Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-25
Thanksgiving, %.

Thanks giving for what has happened
during the past year well as for what
has not happened is today in order. Ac-
cording to a long-honored custom the
President has proclaimed it to be the duty
of every citizen to pause on this day to offer
expressions of gratitude for the blessings
that have been sent to the nation and in
observance of this official suggestion.
echoed by the governors of the states. the
people have made the day holiday, have
suspended their business affairs. lessened
the strain of active life and have framed
their thoughts on lines of grateful recogni-
ton of the favors bestowed upon this land
by nature and proptious Providence.
Some Thanksgiving days have found the
people grateful only for the absence of
those ills from which they have been spared
They have been glad that they were not Wis
tied with disappointments and losses, while
there has been little of material considera-
ton that has come to them as positive
blessings during the year. But 1897 finds a
great majority of the people prosperous.
happy and hopeful. They have been spared
from many of the visitations of which ma
items stan0 in dread. The southern states
have suffered somewhat from pestilence.
but fortunately at such a season and under
srch circumstances of administration that
comparatively little damage was wrought.
The republic has preserved the peace
with the other nations Of the earth and has
at no point lost prestige or suffered an in
fraction Of its dignity. 1t has changed its
representation abroad owing to political
changes at home. but throughout the world
it has maintained peaceful relations and its
ambassadors and ministers have upheld the
honor of the government.
AT home the material interests of the peo-
pie have been fostered by wise laws and
benefited by the conditions of other parts
of the world. The abundant crops have
filled the store-houses while the markets
have invited the products Of the soil and the
mill at such prices that the American farm
ers. merchants. manufacturers and work
iEsmen have reaped a rich harvest. Bust
ness confidence has been in a measure re-
stored and the effects of the great COM
n.ercial spaSm of the years just previous
have been partly forgotten in the uplifting
Of every interest. Capital has come forth
With assurance from its hiding places and
in the stead of throngs of hungry men and
women. without the means of livelihood,
there now smile in happy thankfulness
thousands Of contcnted ones. sure of the
morrow and grateful for their deliverance
from a gloomy past.
This spirit of gratitude is the more mani
fest because of the practical assurance
that the present conditions will remain
stable. save SO far as they will in all like
hhood tend toward a betterment of the
material conditions surrounding the people.
The prosperity now upon the land is not
fitful gleam- 1t is due to substantial causes
and its continuation for a period of years
now seems altogether likely
In the homes of this city there are to-
day being enacted many happy scenes for
the capital has shared in the general prog
ress of the entire nation toward better
times. Washington is well content with it's
present stage. hopeful for even better
things. grateful for what it has received
and glad to be able with confidence to look
forward to further gifts from Providence