The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-25
BE THANKFUL

Those who see in this holiday only an especially
appetizing meal, a chance for play. athletic
event of some sort, can hardly claim kinship with
that spirit Of the founders of this day which finally
gave independence and sefgovernment.
Thanksgiving day is, in sense, even more
American in its tradition and its significance than
that day in July remembered for the courage Of
men who put their lives in the balance against the
theory that any man is fit to rule another without
his consent.
In the bleak rocks of New England the day had
it's birth sacred day. of true thankfulness to
the divinity they worshiped, for their conquerng of
great obstacles.
They had fed from land Of prosecutions
land without opportunity. A land Of oppression Of
those who dared to think and believe and follow die
tates of conscience.
These were men and women of undaunted cour-
age. They had penetrated unknown wilderness.
They had faced unknown dangers They had met
with hunger and famine They had suffered-but they
did not yield.
And so, when their first year of sacrifice had
ended and they could look into the bleak cold of
other winter knowing that they would not starve,
they set aside day to give thanks to that source
which had inspired them and upheld them.
1t requires belief in Christianity to admire
their forttude or their qualities. They had dared
all and rsked all for the right to be and women,
without the let or h1ndrance or others.
How much Of that spirit do you have in your
heart on this day of plenty and prosperity?
How much does the right to think your
thoughts, worship your God, follow your own
conscience mean to you this day of feasting?
This country has long since passed the danger of
hunger.
Modern science and invention, the development
of transportation, the conquerng of nature, almost
completely have taken from the minds of any
fear that starvation privation can come
1t is rather difficult to be thankful for escape
from fears or dangers we have never known.
But there is still necessity for thankfulness, If
there any worth in those rights for which these
Pilgrims sacrificed much.
= Be thankful today that this land guarantees to
you religious liberty
Be thankful that in order to gain it you are
not driven to strange lands, to terrible sacrifices
Be thankful that you, this day, hold in
your SOUL that broad spirit of tolerance which grants
to all others this right which is yours and which
SO dear On the day this holiday was established.
Be thankful, too, that you have firmly estab-
lished the right to rule yourself and to bow to
other who claims divine heritage of kingship.
Be thankful, if you can, that you exercise this
right and be more thankful that you have, if you
WISH the opportunity to protect that right by fighting
ever and always, those who would steal it away by
stealth and trickery.
Be thankful, too, that you live in the most
glorious age of all history when through these rights
and through the rising tide of knowledge and of
thought, civilization is being lifted to the shores of
real freedom.
For real freedom comes only when men are able
to lose their fears, their supersttions their
of poverty, the necessity for hardship
That era is approaching fast, as times and man
ners change and the old battle with nature is being
won.
The environment of the most modern cottage of
today is more comfortable than that of any emperor
two centuries ago. Men have become masters through
thought They no longer slaves to brutal instinct
or bodily necessities. The jungle land Is going.
Be thankful that you live in this age-and that
you can help, if you wish to make it even more
glorious.