The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1920-11-24
THANKSGIVING DAY

Down the years in an uubroken
chain, the links of which now num-
Der close 90 500, civilization in the
new world has been handed a torch
which tomorrow we light anew. IL we
but catch q portion OF a spirit which
animated the New England eolonists
then the day OF Thanksgiving that
they originated will remain a day TO
be observed with reverent regard for
century upon century to come.
Thankfulness Is not always the Off
spring Of virtue. Often the seed that
brings II to fullest flower In our
hearts Is the vicious seed OF selfish
ness. We are thankful because for
tune has dealt more bountifully with
rs than with our neighbor. or per-
haps because tragedy or tribulation
that has settled upon our neighbor's
hegrthstone has passed US by.
True thankfuiness does not, either
willfuily or thoushtlessly, take pride
In ones elevation above another.
Rather Il Ia a feeling OF gratitude for
the strength that enables one 10 reach
down from an advanced position a
helping hand to the brother strug-
Cling upward.
The first Thanksgiving was a feast.
meager perhaps in comparison 10 the
repasts that will grace the tables OF
klamath county tomorrow. but, In
comparison 10 the prior months OF
famine and hardship, a great feast
10 the participants.
In the new made cemetery at Ply
mouth had been laid away many a
loved parent. son, sister. wife and
friend. Between the survivors and the
land of their birth rolled the Nigh
~ Atlantic. From the shores OF the
ocean westward stretched an un-
eharted forest. holding none knew
what hostile terrors. But betwixt
the sea and the woods they had made
q clearing. cultivated a few acres OF
ground. reared some houses and the
new land had smiled and in a meas
ure blessed them.
So when the crops were gathered
from the new titled acres they feast
ed and thanked God. Doubtless they
had known better feasts In England.
as food measures feasting. but there
they ate by the grace OF James.
king OF England. in mental chains.
Here they ate by Gods good grace.
freemen in body and in mind.
Not as a feast OF the Epicureans.
tempting jaded appetites with fine
food. was the first Thanksgiving
kept. but as an observance OF hospi-
tally between neighbors--a sharing
OF the best that each possessed. the
breaking OF bread az a table at which
all sat as equals.
They knew. these sturdy men and
women. that their hardships were
not over. that their biggest tasks
doubtless were before them. and
they broke the food God had given
them TO fortify their bodies against
new needs OF the spirit and thanked
Him.
The civilization OF which the Pil.
grims were the forerunners has
spread over a continent. Each era OF
development has brought new prob
lens. but guided by an oyerwhelm-
ing love OF liberty and desire TO keep
its blessings, each decision hiss been
squarely met. at stern cost some
times.
On the path OF liberty appear such
milestones as Valley Forge, New Or
leans. Chapultepec. Gettysburg, FL
caney and ATgonne, but the path is
still open. thanks 10 the blood OF
those who spread the first Thanks
giving feast and OF their GOd-fearing
liberty-loying breed in every hour OF
need since.
Let uS tomorrow thank God for
America. for American ideals and
American liberty and the heritage OF
courage that has never failed TO raj
ly 10 freedom in danger. For so long
as we have liberty, though minor
evils may at times vsx us they are
but passing shadows, comparatively
easy Of recification.