'ich We must struggle. Habtual dis ser
intent is an enemy that we must on
Sc increasingly, or II will Danish happi- q
IS from our homes and bring the land s'e
grief is
ny 10 be truly thankful for with IL ""'
u come ali the graces and comforts
'hat angelic glsitor>-Content. "