Show 7 t 7 1 I Editorials OWE GaVE A SPECIAL THANKS The following editorial was written by J. J Edgar Hoover and appeared in the November 1964 issue of the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Three hundred three forty-three years ago a small number of grateful Pilgrims assembled in prayerful tribute to God for foran foran foran an abundant first harvest That occasion marked the launching of a meaningful custom which has become one of our Nations Nation's most cherished holidays Thanksgiving Day In 1621 the Pilgrim Fathers were bound by spiritual unity and love of and faith in the Supreme Being Their special observance of thanks was a testimonial to their belief that God in His omnipotent wisdom looked with favor on them their quest for a land where freedoms freedom's blessings flow In this humble and devout setting the true meaning of Thanksgiving was born Today America Is free and strong a monument to the hopes and ideals of f the Pilgrims It stands as the greatest fortress of brotherhood in the history of man Conceived under God our country represents a people whose progress has been blessed with divine divin guidance and whose history is rich with evidence of His power and glory We have emerged triumphant from devastating world wars Our scientific achievements the imagination Our standard of living surpasses all expectations Truly the goodness and mercy of God have hav been with us Regrettably too many Americans no longer care about religious rEt re- ideals and heritage To some our country is a fantasy fantasy- land filled with complimentary handouts of rights and freedoms freedoms freedoms free free- doms without obligations With patent indifference they shirk the mere suggestion of individual responsibility Their purpose in life is lost in moral lethargy self indulgence and neglect of duty Time and experience have proved our Constitution to be bethe bethe bethe the greatest document for freedom ever drawn by man This instrument of self government is a reality envisioned by our Founding Fathers who were dedicated to the ideal that man is superior to the State It embodies the fundamental principle of liberty which is dearer than life the precept that men shall live as equals under government by law not by men Law and order are pillars of democracy on which our safety and welfare rest Without law and order our society would falter and be destroyed Law enforcement as the main mainline mainline mainline line of resistance against all enemies of our heritage may indeed indeed in in- deed be proud of its contributions to the growth of a Nation founded on mutual trust understanding and faith in God On this Thanksgiving we should lift our hearts in humble thanks for this special privilege and pledge to uphold our noble cause to promote tolerance to preserve the rule of law and to protect and strengthen our God-given God ideals and faith in freedom We Americans must never lose sight of the fact that our power wealth and happiness come directly or indirectly from our belief in God Let us commemorate Thanksgiving by Ire refurbishing re- re furbishing our religious ideals And as we meet the forces throughout the world which seek to destroy our way of life letus let letus letus us find strength in the Biblical quotation If God be for us who can be against us I |