Evening star., 1940-11-21
Thonksgivinq.

At chance thought it would seem
that there is little in the world today
for which mankind should be CRATE
full. But mature consideration shows
that even the worst of evils may serve
purpose in the divine scheme of
life. 1t follows that people every
where should be thankful for the
correction which eventually will give
them the better conditions for which
they long
1t is no accident that millions of
men and women everywhere through
out the earth love peace as it never
has been loved before. They have
been educated to comprehend, to fear
and to dread the adventurous judg-
ment OF battle. Twice in the expert
enCe of a single generation has it
happened that strong nations have
overwhelmed their weaker neighbors
in shameful violation Of the basic
laws Of civilization. In each instance
the democratic conception of or
ganized society has been the victim
of militant tyranny. Yet as the
aggresSors were defeated in the first
contest there is cause to believe that
the present combination of totali-
tartan empires may be overcome at
the close of the second conflict.
Meanwhile, humanity has learned
much about poverty and crime and
something of ways and means for
their cure. The economic diSlocation
which enSued from the war of 1914
1918 brought suffering to multitudes
for whom, because of interference
with the natural development of
trade, there was no opportunity for
useful labor Thousands starved
while other thousands toiled to pro-
duce commodity surpluses which
could be distributed only at loss to
all concerned.
Inevitably, the physical and mental
weIl-being of the masses was affected
by the ordeal through which they
were passing. EpidemicS became so
customary a phenomenon as to be
taken for granted. The psychological
plaques Of class hatred which have
been characteristic Of the four most
recent decades still disturb the rela-
tions Of individuals and groups. A
certain contempt for the ordinary
processes Of progress is further
symptom Of the disordered intelll-
gence of the age. Even the popular
leaders of countries still exempt from
dictatorship have demonstrated their
impatience with traditional proce-
dures and have demanded new and
frankly experimental techniqueS of
government in the interest of in
creased speed and theoretical eff
cheney unfortunately not invariably
pragmatic. A morbid skepticiSm has
been the reaction of one portion of
the public. a too hopeful optimism
that Of another.
But mankind is not fated for COM
plete disaster The agony of series
Of social catastrophes has taught
humanity to appreciate a normal
share of happiness as no earlier force
in history ever did Peace has a
motive in innumerable hearts today.
Where formerly only small minority
actively strove for harmony among
different branches of the universal
family, thousands of earnest students
of contemporary problems now are
laboring for fellowship. So, too, a
national unity is being achieved in
the United States where formerly it
was claimed that solidarity was
neither needed nor practically pos
slble. Commensurately there has
been a revival Of enthusiasm for the
philosophy of democracy and the
religion of brotherhood
In recognition of these constructive
changes and especially of manifest
desire among Americans in general
for the achievement of the highest
humane ideals. God should be
thanked. He has been generous to
us beyond our dessert. The more
reason is there, then, for valiant
endeavor to merit His charity in time
yet to dawn.