The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-11-30
TEN PAGES TODAY.
THANKSGIVING DAY.


Another year has rolled around since
last the American people observed that
beautiful and time honored custom which
is peculiar to them as a Nation OF offer
ing 10 the Great Ruler of all Nations the
formal expression of their gratitude for
His continued fayors.
Last year the country had Just emerged
VIGOROUSLY from war in behalf OF civil
ization and humanity Our losses had
been comparatively slight, the chains of
despotlsm had been stricken from the
limbs of millions of human beings and
American prestige had grown greatly in
all quarters OF the earth, Thanksgiving
Day, 1898. was. therefore, an occasion
on which, particularly. the American re-
public could acknowledge It's obligations
anew and with heartfelt gratitude to the
Supreme Ruler OF the Universe,
Today we still have the watchtul care
and the material bouGtles OF Divine
Providence to re thankful for. Prosper
ity in our worldly affairs has continued
TO follow us as a people. No great calam-
ity has overtakep as within the year
which closes today; we hove been free
from famine, from virulent pestilence, OF
widespread visitations of disaster. The
uniform progress and the good fortune
which have been ours in the past we have
continued to enjoy for the twelve months
just gone. AS a Nation, therefore, espe-
cially favored by Providence, we still have
80, a "A
hopeful prayers to Him who holds IL
the hollow of His hand the destinies of
Nations as of individuals.
But have we done our duty as Il people.
fully and unselhshly and in accord with
justice, while enjoying those continued
evidences of Divine favor? There are
hundreds of thousands of us who ques-
ton our National conduct during the past
year Have we not abused our power.
given us for wise ends? Have we not
violated that basic tenet OF Christian faith
that we should do unto others only as we
would that they should do unto us? AS
surely as there is n God of Nations
retributive justice will sooner or later
overtake and chastise us as people II
We forget the high purposes of our des-
tiny or turn from the paths OF honor,
probity and humanity!
Thanksgiving Day is peculiarly the time
when these great questions should en-
gage the reflection Of the American peo-
pie. and let us trust they will be seriously
considered again today throughout the
length and breadth of our land.
But there is beauty in our Thanksgiv.
ing custom that stands apart from the
contemplation OF matters OF National in
terest. 1t is found in the social features
OF the day. 1t is a time of sweet re-
unions. when the wanderers from the old
home gather again around the family
hearth and rekindle the affections and
memories of other days. 1t la time
when the heart pulsates only with emo,
lions of gratitude and Joy, when men feel
that after all life has something TO live
for with bright hope and to remember
with grateful pleasure! II is day, too,
in which to remember the poor those into
whose unfortunate or unhappy lives there
rarely comes the occasion for thanksgiv-
ing
The Post trusts that each recurring OBJ
servance of this day may find the Ameri-
can people. both as a Nation and as in
diyiduals, with yet greater cause to return
thanks to the Oliver of all good gifts for
His manifold fayors and continued pro-
lection.