This has been a difficult year for us individually and as a people. A new virus has brought illness and death into too many families and communities. Our rural economy has struggled and the pandemic has caused even more economic hardship, particularly for retail and small business. Social restrictions and cultural strife have taxed individual and collective mental health. And yet, we are not without reasons to be thankful.
On October 3, 1789, President George Washington signed the first of many presidential Thanksgiving proclamations. Our new nation was struggling with the growing pains of independence and building a republican democracy out of a diverse collection of states and peoples. President Washington wrote that “it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and to humble implore His protection and favor.”
Fast forward to October 3, 1863. President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation of Thanksgiving that was hopefully even amidst the uncertainty and strife of a bloody civil war. He wrote of a nation blessed with bountiful resources, given great blessings by a God who continued to show mercy to the people despite their sins. He wrote that the people should be thankful for these blessings and work towards a future day of peace and tranquility by “solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledge[ing]” those blessings with “one heart and one voice by the whole American people.”
On October 22, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt penned a remarkable Thanksgiving proclamation. 20th century America was on the forefront of industrial and technological revolutions and it was experiencing unprecedented material prosperity. President Roosevelt knew that this economic success alone was insufficient to make a nation happy. He wrote that the material wellbeing could be the foundation for national greatness and happiness, but it could not itself be the source of greatness and happiness. He observed that such a life would be “meaningless and empty as a house where only the foundation has been laid.” Instead, material well-being must be the foundation on which a nation builds a “superstructure of individual and national life lived in accordance with the laws of the highest morality, or else our prosperity will in the long run turn out a curse instead of a blessing.” President Roosevelt called on Americans to be thankful and pray that they use “these gifts aright” as a “means of grace and not of destruction.”
Despite the difficulties of this year, I see blessings throughout our land and, like President Lincoln, I remain hopeful. Great challenges still exist in our quest to create a more perfect Union and they will continue to exist as long as we are a nation of flawed humans. To that point, I think of the sentiment of President Roosevelt. Today, we live in the most prosperous time in world history. Seeking prosperity for prosperity’s sake is a sad state, but it is a high calling to build an ever-more prosperous society as a foundation for the true success and happiness in each of our lives.
“Thanksgiving” is not about the size of your family gathering, the extravagance of your meal, or even the Dallas Cowboys game. It is about giving thanks for our blessings. This week, I encourage each of us to remember the words of Washington—it is our duty to acknowledge the providence of Almighty, obey His will, be grateful for our blessings, and implore His protection and favor. Let us do that solemnly and reverently, with one heart and one voice, like Lincoln. Let us be thankful for our blessings and let us work hard to build that more perfect union, so that we may build a truly prosperous, happy society here in Stamford and in every community—rural, suburban, and urban—in America.
James Decker is the Mayor of Stamford, Texas and the creator of the “West of 98” website and forthcoming podcast. Contact James and subscribe to these essays at westof98.substack.com.
Mr. Decker, I enjoy your writings. I subscribe to 5 different newspapers, several magazines, and I likely spend far too much on printed news. 'Essays From West of 98' tends to grab my attention with each Stamford Star issue. Thanks for sharing; this "Thanksgiving Message" was particularly insightful. D Fischer