Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1917-11-28
THANKSGIVING.


viii cease its toiling and spinning. its
working and grinding for a day. to
return thanks to God for blessings
youchsafed during the past year.
Since last Thanksgiving Day we've
gone a long way. The pace has been
swift. the competition keen. the bat
tie strong, the preparation for war
vast and mighty, and today, instead Of
the peaceful people we are wont TO
be, we are at war, with our Allies,
against a mighty nation in battle for
democracy, for righteousness.
What the future has in store for
us we know not. In the past pros
perity has been our watchword To-
day many Of US are without what we
have learned to consider the necessi-
lies of life, fuel TO keep us warm,
sugar in our coffee and tea. These
are luxuries today, and are being
boarded, probably by those who would
make gain out OF suffering and call
IL war conditions"
However there is another side, a
brighter side TO the picture. There IS
work for everybody who will work,
and a good wage for the working
Never were salaries higher and wages
better than they are today Vast en-
tcrprises are being undertaken de-
spite of war Great camps and can
comments are building that require
hundreds and thousands of the coun-
trys artisans. Opportunity seems to
open its doors wider and wider
While here in our America Is the FL
Dorado Of the dreams of long ago, yet
we, too are the one and only nation
in all the world which sets apart a
day dedicated TO the giving of thanks
the Almighty for His blessings,
Ills mercy, His loving kindness, even
in the midst OF the war of nations, of
which we are one
We Americans realize now, as never
before. the privileges which are ours
by right Of birthright-freedom of
thought, of speech. Of religion. Our
nation is sending forth the brightest
and best of her sons, who have offer
ed themselves to this love of freedom
of thought. speech and religion which
we espouse God will bless them and
us in such a righteous cause.
During the past year the heart OF
America has been pulsating with hui
man kindness for those of other ma
lions whose homes have been laid
waste, whose lands have been devast-
ed by this scavenger, War. and while
eagerly pursuing our own way before
we were involved in the struggle, we
found time to put aside personal con-
sideration and feed hungry Belgium
and starving Armenia.
Characteristic. indeed, of his ma
tive land Is the spirit of the big Cali
fornian who went to Europe when
Belgium was torn up by the roots and
volunteered his services for so long
as they should be required in the
gigantic task of providing the neces-
stiles of life to the brave sufferers of
that unhappy country. Whatever
romance there was to the undertaking
wore OFF long ago. but he stuck to that
task and America knows that he will
stick TO ours until it is completed, for
il is he who today is at the head OF
our Food Conservation. and stands be-
tween us and graft.
That is the stuff America is made
Of That is why she towers above all
other nations today supreme, not only
in wealth and material prosperity.
but in the finer qualities of breadth
OF sympathy and generosity The
giver goes with his gift when the Of
fering emanates from the United
States. answering from this spirit,
America viii go forward in years TO
come, ever helping the weak, ever an
example to the strong We are, in
deed, thankful,
Thanksgiving Day is an unusual
one, separate and distinct from all
other holidays in our country. II was
wholly religious institution, and it
should be now. instead of being large
~ given up to sports of various kinds,
more especially to horse racing and
football
When the day had its inception il
was dedicated to the worship of
God in praises and thanksgiving for
the blessings of the year.
Surely our people have cause for
thankfulness even though the nations
are rent with war, this war. thanks
to England and France. has been kept
away from our door.
No sound of cannon, roar of mus
kerry or shrieks of the wounded and
dying have come to our ears. Bounti-
ful harvests. the hum Of busy machin-
cry and the employment of all who
would or could work have filled our
land With plenty. No terror by night
nor destruction that wasteth at noon
day" have visited our shores and al