Evening star., 1950-11-23
Thanksgiving, 1850

Millions of people must be conscious of the
fact that Thanksgiving this year is being cele-
brated on razor edge of potential disaster
Forces obviously are abroad in the world which
threaten the survival of civilization. Before
announcer twelve months have passed the whole
OF the human race may be involved in catas-
trophe. That is what sensitive men and women
1eel and regretfully fear. President Truman
is in earnest when he asks his countrymen Gin
church, chapel and synagogue, in their homes
and IN the busy walks of life, every day and
everywhere to pray for peace"
True, Americans have much to be thankful
Tor IN this autumn of 1850. "The bounties of
our soil, the unequaled production of our mines
ana factories, and all the vast resources
OF our beloved country" are things to be grateful
Tor. We likewise appreciate "the enjoyment of
our personal liberties" and "the loyalty of our
fellow-Americans" Also we "offer fervent
thanks that we are privileged to join with other
countries IN the work of the United Nations
which was founded to maintain peace :. and
is now standing firm in upholdng the principles
Of international justice" Our sons and brothers
In Korea, If not we civilians at home, are facing
and fully meeting the moral challenge OF these
bitter times and we are proud of them and
respectful OF their service and their sacrifice.
But our hearts are not easy. The average
citizen on Thanksgiving this year is troubled
by the trouble he sees everywhere about him.
Life as he remembers 1t In the happier past
seems to be disintegrating. A disturbing in
security shadows every activity, every proceed
Ing. The very ground under our feet appears
shaken. A strange fatalism aff1icts great num-
bers of people. Mr.. Truman is not alone when
he appeals to the God of our fathers for 'that
peace which the world cannot give" A vast
majority of the Nations population has been
educated to understand that nothing this side
OF heaven is powerful enough effective enough.
to solve the tremendous problems by which
humanity is afflicted under the blight of rampant
'materialisn. 90
Such tardy knowledge, however, is not new
In human experience. 1t has come from other
crises in other dark days For instance Abraham
Lincoln in the midst of the War Between the
States issued a proclamation, saying: "I invite
the people of the United States to assemble =. t. =.
In their customary places of worship and in the
forms approved by their own consciences render
the homage due to the Divine Majesty for the
wonderful things He has done in the Nations
behalf :. to guide the counsels of the
Government with wisdom adequate to so great a
national emergency and to visit with tender
care and consolation throughout the length and
breadth of our land all those who . have
been brought to suffer in mind body or estate,
and finally to lead the whole Nation through
the paths of repentance and submission to the
Divine will back to the perfect enjoyment of
union and fraternal peace"
These words, with slight concession to
history, are worth reading again now. Let us
be thankful for the instinct which in our present
ordeal turns our thoughts toward the Source Of
all that mankind knows of contentment and
happiness.