The gold leaf., 1905-12-07
APEOPLE WITH CAUSE,
q 'untiful Crops, Peace and Prosperity
FIR Which the People of the United
States Have Cause TO be Thankful
richmond News-Leader, Nov, 3Oth.

Richmond News-Leader, Nov, 3Oth.
Never in the history of the world
nave Il people had SO much for which
TO be SO profoundly grateful and to
rffer humble and earnest thanks as
he American people. Never before
i he history Of our country have we
,nown such an accumulation of
blessings as has been bOuntifulIy and
grariously showered upon us. We
,rr at peace with the world and
nrh oth her and likely to continue so.
We are prOspering splendidly. The
earth has yielded her fruit richly and
honest enterprise of all kinds and
everything is earning abundant re-
ward. Never since the foundation Of
the republic has there been such gen
eral good feeling and mutual conf
drnce us we live in now. Our people
have demonstrated triumphantly
their capacity for self-government
and i'll freedom and personal liberty
and with the conquering arts ofpeace
have made these United States the
strongest and most respected of all
the powers of the earth.
1t would he eunbpcOmingi in us to re-
loire or gloat over the msfortunes
of Others. We may learn. however.
more clearly to appreciate and un-
derstand our own blessings, may
catch a more vivid inspiration of
gratitude, by considering for
moment the condition of Russia and
of other countries of Europe and Try
ing to realize the startling contrast.
Russia today is in black darkness
and terror. She is in convulsion,
enduring the horrors of anarchy and
unOrganized internal strife following
long years of oppression and fright
ful misrnle, developing from the the
Orv OF absolute control aud posses
sion of the MASSES of the people by
hereditary mOnarchs and class. The
people of our wide, peaceful and smil-
ing land, serene in the consciousness
of her own power and of the admir-
ing good will of the word, may we'll
pause on this their great national
holiday to look with pitying eye on
the darkenrd empire over which has
fallen IL dismal and terrific silence,
broken only 10y reports of blood
and death and fright, maddened
mobs. mutinOus soldiery and a reel
ing throne
Here in the South we have many
special REASONS for thankfulneSs. We
have come triumphant and strong
through the direst dangers, the most
deadly trials IL people have eyer
knuWn We have been required to
-,'.i,e problems complicated and
'rnN,Ieh with peril aud have been on
ni'l,.I to find our way through them
to -ecurity, comfort, wealth and pro-
grn>S. 1t is for ns to keep in mind
these >p"riHl blessings, but to make
our pra, erS and thanks for he cOun-
try as IL whole. One of the chief and
best purposes OF Thanksgiving Day
is To strengthen the spirit OF unity,
To broaden our patriotism, our love
and loyalty so that they may cover
the continent. Let us try to realize
on this day the beauty and the pow
er, the meaning and the purpose OF
our great country; to understand
that we are not only stronger and
richer bur IL better people than ever
before. Never in all our history has
the public conscience been so sensi-
tive, so thoroughly aroused and SO
irresistible in its demands for truth,
honesty and cleanliness iii public ad-
ministration and in private life.
Never has religion been SO active, ell
fective and widespread. Never have
knoweledge and intelligence been so
general We have ample reason to
bow our heads in humble alteration,
to acknowledge that we have not de-
served these mercies, to implore the
continuance of them from Divine
bounty, to resolve that we will strive
earnestly to be more worthy OF them,
to believe that our cOuntryis intend
ed under the guidance OF the All-Wise
Providence to lead the human race
in every part of the globe to right
eousness, peace, freedom and light.