The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-11-27
WEDNESDAY, NOV. q. 1907.
CAUSE FOR THANKSGIVING.

why we Ougnt 10 De IN ankIuI, ls
the title of an article contributed to
the Circle magazine by William Jen-
niugs Bryan, in which American citi-
zens are reminded OF many reasons
for gratitude. Mr.. Bryan says
thanksgiving is of little value if our
expressions of gratitude have no effect
upon our own conduct, his article be.
ing in part to this effect:
If we regard citizenship as a price
less inheritance, WI should resolve to
transmit it, not only unimpajred but
improved, to the next generation: if
u educational system has been q
boon to US, 1t should be extended and
amplihed for the benefit of posterity;
il the Of u country have a
value beyond computation, itlbehooves
Us to see TO it that these are
lot s%quandered, and that the bounties
which the Creator intended for all
shall not be monopolized by the cum
ming, the craft, and the avarice of a
few: IT our government gives to life,
liberty. and prosperity greater pro-
lection than any other government
grants, we cannot excuse ourselves If
we fail to preserve it. in all its purity,
for our children and our children's
children: If in our religion we find q
consolation, aIlife.plan, and q moral
uplift, we cannot but earnestly desire
and embody .the desire in deeds
that these shall be shared by those
about US and by those also who,
though separated from US by seas,
are bound to US by that primal tie
that links each human being to every
other.
1t is a cause fors!thanksgiving that
We have so long enjoyed here the
blessings of free government for which
many are stillscontending with heroic
effort and immense sacrifice, and with
free speech, a free press, and freedom
OF conscience, we are in a position to
maintain the liberties which have come
down to us from the fathers.
The dual character of our govern.
menth has played an important part in
its pe%rpetuity-a more important part
than many suppose. Capitalization
is he greatest foe that popular gov
eminent has to encounter, for it is
supported by arguments that are
plausible. "Can you not trust the
people of the nation?'' asks the friend
OF Capitalization. Are they not the
same individuals who make the laws
in he variOns states?' Yes: but the
government is best when it is nearest
the people, and the people can act
most intelligently upon the questions
about which they are best informed.
The people, through the trainers of
our constitution, wisely delegated to
the federal government the powers
necessary for the conduct OF national
an airs and, as wisely, reserved to the
states and to themselves the right to
control the aft airs Of the state and the
community.
We a never be sufficiently thank.
1ul for the wisdomimanifested by those
who launched our nation upon it's
splendid career and laid the founda.
ton Tor the success We have enjoyed.
The governmental structure they
framed will never be outgrown, for it
is as we'll adaptedlto aination OF three
hundred millions %ofspeople as it was
to a nation OF threelmillions-,he gen.
eral government welding the nation
together in oneI harmonious whole,
n the state and local governments
guarding the home, the school, the
property, the liberty, and the life of
the citizen.