The National tribune., 1905-11-23

THANKSGIVING DAY.
The President of the United States
has recommended that next Thursday
be observed as Thanksgiving Day. when
all the people unite In expressing
gratitude to the Most High for the many
and signal blessings which our coun-
try has enjoyed during the now closing
year.
Never since the war have we had SO
much occasion for thanksgiving. Not
merely our history but that of the
world can be scanned i'm vain for such
remarkable and general prosperity as
has blessed every American during the
year. Crops have been unprecedent-
eddy good everywhere, and prices re-
munerative. The farmers are beaming
with satisfaction over the proceeds of
the years work. Trade has been ac-
tive in all branches. Factories have
everywhere been running on full time.
with a ready demand for all that they
could make. at prices which allowed
good wages to employees, and adequate
returns upon investment. Our export
trade is the largest of any year in our
history, with the prospect that next
year will be still better. There has been
employment for all who wished it, at
the best wages ever paid, and the din
ner-pail has been full to overfiowing
with more really good things than ap-
pear on a nobleman's table in Europe.
With the exception of a slight furry
Of yellow fever. pestilence has stayed
it's bony hand, and the health every
where has been remarkably good.
Not a shadow of war has disturbed
our equanimity, but on the other hand
the Oriental War to conclusion, and
thereby much enhanced our National
prestige.
Above these material blessings the
thing to be the most thankful for
is the great awakening to. the need
of a higher standard of purity and
honesty in business, office and politics.
mand has been salutary though siren
uous even to violence. Several official
malefactors and financial INSIDERS have
been sent to the penitentiary, others
are fugitives from justice, and many
others are suffering what must be the
keenest of punishments to them in the
entire loss of position and reputation
lied and disciplined rings of grafters
iii all the large cities, which long lease
of power made braZenly defiant, have
been completely overthrown by the
force of aroused public opinion. A far
healthier tone pervades all branches Of
political and business life than at the
beginning of the year, and the improve
everywhere are made entirely salts
factory to those who look for the high
est standards of conduct in every re-
lation of life for American manhood.
Without perfect honesty as a founda-
ton, we can have none of the other
manly virtues, and certainly no good
citizenship. 1t can not be doubted that
the official, political and business up
heavals of the past months have made
nightly for publication of the at
mosphere, and a general requirement
or Tar higher prObity in every man
who aims to stand well with his fell
low-men. Apparently the process has
only begun, and will go on with ac-
cumulating force, until complete purga-
ton and publication are secured.
These are the thoughts which will
add to the thankfulness in the congre-
cation and the cheer in homes where
families, relatives and friends gather in
the annual affectionate reunion To
the veteran and his family comes the
swelling pride that he helped lay the
firm foundations Of all the greatness
which the country has attained, and Of
gratitude that he was given the oppor-
tunity to do SO, and to be living today
to see the rich fruits Of the hardships
and sacrifices OF his youthful years.
God has been very good to him.