The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-11-08
THANKSGIVING ON asTH NOvEM.
BER-

Der.
The president has issued a ank
giving proclamation, the day appointed
being 2Sth November. It is ittingly ex-
pressed, and after appropriately refer
ing to the recent tragic death of Presi-
dent Mckinley. he appeals to the people
and declares that they are more resolv-
ed than ever before to preserve their lib
cites and free Institutions n must
be done, or the republic will disappear
as other covenants have disappeared,
and in place Of the hitherto liberal and
satisfying government-the one the
g-L1t -athe.s established, there will be
strong, centralized power that in a few
years will take on the p%retentions and
exert the control OF a monarchy or an
empire. The late behavior of the
people at large is r~eassuring. 1t shows
that UP to now, when they comprehend
the trend of affairs, and nave a clear
understanding of threatened dangers to
a 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
n used as his own in an address, they
are ready to meet the emergency and
will unit. in the preservation of free
institutions and civil liberty on these
shores. The Baltimore Sun says that
the United States have cause not only
for thankfulness but pride in that at a
time OF intense excitement, when the
eyes of all nations were conferred upon
them, they gave the world convincing
evidence of the stability of republican
institutions, as we'll as a striking Illus
tration OF h soberness and self-re-
straint of a democracy. 1t is the fash
ion nowadays not only among monarch
ists, but among some reared under a re-
publican form of government to assert
that democrats are inherently weak and
cannot have a permanent existence. The
American people proved in the recent
crisis hat they possess the spirit and
determination which assure the perpet-
uity of a republican form of govern
ment 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 as
poets have been most encouraging and
Iais country is already in the lead of all
other countries in some important par
ticulars. 1t is n good time now for peo-
pie with good salaries and a paying
business. But living is fifty percent.
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. Cot
ton is cut off one-third. and prices are
at least 21a cents a pound lower than
this time in 1900. But the commercial
view is very fattering and some $780,
600 of Americans are simply rolling in
clover" There is a lark spot on the
nations horizon-that long, unjust,
costly war 10, 900 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 indeed, 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 particularly 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 meritorious.
Hunt them up. Give aims with our
prayers. We copy the following from
the Sun on this important portion Of the
proclamation of thanksgiving:
He believes hat deeds should be
linked with the words with which We
express our gratitude. We can best
prove our thankfulness to the Almigh-
ty'. says the president, by the way in
which on this earth and at this time
each of us does his duty to his fellow
men, That is a little sermon which all
OF us can take to heart. No man will
enjoy his thanksgiving less for doing
his duty to his fellow-men.' That is a
large phrase, to be sure, including the
whole question of human conduct and
human relations. But it is not a gilt
tering generality and an individual
application can be given it by all Of us,
unless, as a people we are so Seh-com-
placent that we a see no room for i'm
provement in ourselves, either as a ma
ton or as individuals"
THE OUR ON TRIAL.