The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-11-14
MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.
AS a People and as individuals we
Have Cause for Gratitude Toward
the Father of all Blessings.
Wilmington Messenger.

Wilmington Messenger.
The President has issued Thanks
giving proclamation, the day APP
pointed being 2sth Novem Der. 1t is
fittingly expressed, and after apPro-
priatsly referring to the recent tragic
death Of President Mckinley, he aP-
psals to the people and declares that
thew are more resolved than ever be-
fore to preserve their liberties and
free institutions. This must be done,
or the republic will disappear as other
governments have disappeared, and in
place Of the hitherto liberal and salts
fying govsrnment-the one the great
fathers established, there will be
strong, centralized power that in
few years will take on the pretentions
and exert the control of a monarchy
or an empire. The late behavior OF
the people at large is reassuring. 1t
shows that up to now, when they
comprehend the trend of affairs, and
have clear understanding Of threat
ened dangers to government OF the
people and for the people and by the
people, to quote what the old New
England school teacher wrote in the
thirties, and Lincoln stole and used as
his own in an address, they are ready
to meet the emergency and Will unite
in the preservation of free instltu-
tions on these shores. The Baltimore
Sun says that the United States have
''cause not only for thankfulness but
pride in that at time Of intense e1-
citement, when the eyes OF all nations
were centered upon them, they gave
the world convincing evidence of the
stability of Republican institutions,
as well as a striking illustration OF
the soberness and self-restraint OF
Democracy. 1t is the fashion nova
days not only among monarchists,
but among some reared under Re
publican form Of government to assert
that Democrats are inherently weak
and cannot have permanent exist
encc. The American people proved
in the recent crisis that they possess
tho spirit and determination which
assure the perpetuity Of Repub lican
form Of government in the United
States
This country is very prosperous at
present and has been for three or four
years. 1t is true that the material
aspects have been most encouraging
and this country is already in the
lead of all other countries in some i'm
portant particulars. 1t is a good
tine now for people with good sala-
ries and a paying business. But liv-
ing is fifty per cent. higher to the
laboring class--the bread winners
in the South, and no doubt in the
North. The pay they get remains the
same.
The Southern farmers are short.
Cotton is cut off one-third, and prices
are at least p cents a pound lower
than this time in 1909. But the COM
mercial view is very hattering and
some 1900, 900 of Americans are SIM
ply ''rolling in clover There is
dark spot on the nations horizon
that long, unjust, costly war 10000
miles from home. The people of the
United States have had immunity
| from the great scourges at home of
war, pestilence, famine. earth quakes,
| whereof they should be very glad in
| deed, and should render to the Great
God, the Father of all peoples and the
Bestower of all blessings, the sincere
thanks Of grateful and adoring hearts.
We like one thing particular in the
Presidents proclamation. 1t is for
the people to give of their means to
the poor and afflicted and to bestow
gifts on those who are specially meri
torious. Hunt them up. Give aims
with your prayers. We copy the fol-
lowing from the Sun on this impor-
tant portion of the proclamation of
thanksgiving:
He believes that deeds should be
linked with the words with which we
express our gratitude. We can best
| prove our thankfulness to the AL
mighty, says the President, by the
way in which on this earth and at
this time each Of us does his duty TO
! his fellowmen.' That is little SER
| mon which all Of us can take to heart.
| No man will enjoy his thanksgiving
| less for doing his duty to his fellow
men That i. large phrase, to be
sure. including the whole question OF
human conduct and human relations
But it is not 'glittering generality
and an individual application can be
given it by all Of us, unless, as a peo-
pie, we are so self-complacsnt that We
can see no room for improvement in
| ourselves, either IS nation or as
individuals"