The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-11-17

rntons a custom which has long prevailed in New
england and in other portions Of the country. The
children OF the household, who have been scattered
here and there by that emineDtly American spirit OF
family disintegraton, by the prevalence OF which
alone has the vast extent OF territory been so
thoroughly settled in so short space OF time, en-
brace the occasion, In preference to all others OF the
year. to gather around the parental table, and there
recall in social the joys and sorrows OF by
gone DAYS. From this custom, more than from any
other, perhaps, the modern Thanksgiving has de-
rived the somewhat irreligious character which now
distinctly marks IT, Fun ana frivolity, instead OF
devotion and sobriety the only aspects which 1t
assumes to many miuds. To enable each to cele-
brae the event in manner in accordance with their
tastes places OF amusements of all kinds and charac
ters greet the denizens OF the city with open doors.
Double and even triple bills, are favorite schemes,
by resortng to which theatrical managers and show
men in general have found it easy to repenish their
purses.
Its History.
From the earliest times of our Independent ma
tional existence Thanksgiving day has been OBJ
served I'm some way or other in at least some por-
ton OF the country IL was at the very outset,
of a national observance, as the history shows; then
came to be the great day for certain sections, being
more thoroughly observed in some parts than in
Others and was appontedby the Governors of dltfe-
rent States independently OF each other 1t has now
again become O national holiday, appointed by the
President of the United States, with the concurrence
of the Governors. Thus its true character should
ALWAYS be preserved 1t is distnctively an American
institution and should be observed 10y all Americans
in concert.
The First National ThNukssiving, December
IL, l771s
The first national Thanksgiving dates back to the
third year of our Revolutionary war. On Friday
October 81 1177, Congress adopted the following re-
solutlon:-
"Resolred, That a committee of three be appointed
to prepare recommendation to the several States
to set apart day for thanksgiving for the signal
success lately obtained over the enemies OF these
United Stats.'
AS Washington was then on his dreary march to
Valley Forge, it might have been thought that the
rebeious colonists had but little in the way of
cess for which they could reasonably be expected
to give thanks Yet Trenton and Princeton had
been fought, and the enemy held at bay, If nothing
more; while at Saratoga, the army of Burgoyne had
surrendered to a man. And such the faith of
those heroic men in the righteous cause which they
upheld, that such faint glimmers OF light were
viewed as heralding the coming dawn. SO Samuel
Adams r. II. Lee and Mr.. Roberdean were duly ap
pointed on the committee for drafting the
document, and by them Thursday the 10th day
of December following, was recommended to be
set apart "for solemn thanksgiving and praise
BY further order Of Congress, duplicates OF this
recommendation, signed by their President, were
forwarded to the several States, and to Generals
Washington and Gates, the latter Of whom at that
time held the chief command in the Southern army.
Henry Laurens then President of Congress- in trans
hitting this recommendation to the Governors, OIL
Caly requested them to the adoption of such
measures as would cause each State to join heartily
in the celebration.
The observance Of the day in the main army under
Washington was particularly impressive. The Com
mander-in-Chief halted his whole column, and re-
quested every ofhcer and soldier "tO attend, with
reverence, the solemntes of the day." The chaplain
of each brigade conducted religious services which
were fully attended, and thus the world was pre-
scented with a scene which, for moral grandeur, has
but few counterparts in history
The Second Nntionandh Trssssnsssivins' rssa December
About 4 year subsequent to this event. Congress
adopted similar measure, recommending that
Wednesday, December 30 177S, be set apart ''to be
observed day Of public thanksgiving and praise
that all the people may, with united hearts, ON that
day, express just sense OF Gods unmerted favors
particularly that it has pleased Him, in His overru-
ing Providence, to support US in just and neces-
sary war for the defense of our rights and liberties
Nv affording us seasonabe supplies for our armies,
" dsposng the heart of a powerful monarch to
inter into an alliance with us and our cause, by de-
eating the counsels and evil designs of our enemies
md giving us victory their troops, and by the
continuance of that Union among these States
which, by His blessing, will be their future strength
and glory"
Congress likewise set apart, as a day of national
Thanksgiving, Thursday, December 8, 1873.
Thanksgiving for .hs TSye IS A5nod' rre"
On the 18th Of october, $780, Congress again re-
commended that Thursday, the 7th of December
following be observed as a day OF thanksgiving to
Almighty God for the blessings with which He had
crowned the nation, more especially" as the reso-
luton ran, sin the late interposton Of His watch
full Providence in rescuing the person of our Com
mander-in-Chief and the army from imminent
danger, at a moment when treason was ripened for
execution"
Tbauksgfying for the Capture of Lord Corn
wallis and His Army.
Still recognizing the hand OF Providence, as mani
festly interfering in behalf of the OF indepen
dence, Congress again recommended as a day OF
THANKSGIVING for the capture of Lord Cornwallis
and his army, Thursday, the 18th of December
1871.
The proclamation of this Thanksgiving being
unique and not being often met with, we copy 1t in
full 1t is from the FreemdH'S Journal, published ii
Philadelphia October 81 17s1:-
Proclamation.
Whereas 1t has pleased Almighty God, the Father
OF Mercies, remarkably to assist and support TIT
United states OF America in their important struggle
for liberty against the long continued enOrts OF
powerful nation it is the duty OF all ranks TO observe
and thankfully acknowledge the lnterposton OF hl'
providence in their behalf Through the whole Of
the contest from its rise to this time, the influence
of Divine Providence may be clearly perceived IN
many signal instances, OF which we mention but 8
few. ,
In revealing the councils OF our enemies when the
discoveries were seasonabe and important, and the
means were inadequate or fOrtuitous:-
In preserving and improving the union OF the
several States, on the breach OF which our enemies
placed the greatest dependence.
In increasing the lumber, and adding TO the yea
and attachment OF the friends OF liberty. ,-
In granting remarkable deliverances, and blessing
us with the most signal success, when affairs seemed
to have the most dlsagreeabe appearances.
In raising up for US powerful ana generous an