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Show Let Us Be Thankful Thanksgiving Day was observed as a matter of course, but it is doubtful that many really stopped to consider how much we who live in the year 1928 really have to be thankful for. Only by comparing our condition with that of our ancestors may we realize what our present-day civilization really means. Two or three centuries ago only the aristocrats had any material comforts to speak of. The average person toiled long hours to earn the barest necessities necessi-ties of life, with no luxuries. Few had sufficient food or clothing; disease was unchecked and suffering was unrelieved. unre-lieved. Education was denied to the great mass of the population, while the natural aspirations of mankind were stifled. During all the centuries the great majority were born to virtual enslavement enslave-ment of both body and mind, through the domination of cruel masters and rulers. Human beings were shown less consideration than beasts, and human life was held as the world's cheapest commodity. - How different today, although man's inhumanity to man still causes much needless suffering. At least we have emerged from barbarism and there is more sympathy and charity and helpfulness help-fulness in the world than ever before. The working man today has luxuries luxur-ies not dreamed of in the past. He has ample clothing, shelter and food; many have automobiles" and a radio set; he may enjoy the movies and other oth-er amusements; books, newspapers and magazines are within his reach. As a recent writer has said, "The truth is we are all of us living in luxury, lux-ury, a very grand form of luxury, as compared with conditions that existed in this country even a few decades ago." For all these blessings let us be thankful, not only on Thanksgiving Day, but every day. |