Daily Kennebec journal., 1900-11-29
THANKSGIVING DAY.


apart by our fathers to expressions Of
gratitude to the Givcr of the harvests
and to praycrful preparation for IN"
riSors of the coming winter. Ii is q
happy survival that this day comes
do|'n 10 us with its original sgni,i-
cancc unimoaircd, and it's meaning
only strcng thencd by the passing
years. Even were the national and
State proclamations omitted. the day
would s,ill be sacredly observed in the
homes of the nation, SO firmly rooted
is this good old institution in the
hearts o: the American people.
This is the real Old Home day in
New England and through the land
waerc New Englands influence has
gone. II is not so much that places OF
business close, that the schools have 4
holiday. and that services are held in
the churches. hut it IS in the homes.
around IT,. festive board and before
the open fires. that the true spirit ot
Thanksgiving finds expression and is
sg.Ic Of IL; pcTretuation. Back to the
Old home from far and near come the
wandering sons and daughters and
IN those family gatherings that are
such bright spots in the lives OF ell
and which do so much to strengthen
hearts for better service in the battle
OF life. Too seldom indeed are such
gatherings POSSIBLE; there have been
sad changes sincc the last one was
held: there vii. be others before
another November comes. The heart
chcriShe9 such family reunions rs il
does few things which life holds. and
this, is one ot the reasons why Thanks
giving means 50 much 20 all Of uS. end
why II is a season when cheer rei4na
AMI gratitude for the many blessings
He enjoy ilnds expression.
We ha.a reason 10 be thankful in
this year Of grace. Our nation has been
wonderfully blessed; the hand Of God
has been upon our state for good, and
wt have had abundant shar. of the
general happiness and prosperity; and
as individuals We all have much in our
lives for " hirh We should lift up otir
hearts in praise and Thanksgiving.
This is the las: Thanksgiving day OF
the 18th century. Il period richer in
umphs of civilizations and Christianity
than any other since the creation of
the universe II is fitting that in our
gratitude we look in review over the
past. and as we contemplate the in
finitely greater advantages and op-
portunities which We possess over
those who celebrated the last Thanks
giving day OF the last century, no in
tclligent mind can fail TO appreciate
the more the great blessings Which Nc
ENJOY.
The verdict Of the American people
III ltlp itbliS lOt ildlioiidl iioi4pi sAA.h
patriotism give us additional reasons
for a devout Thanksgiving. this year.
Il is one Of our greatest blessings as 4
nation and as individuals that the
questions Will, which MIR. Bryan has
vexed US for four years have been set
tied forever. Twice repudiated and re
,iccteI, he will not again hav" the
harlhood or the power to insult us
with his pretensions Bryan and Bry
anism have passed into history. There
has never been any reason 70 doubt
that the good sense of the people
would preserve the country from the
ca!amity of his election. SO that III de-
fcatirg him wc cannot say that ""
have directly gained anythins-Wc
have only kept what we had, making;
it more secure But there is in in
dire Il gain Of value and moment. We
gain confidence in ourselves. in the
stability of our institutions, in the
GteadineSs of the national purpose.
and We gain in the respect of other
na tions by exhibiting our wisdom in
this conspicuous fashion by proving,
that We are safe and steady. sane ana
honest ana not in danger OF any up
rising nf the ignorant and the reckless
under the leadership of dcmaG0cucS
and dangerous men. That is an i'm
Incnsc gain for The nation. For that
vc ought To give thanks.
And 50 with glad and hopeful hearts
lot us all observe this day in the spirit
of our forcfa hers ami Of the proclan.a-
ti0nS of our President and Governor.
The light Of another century's dawn is
breaking in the East. Let every heart
and every home prepare TO meet il
u tn grateful recognition of what the
past has done and what the future
promises.
Thankful for strength IN strife:
tsor faith more steadfast than the stars
above.
Thankful that life is life.
And love Is love.