Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 November 1918 — DAY’S NEW MEANING [ARTICLE]

DAY’S NEW MEANING

This Year Rational Rejoicmg Is Alloyed With Thought of. Glad Sacrifice. Th a very great number? of us, especially the fathers- and. mothers and wives of the United States, Thursday will be one of the most realistic Thanksgivings we have-ever-spent. At last, after many yearsin which this national hoHday was nothing more than that —merely, ini feeti an occasion for feasting; and gathering- and pleasure-seeking—this distinctly American day is to mean something very real and intimate, to us all. Just what message and benefit it brings to us will depend largely, if not wholly, upon ourselves. And the character of our appreciation of the blessings that have come to us will measure the depth of our patriotism and. love of country. We are not of those who believe the whole Sacrifice belongs;to the man who has gone away to fight.. As much —in some cases even m*re—-bravery and courage and devotion;to duty and to country have been necessary on the part of those who- remained behind. And we are certain that those who step at home will;, on this coming Thanksgiving, realise mor*- completely than they have heretofore; that the eall Fate has made upon American manhood and womanhood is indeed an opportunity for- service, not merely a disagreeable duty to be shirked if possible. For only if the men In the ranks, and equally the men and women at horn* who support and encourage them, enter this war in such a spirit of glad,, eager sacrifice will it ever bring us more than disappoint-, ment and regret and terrible loss. So let Thursday be a day of gjfid> ness, not of sorrow. Let your if tears there be as you sit beside the empty chairs, be evidences that your heart rejoices in the realization that your son or husband or brother or friend was brave enough and willing enough, yes, eager enough, tn risk all that selfish men hold dear and desirable that his country might win honor and security through his blood.