The national Republican., 1867-11-28
THANKSGIVING.

To-day is the National Thanksgiving; we say
National, because the President OF the United
States-God bless him-has appointed this day,
and the Governors OF the States have very gen.
orally recognized this day fhe festival so long
regarded in New England as an institution.
1t may not be untimely that we should dwell
with some deh hniteness, on this occasion, upon the
origin and Introduction of this festival. Whence
and wherefore did II arise and how came II to pass
that our Puritan ancestors gave to the country
this day yofthanksgiving, OF Joy and rejoicing. As
Thanksgiving is now national institution, II
may not be amiss for us to give brief statement
In respect to Its origin.
The question Is when and by whom was this
festival instituted We will state that in l023,
almost two and half centuries ago, WISsLow,
of Massachusetts,, writing to England, mentions
that latter the gathering of the harvest, Gov.
BRADFORD sent out a company for game, that
they might furnish themselves with more dainty
and abundant materials for feast, and rejoice
together after they had gathered the fruits Of
their labors. So they got their game, and they
cooked It, and they ate of II, and they feasted
MAssAsoIT and ninety OF his Indians, and they
thanked God with all their hearts for the good
world and the good things in II. So they kept
their first Thanksgiving" Governor BRADroRD
said, I" nor has there been any general want of
food among us since, to this day." from le2a to
lGI6.)
1t was thus that this New England festival
sprung up, and IL has been so generally observed
that In the New England States II is recognized
and very generally regarded From New Eng
land II seems now to have spread over the coun-
tryj and the President, by his proclamation, has
made 1t a National Festival.
Since this New England Institution has over
leaped its boundaries, and become q National
Holiday, 1t may be well for us to make some few
remarks in respect to the most proper way Of
observing 1t. Its origin may have been acei-
dental but since 1t is everywhere recognized,
lew words In regard to the proper manner OF Its
observance will not be out Of place.
In New England, then, II Is the occasion OF re-
union. Separated families come together; and
around the parental hearthstone and in the "old
homestead" gather the children and the grand
children, so that three generations meet and sit
down to the much-coveted dish OF roast turkey,
ducks, chickens, pumpkin pie, and plumb pud.
ding Railroads, stage coaches, steamboats,, ali
sorts OF vehicles, are brought into requisition
and everybody is on the tramp for home, SO that
under the old rooftree, gathered in one compact
circle, thanks may go up to the Father Of all
mcrcies for His abundant blessings which He has
vouchsaied to all during the year. Pleasant
memories OF childhood are clustered around
and cherished this November time, and by a
kind OF magic the past Is brought into connec-
tion and harmony with the present. And the
vacant chairs are there, and the loved and lost
who have gone before to the land of shades and
darkness arc remembered and thought Of in sad
ness, yet in hope.
The Governor issues his proclamation, and 4
is read from the pulpit in all the churches tn,
Sabbath before the Thursday on which the festi
val occurs. All this is expected and listened I,
with attentive ears. II abounds In expression
like these how the 'year has been crowned will
goodness" "how peace Is in all our borders, an,
plentcousness in our palaces" how the cloud
drop fatness, and how servile labor and yai
recreation are by law forbidden" Such are som
of the stately utterances of our New Engan,
Chief Magistrates, or such were their saying
in Olden times.
For whole week previous TO this festival ex
tcnsive preparations are going forward, and goot
housewives may be set down as Grerorshipper
Ovens are heated, and all sorts Of preparation
are going forward, the house is put into perfec
order for John and Isaac, and Mary and Betse,
with their little ones are coming home to spent
Thanksgiving.
Time would fail US to tell OF the many pleasin
and entertaining memories of this glad day, as
Is observed in real old fashioned New Englan
styles and now, since It has become a Nations
festival, let its characteristics be retained, an
let its grand old solemnities and its sacred an
festive characteristics make the occasion Of II
observance everywhere.