The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-30
Thanksgiving.

Every man knows to-day his own reasons
for thankfulness or for lamentation over
his lot, but that the vast majority OF the
people OF this country, taken together. ere
now In a happier and more prosperous con-
dition than ever before In their history
and than any other people in the world, Is
easily proved.
This Republic is at peace. except 80 far as
Il Is stamping out the embers OF the prac-
tically extingushed fire OF instruction In
the Philippines. The task has been pushed
through during the last month, with tho
aid OF necessary resnforcements. and with
Q loss to our troops which Is comparatively
insignificant. All England is in mourning
because OF the terrible slaughter In South
Africa and the direful prospect Ia that the
killing and wounding have only begun
With us. the end OF sanguinary warfare in
the Philippines Ia close at hand II not
already reached.
The business prosperity which began to
set in as soon as the American people had
indicated so splendidly the financial honor
and integrity Of the Nation in 1896 has
since steadily gathered force and Ia now
extending to every form OF industry and
enterprise. Wages are high and the home
and foreign demand for our products is
great beyond precedent. The promise of
long continuance OF this prosperity Is
brighter than at any past period.
We are approaching the year OF a Presi-
Dental election, yet there Ia none OF the
alarm as to the coincident and consequent
disturbance to trade and financial con-
ditions which the near arrival of
such contest has usually excited.
Practically the main issue to be met Is
already settled and the interests OF the
people dictate the decision 40 plainly that
no doubt OF the result impairs the con-
fidnnce with which the future is regarded
by the markets and the exchanges. The
prospect, therefore, Is OF n Presidential
campaign In 1000 which will interfere with
the progress and prosperity OF the bust
ness OF the Republic to a far less degree
than any past contest OF the kind though
more than fifteen million electors will cast
their ballots in November, 1900.
The condition OF the people as to health
and security ia better than ever before.
Because OF advances in medicine and sur
gerry and sanitary protection and precau-
ton the average NJ life IL increasing.
Science IL steadily extending to all society
blessings and privileges once obtainable
only by tho few, or not even possible to
them. The rich are not growing richer
and the poor poorer. as demagoRucs and
social charlatans assert. but throughout
our society there is levcling upward
Luxuries once confined to princes are now
within the easy reach of everybody. Rags
and tatters have disappeared from our
streets. Drunkenness Ia decreasing.
IT, therefore. man dismisscs from con-
sideraton ills which may be peculiar to
himself and looks abroad over so 'iety. he
will find abundan; opportunity for rejoic-
ing and hope for the American people Ms
whole. II Ia preparing tn enter upon
the second century Of its national exist
ence happier. more united, more prosper
Gus, more powerful in the world than ever
before in its history. Thus II can
look ahead into the twentieth century with
far greater assurance Of progress and
improvement in all the arts and blessings
Of civilization than mankind has had at
any previous time since first man began
to contend with the forces NJ nature and
the obstacles to his highest possible de-
velopment.