Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-11-18
THANKSGIVING.
origin of the Day in Ameriea--rss
OhscrVnncr. etc.

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Observance, etc.
In accordance with time-honored Gus
tom, to-day has been set apart by our Chief |
Magistrate as one of Thanksgiving to The
Supreme Ruler of the universe, for the I'M
blessings He has so bounteously
upon us. All nations have had
their memorable days; days of festiyity and
rejoicing. Rome long after her invincible
eagles had been carried across the world,
and her gods had been reared on high
Olympus, gathered her people in the seven
hilled city once year in honor Of its foun-
dalton. The mountain Swiss come down
into the valleys and have annual merry
markings yet in honor of William Tell. The
heroic Scots for long years reloiced from
the Firth to the Clyde, and made old Ken
nilworth Castle resound with wild acclaim
in praise of the deeds of Wallace. England,
and France, and Spain, have their
festivities and their rejoicing days.
And this is we'll But the American An
nual Thanksgiving Day is one of deep sig
sifcance and replete with many memories.
Back through the long dim vista of the
past, the thoughts of all viii 60 to-day and
linger among the pleasant valleys where
rest like sweet dews of morning the
gentlest recoliections of our early lives,
when in Young years every day seemed one
Of Thanksgiving. Then in the rosy morn
ing of life, everything seemed true and
beautiful, and we peopled the future all
with halcyon delights. The return OF
Thanksgiving, though mellowed into
little more sombreness with us now, has
vet for us its enjoyments and its pleasant
RES. 1t is day for prayers and for smiles,
for reunions and socialities. 1t is generally
observed in this country by the people but
its manner of observance is diversified with
the section and the habits and customs
of the times.
The first Thanksgiving Day in America
was proclaimed and observed in the Col
ony of Massachusetts,, in an early day and
IN peculiar circumstances not unmixed
with deep distress. 1t was in the hard
winter Of 1851 The Colony was wrapped
| In snow and ice. The country was
sparsely populated, and even the birds
| died The inhabitants were poor, and to
| add to the miseries of the unexampled and
protracted cold weather, famine prevailed.
| The destitution was universal. There was
1 no food and none to be had Christmas
came; the month of January opened
| darkly and drearily for the suffering col
onists The year 1881 had dropped into
the calendar of the past. February 1882
came. but brought no relief The ngor-
/ ous severity of the winter was undated
The stores of provisions were almost en-
tirely exhausted. Death and grim starva-
ton stared the distressed inhabitants in
the face. The sulleneness of despair was
settling on their faces and hope had fed
from their hearts. Characteristic of the
sublime virtue of those early Puri-
tans, they resigned themselves TO then
fate and their trust to their God Gov.
John Winthrop, the Colonial Governor al
the time. appointed the 9th of February as
day of humiliation, fasting and prayer.
The day was close by and with Christian
resignation not expecting relief, the people
were going to observe it. Gov. Winthrop,
according to the colonial records of the
times '-had his last corn IN his oven.
The 4th of February came. Beyond the
9th there was no hope entertained by these
hardy pioneers. On the 9Th of February,
sail was seen in the distance. On she
came. like a messenger of mercy, anC
dropped into port Wild shouts of JOY
burst from the hearts of those men. The
vessel had an abundant supply of pro
visions aboard The people threw theil
arms about each others necks, as tears o
gratitude streamed from their eyes. They
fell upon their knees and poured fortl
their thanks to the Most High
God for snatching them, as it were, from
the grave They partook plentifully of tn,
food so opportunity sent. This was on til,
9TH, and in the fullness Of his heart, Gov
Winthrop proclaimed the 9th day of Feb
ruary, which was to have been one of fast
ing and deep humiliation, as
DAY OF THANKSGIVING.
Provisions were distributed, the peopl
feasted, and observed it as the first Thanks
giving Day. 1t has been observed once
wear ever since. In the course of event
il was changed to November, as the season
when the grain has been garnered, tn
harvest ended and the vintage over Tn
Chief Magistrate of the Nation and tn
Governors of States have one day set apaT
as an ancient custom, to be observed as
festive Thanksgiving Day.
1t used to be observed Ill the New Eng
land States with dinners of roast turkey an
| pumpkin pie. General religious service
| were also had In the Western and MID
D | die States the churches have divine serviC
D and the elder people have social and famil
reunions, while younger persons engage
an endless variety Of innocent amusc
ments
e This, then, is orr Thanksgiving Day.
, | possesses this year a double significance
3 II is both the national and State Thank
: giving, President Grant having set it apal
= for all the States and Gov. Senter PR
claimed it for Tennessee. From the golde
gates of California to the waters of tn
, Chesapeake Bay, our people are invited b
their Chief Executive to return thanks I
! God. Our State Governor invites us to d
j the same. BY happy felicity of though
{ and feeling, may not on this occasion a
the States rcunite and blend happily t.
gether again as one grand sisterhood
=, claiming and receiving the protection {
I the great patcrnal head? Let us hope 81
/ and hope, too, that the next annual Thank,
: giving may find rs happy and prosperor
as n nation, as States and as people