Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-11-25

The harvest has cone and the aftermath has
passed, and the people of the great republic
are prospering as never before IN all the
wondrous history of development of this
God-favored people.
The president and the governors of all
the states, following an example established
by Washington and confirmed by Lincoln
and his successors, have issued proclama-
tons calling upon ali the people Of all the
states to remember the generous kindness
Of the Giver Of all, God, by returning unto
| Him prayers of thanksgiving for the
blessings he has vouchsafed so freely to the
/ nation.
Americans, properly and wisely doubtless,
may differ as to proper lines of domestic and
/ foreign policy, bat all who are here have
a common heritage, and owe their homage
| to the one common Source of all that is
i received.
Thanksgiving day is peculiarly anomalous
| In this that the United States, alone IN all the
nations in that it gives official recognition
| to no religion and utters recognition of no
God in all the universe, is the only one Of all
the nations which annually and unbrokenly
sets apart a day in which 10 return CRATE
full thanks to the one God of us all for HIS
mercies and His blessings.
Here is no compulsion-no law exacting
| outward form of worship, or penalty for
failure to comply. The proclamations are
suggestive, or advisory only, In their nature
| Yet, left free to this action, the spectacle
| VIII be observed to-day, as 10 similar past
anniversaries, that citizens of all creeds,
Catholics, Protestants, Hebrews, Shinto-
lists and ConfuciaDs will gather each in their
own place of assembly and carry out pro
gramme Of worship, designed to show graft
tude for the Divine goodness.
. All minor differences of religions and po-
litical and religious faith disappear before
the majesty of Gods goodness and faith in
Him, and in free country that is common
and dear to all.
IT is not well or wise to say that God has
favored this people above all other peoples
: for such would be vaunting Of ones sell
above others. 1t is competent, though, tC
reflect that God has raised up on this con
tinent within an incredibly short period {
great and mighty nation; that He has causeC
His face to shine upon them and made then
to flourish as a green bay tree by the water
edge.
a He who receives With thankless hear
: has no appeal to confidence of his fellow
: and is unworthy the esteem of any who ar
e reputed to be good. Ingratitude is the priv
o ilege of kings, as it has been said, and o
n those who think their pleasures the highes
: obligation of their nature.
Yet this people is not ungrateful. II is
God-fearing people. Whether north o
south, or east, or west, all looking from tn
grave of the loved that is dead TO the sta
whose light tends to strengthen the ever an
forever of mans existence. Whether
snow-girt Alaska, or amid the sunshine {
the southland; or watered by Atlantic OF p
cifc-here and there, and in all places Of th
= states, Thanksgiving day is honored and oil
served In spirit and in letter. And tn
- Ill tbox fho oh Z
( It is borne over the waves to islands whel
"a now floats the tri-color flag of freedom
Blessed is that nation whose God is III
Lord. for from such He viii withhold Z
thing that is good.
~ WILLIAM RosSER COBBE.