New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-26
THANKSGIVING DAY.

The complaint which is often made, that
Thanksgiving Day has lost its original character
and purport, does not appear to us to De well
founded, certainly not to have sufficient foun-
dalton 70 warrant dISconttnuance or dlmlnutlon
of interest IN this yearly observance Originally
especially In New England-and the whole Cd
servance pertains to New England more than to
the rest of the country-the chief functions or
the day were pre-eminentIy religious, and In
deed ecclesiastical and the day Itself partook
largely of the austere habitude Of the Puritan
Sabbath. That in such respects there has been
a marked change in the day is not, OF course 10
he denied; but there has been at least an equal
change in the whole temper and practice OF the
people, so that Thanksgiving Day, with all It's
theatrical athletic and other diversions, is fully
as congruous with the present state OF society,
and indeed. OF the churches themselves, as 1t
was with the prevailing status Of generations
ago.
We are not inclined moreover to concede that
either Thanksgiving Day itself in particular, or
the whole social spirit, in general, has become as
irreligious or as nun-religious as from super
fetal view might be supposed There is probably
as much religious faith in the country to-day as
there was In the time of our grandparents,
though II does not manifest its presence in pre-
cIsev the same manner There has certainly
been a gratifying increase In the number and
which living and efficient faith naturally makes
itself apparent If there is less austerity, there
is far more charity. II there is less profession,
there is more practice. It may be that not SO
la rye a proportion Of the population as formerly
now listens to formal Thanksgiving Day ser
mons and that the sermons which are de-
livered are not nearly so long as they were, but
we are confident that in public and in private
there is as widespread and as true spirit of
thanksgiving as there ever was IN our history,
and there is especially a steadily increasing dis
position to make thanksgiving objective as well
as subjective; 10 give to our neighbors cause for
THANKSGIVING as well as, and indeed more than,
TO dwell selfishly upon our own reasons for per
sonal gratitude
This latter disposition Is not without It's ex-
cellent uses It is q good thing for the indi-
vidual, the community and the nation, not only
on one day. but often as possible, 70 take an
appreciative rather than a depreciative view of
things and to cultivate optimism and gratitude
rather than pessimism and repining. 1t is one
of the unfortunate traits OF too many men, if not
of all men, that they notice and dwell upon and
magnify their ills, while they overlook their
blessings or regard them a matter Of course
They reckon every misfortune which befalls
them as undeserved and excessive without ever
stopping to consider that their good fortune may
be to even greater extent beyond their deserts.
AS day on which to strike d more dscrimf-
mating balance between good and evil in this re-
spect Thanksgiving Day serves q most useful
purpose. Beyond that, it IS well to have at
least one day. Of universal observance on which
the attention of thoughtful people is largely
given 70 increasing. by their own transformations
deeds of good will, causes for thankfulness in
the lives of those of their neighbors who may
generally be less fortunate and have fewer
things for which to be grateful than themselves.
The occasion is one which would not let pass
from the calendar, and one which trust will
this year be observed, as it should be- more gen.
orally, more heartily and more effectively than
ever before.