The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1910-11-24
THANKSGIVING DAY.

Today a nation, called of Proyi-
denee to a high mission in this world,
bows its head in Acknowledgement
of the goodness of God and His ON
impotence, and a solemn. though joy
Gus feast is observed, which calls to-
gether the family as no other occas-
ion of the year does, and thus per-
forms the secondary function of en-
phasizing the family unit as the basis
of society
Thanksgiving, as we observe IL,
originated In the New England col
onies, and was not dispensed with
even during the trying years of the
Revolutionary war. Those hardy
pioneers, who braved the terrors of
the Atlantic, and landed on the bleak
coast in the face of the unknown
dangers and vicissitudes of the Wild
erness, were never far from their
God. That they were directed thither
for a purpose Is beyond question;
that this country has indelibly i'm
pressed the civilization of succeed
ing years is patent to all observers;
and that as a nation and individuals
we have been greatly blessed is ac-
claimed today. It is good just TO be
born in such a country as this. True,
We make much commotion about
graft. dishonesty IN business, social
breaches and all ethical and civic
conditions; but that is only an evil
dence OF our alertness and a tendency
10 self-accusation. In reality, what
We call graft is an accepted part of
the emoluments of public office
abroad. and evils Of which we loudly
complain in their incipiency, are
carefully covered up in the more so
phisticated and cultured centers TO
the east of us. Glass distinctions
which We abhor. utterly vanish be-
fore the watchful eyes Of Europe,
where the nobility think We all be-
long to the lower classes, and the
peasantry think we all belong to the
upper class. It's a matter of wealth
and education with US. and the trans
ition from poverty and ignorance TO
wealth and education were never
more easy than they are here today.
The most dangerous element of pop
ulation We have consist of those, who
don't believe this.
While our Thanksgiving festival
dates from the New England custom,
ffc form ma purpoco aro - ,,,oro -,
cient origin. It was a practically or
dained festival of the Jews. who an
nually thanked God for abundant
harvests and their many blessings.
The Harvest Home festival is custom
In many lands, perhaps. the New
England feast being suggested by
the Holland Harvest Home.
A holiday calls a man to the field
and woods, to the paddock and ball
ground; but on this day let us give
our country just a moment OF our
thought II never needed them
more. What kind OF a citizen are
you? Are you a good example in
your home life. social environments. |
business relations and political ac
tivities? Are your neighborhood |
city, state and nation better for your
having lived in them? II Is a shame
full thing II you have Just been hv-
ing like a grub. because you were
born, enjoying what your forefathers
spent their blood for and endured
untold hardships for, without per-
forming the easy task OF being a
good citizen. We don't mean the
negative virtue OF refraining from
doing anything positively wicked
We prefer the society of burglar to
yours. II you do no wrong simply be-
cause you don't do anything at all.
shame on you. II you take a day
on today, and I'LL your paunch with
The fat Of the land, having done
n