Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-30
THURsDAY.... NOVEMBER 80. 1sG
TuaSHSGIyING-DAY.

Tbsrksgiying- Day would be more gen
sraily and heartily observed If 1t were
not for the fact that so many men ana
women are firmly OF the opinion that
tbey have not pr0spered as they have
deserved. The bump of self-esteem IS very
largely developed and widely distributed
md where one person keeps in nina inc
things he should be grateful for two or
moro nurmur against fate" or "ill luck,
or Providence.
If we could but put away discomfort;
II we could but quiet the promptings OF
envy: If we would but consider our own
unwortniness. and the infinite goodness
If God. each annual ThanksgiVng-Day
would be a Jubilee. But, alas. the OLD
Adam I'm us is not dead yet and we not
only want all the good things that are
ours. but others that are not put before
us. The pious lessons of the day, there
/ fore. ought TO teach people to recognize
and appreciate the blessings they enjoy
without that recognition there cannot
be such thanksgiving spirit as there
ought TO be And if the spirit be absent.
vain are our laundering anthems and
pompous phrases.
IL is well for ms 10 understand. too, that
the Almighty distributes His blessings
more evenly than appears at first glance.
This is an important consideration at all
times but especially so now, when there
are amazing successes in business, social,
and political life-successes which dazzle
the world and excite the envy Of many
But let us remember that great station
does not necessarily carry with it great
happiness. There have been kings who
wore underneath their robes of state and
next TO their skins. hair-cloth shirts. And
there have been very poor and afflicted
men and women who had joyous spirits
and were as happy and thankful as the
Miller OF Dee.
80 far as our country is concerned, we
have great cause for thanldulness. The
public health has been excellent despite
apprehensions, first from yellow-fever,
and then from smallpox. Speaking gene
rally, the efforts OF the husbandman
have been rewarded with abundant har-
sssts Labor is now more generally en-
ployed than az any time in the last ten
years. Religion and education are spread
ing. and producing results which will not
only be beneficial in this, our earthly
pilgrimage, but, what is vastly more i'm
portant. will prepare US for the life 10
come. The sword has not yet been beaten
into a plow-share, or the spear into a
pruning hook, but, on the contrary, the
military and naval establishments of
every great nation are being increased
with astounding Tapidity. but there are
those who see the hand of Providence in
all that 1t may be so; we are dreadfully
short-slghted creatures.
Though the human race may be beue-
fited eventually by these wars. il is i'm
possible TO conceal the fact that per-
sonal avarice and the national spirit Of
conquest and covetousness have had
much TO do with bringing them on. We
can at least be thankful that modern
wars are vastly less brutal than those OF
the olden time were, and that conquered
peoples now enjoy immunities, and may
indulge hopes unthought Of in times past.
To-day from every house Of worship,
from every family altar IN this land
prayer should be made invoking divine
guidance upon our country in its dealings
with the new peoples. whom the spirit OF
imperialism would so suddenly so
strangely. drag into our national house
hold.