The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-11-19
A National Thanksgiving.

1t was not until during the war that 1t
became customary for the President of
the United States to appoint, by procla-
nation, National Thanksgiving day.
AS our readers know, the celebration of
the day itself began in the very early
history of the Massachusetts, Colony.
The first Thanksgiving day was called as
a fast day, at time when the colony was
almost starving, but was changed to
feast day, and has spread from New En-
gland westward and southwark over the
whole land. For many years it was APP
pointed in the various States by the Gov
errors thereof, and, there being no con-
cert of action between them, would be
held at different dates, though almost al
ways on Thursday. An effort was
made to unite on one day-the last
Thursday in November-as the day of
Thanksgiving, and in 1859 thirty of the
thirty three States then existing held
their Thanksgiving holiday on that day.
In 1868 President Lincoln issued his
first National Thanksgiving proclama-
ton, and the custom of Presidential
Thanksgiving has since been kept up.
The National Thanksgiving day, APP
pointed by Presidential proclamation,
is, however, by no means so new an idea
as is generally supposed. President
Lincoln was only following the example
set by President Washington, in the first
year of his Presidency. Washington
was inaugurated on the 4th of March,
1889. On the third Of October of the
same year he issued proclamation for a
National Thanksgiving day to be held on
Thursday, Nov. 26, 1889. That first
National Thanksgiving proclamation is
worth reproducing here:
WHEREAS, 1t is the duty of all nations to
acknowledge the providence OF Almighty God,
10 obey His will, to be grateful for His bene-
fits, and humbly implore His protection and
favor and, whereas, both Houses Of Congress
have by their joint committees requested me
to recommend to the people of the United
States day of public Thanksgiving and prayer,
to be observed by acknowledging with grateful
hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty
God especially by affordng them an oppor-
tunity OF peaceably establishing form Of gov
eminent for their safety and happiness. Now,
therefore, do recommend and assign Thurs
day, the twenty day OF November next, to
be devoted by the people Of these States to the
service OF the great and glorious Being, who is
the beneficent author Of all the good that was,
that il, that will be.
THAT we then all unite in rendering unto
Him our sincere and humble thanks for His
kind care and protection Of the people of this
country previous to it's becoming a nation,
for the signal and manifold mercies, and the
favorable interposition Of His providence in
the course and conclusion Of the late war ;
for the great degree of tranquility, union,
and plenty which we have since enjoyed for
the peaceable and rational manner in which
we have been enabled to establish ccnsttu-
tions of government for our safety and happi-
| ..~A.- Al. a
lately instituted for civil and religious liberty
with which We are blessed. and the means we
have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowl-
edge, and in general for all the great and vari-
GUS favors which He hath been pleased to COLI
fer upon us. And also that we may then unite
in most humbly offering our prayers and sup
plications to the great Lord and Ruler Of ma
tons, and beseech Him to pardon our national
and other transgreesions to enable us all.
whether in public or private stations, to per-
form our several and national duties properly
and prudently ; to render our national govern
ment blessing to all people, constantly being
government OF wise, just and constitutional
laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and
obeyed ; to protect and guide all soveregns
and nations especially such have shown
kindness unto u.s.. and bless them with good
government, peace and concord to promote
the knowledge Of true religion and virtue, and
the increase OF science among us ; and gener-
ally to grant unto all mankind such degree
OF temporal prosperity as He alone knows to
be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New
York, the third day of October, in the year of
our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and
eighty-nine. GEoRoE WASHINGTON.
1t is now proposed that Congress shall,
by law, set apart the last Thursday in
November as an annual legal holiday, a
day of National Thanksgiving for the
blessings of the year. The suggestion
is good one, and we heartily sec
ond it.