The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-27
Our National Thanksgiving.

anniversary which is peculiar to the American
people. 1t dates back to the advent of the
Pilgrim Fathers upon the soil of New England,
and had its origin in their antpathy to the
Christmas holidays, which they regarded as
an invention of Papal Rome, without any
foundation or warrant in Holy Writ. Still,
these stern, uncompromising religionists
deemed it proper and becoming that a certain
day should be set apart as an occasion for rem
dering special thanks to the Almighty for the
Infailing mercies and blessings which had
rowned the year. Thanksgiving Day in this
Vay became an established institution Of the
Kew England creed, and by their descendants
was transplanted in every Northern State.
At the outset, the festival was strictly reli-
gious one, and as matter of course was OBJ
served by our Puritan fOrefathers with the
austerity and self-denial by which they were
so eminently characterized. But the spirit of
Cheerfulness, in the course of time, made an
inroad upon the long faces Of that early period,
and Thanksgiving-Day was gradually moulded
into its present aspect of earnest devotion
Commingled with hearty enjoyment. In each
of the New England States, and in the greater
number of the Central and Northern States,
The day has in this manner been regularly OBJ
served, usually by proclamation and request
of the respective Governors, although in some
of the New England States its institution has
been formally provided for by statute
With the outbreak of the Rebellion came
the universal obvervance of the day through
out the length and breadth of the land, by
virtue of the proclamation of the President of
The United States. But even this National
Thanksgiving dates back to the Revolutionary
period, the first occasion of the kind on record
being the 18th of December, 1777, which was
set apart by the Continental Congress as "a
day for thanksgiving for the signal success
lately obtained over the enemies of these
United States" On several occasions there
after, Congress interposed in similar way,
and February 10, 1875, was set apart by Pre-
sident Washington, in honor of the suppress
sion of the Whisky Rebellion in the western
part of this State. With the exception Of a
National Thanksgiving, in pursuance of Pre-
Rident Madison's proclamation, Immediately
after the CLOSE of the last war with Great Bri-
Iain, the custom fell into desuetude, until it
was revived by Mr.. Lincoln, who decreed on
the 10th of April, 1862, that the Sunday fol-
lowing the receipt Of his proclamation should
be characterized by return Of thanks for the
Eictaries OF MIL Spring, Fort Donelson, Pitts
burg Landing, and Pea Ridge-the first sub
.afantal fruits Of the struggle for national in
tegrity. Since that day we have frequently
been called upon by the national Executive to
observe the day, and the great civic Sabbath
may now be regarded as an established insti-
&c kI,a for a1lt a.
The proclamation of Governor Geary, bear
ing the date of October 81, is so eloquent that
we give place to the material portion of it, as
fOllows:--
"Aided by the dictates Of cultivated reason
and the teachings OF Divine Revelation, we are
taught TO recognize In the Supreme Ruler a
Heavenly Father. to whom we are indebted for
TO whom we owe constant and fervant thanks.
giving and praise IL is He who 'yislteth the
rows and blesseth the springs thereof who
'crowneth the year with His goodness, and
whose paths drop tatness;' who 'clothest the
pastures with hocks and covereth the valleys
with cOrn;' who 'maketh the outgoings of the
our refuge and strength;' VINO 'msketh wars TO
cease,' and 'saVeth us from our enemies;'
whose throne Is forever and eVer;' aud who
Iblesseth the nations whose God is the Lord
ION all sides W, have incre .sed assurances OF
Inc loving kind ess' OF an all-wise Parent OF
Good, who mas conducted our nation through a
long and terrible war, and permitted our
Ptope 10 expose once more in safety,
,,WIhout any to molest them or 20 make
Snem anatd Tue nonstrous sentiment
~ uisunlon is no longer tolerated The
nhgt me Union, and the Constitution, are
SSIeetou Ssttn Ss the safeguards of the rights and
I . ~ sne people, ana are reVered aud de-
AenueH u ,, as t1e T ARK OF their political safety
n Blu hinu ItoVloence has not grown weary of
supPlying ouI continuous wants: a bounteous
bandman; hocks and herds are So 20 tdrd tno a nus t
countless numbers over our yaiays os5 ~
commerce Is unint terrupted and yeasaIs ,t aiils'
with the products of nature and az as, iauen ,
unmoleSted over the trackess deen IN NJ itt sPSeu
pestilence, famine, political or social SSuH aSi
financial embarrassTnents, or commerciai as siis'
Lresses, have been permitted to stav tha ' uhs
gIess and happiness of the people of this gPrao1
Commonwealth; but peace, health, edueaiion
morality, religion social improvement an
refinement with their attendant blessI n os
have filled the cup Of comfort and enjoyment
10 overlooking.
'iRecOgniZing our responsibility TO Him Wht
Don trolls the desiinies of nations, as we'll as o
individuals, aud from whom eometh dowr
every good and perfect gft,' and to whom W,
are deeply indebted for ali these and the richie
blessings OF our common Christianity, let u
unitedly give our most devout gratitude ant
hearty thanksgiving. /, therefore, DO hereb.
recommend that Thursday, the 2Sth day OF NO
Vember mex be set apart as day CT praise an
THANKSGIVING; that ali secular and worldly busl
ness be suspended, and the people assemble II
n cir various places OF worship TO acknowiedg
their gratitude and offer mp prayers for con
tnuance OF Divine favor"