The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-11-20
a THANKSGIVING SPIRIT.

O better use can be made OF the leisure of this
! N dav OF rest than that of cultivating a propel
/ spirit for the enjoyment of Thanksgiving week
The occasion is one which justiheS more than or
binary outburst OF national rejoicing 1t is also one
which will celebrate unusual degree OF Individual
prosperity 1t should be made, therefore, Thanks
giving season OF so notable.a nature as to remain
memorable in the lives OF all
The moods and tempers of people are very
largely affected by the character OF the chief execu-
tive who presides over their affairs. When Cleveland
was President we were all of or less agrees
sive in politics Partisanship was extreme and fac
tona divisions were deeply drawn. different mood
prevails now. With Mckinley there has come in an
era of good feeling The sympathetic, broadly toll
Grant and kindly nature OF the President has had its
effect upon the whole people. We are, therefore,
freer from irritating dsagreements among ourselves
than we have been for years past and that IN
itself is matter for no little rejoicing.
Moreover for long series of years there has been
considerable tendency among the American people
toward discomfort with everything from crops 10
politics. AS results of that tendency there arose
among us a numerous class OF agitators who from
the tone of their declarations became known as
calamity howlers In all parts OF the Union there
was something like widespread public sentiment
more or less in harmony with these howlers. We
seemed in danger OF becoming nation OF malcon-
tents kickers and compainers. In that temper our
Thanksgiving were largely perfunctory ceremonies
and we were but scant grateful even when the turkey
was most savory and the pumpkin pie most delicious
different temper prevails this year. We have be-
come so cheerful and SO hopeful people that the
voice Of the calamity bowler has ceased to be heard
among us The factions of discomfort have vanished
from the haunts of business and of social lite, anc
even in politics they made but small showing at the
elections Pessimism has given way to optimism.
The people have recovered their natural buoyancy and
once more look with unjaundiced eyes upon the
bright and Frightening prospects Of their families,
their communities and their country.
In addition to these changes in the mood OF the
people there have been equally notable changes IN the
environment of the nation to make an exceptionally
glad Thanksgiving. We have fought war tor the
cause OF liberty and humanity which has brought VIC
tory to our flag and added dominion to our territory
1t has increased our prestige among the nations OF
the earth and adorned the annals of history with other
illustrations of the heroism of soldiers and sailors
When to thoughts of these things consideration IS
given to the Astounding prosperity OF the year Tor
almost all the industries OF the people, when the
superb financial condition OF the nation is recalled
when its high influence among the powers OF the
earth is regarded it will be perceived that Thanks
giving week this year ought to be made more univer-
sally and more deeply felt than 1t has been for
us a prosperous, proud and glorious year, and our
rejoicing should be in corresponding measure