The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-11-30

w IL.
it is in honor Of the patron saint Of the
Scotch, and the latter an annual religious
festival which had its early home in New
England, so far as this country is con-
cerned, and Is slowly spreading over the
land, to some extent anticipating and usurp-
ing the glories OF the glad Christmas season.
1t was suggested by the Hebrew Feast OF
Tabernacles, or Feast of Ingathering," Mt
the end Of :he year.
The occasional observance OF q day OF
thanksgiving, formally recommended by
the civil authorities, was not unusual in
Europe, and such a day was observed in
Leyden, Holland, October 3, 1915, the first
anniversary OF the deliverance OF the city
from siege. In 1908 the Pilgrim Church,
exiled from England, went to Holland, and
remained there until 1920, when it sent off
the May Flower colony to New England.
After the first harvest of the colonists at
Plymouth, in 1921, Governor Bradford sent
four men out fowling that they might
after more special manner rejoice together.
In July, 1923, a day Of fasting and prayer
was appointed on account OF drought.
Rain came abundantly while they were
praying, and the Governor appointed day
Of thanksgiving, which was observed
with religious services. The Charles
town records show similar change
Of fast-day into thanksgiving in 1851
on account Of the arrival of sup
plies from Ireland. In June, 1882, Cover
nor Winthrop, Of the Massachusetts, Bay
colony, recommended day OF thanksGiy-
ing on account Of the action Of the British
colonies, and invited the Governor Of Ply
mouth colony to unite with him. There is
record Of the official appointment OF days
of thanksgiving in Massachusetts, Bay col
ony in 1858, 1854, 1857, 1853, and 1859
sometimes more than one day in the Year,,
and in Plymouth in 1861, 1860, 1868 (when
the form Of the recommendation indicates
that it had become an annual custom), 1859,
and 1890. The earlier OF these appoint
ments were Mt different seasons of the year,
and for special reasons particularly for the
arrival OF ships with provisions and new
colonists); but the latter were more general
ly for the harvest, and were in the late au-
tumn or early winter.
Occasional thanksging-days were ap-
pointed by the Dutch Governors OF New
Netherlands in 1G44, 1866, and 1864, and by
! the English Governors OF New York in
1876 and 1760. During the Revolution
thanksgiving-day was national institution,
being annually recommended by Congress
but after the general Thanksgiving for peace
in 1854 there was no national appointment
until 1889, when President Washington, by
request OF Congress, recommended q day o
thanksgiving for the adoption of the Con
stitution. Washington issued secont
thanksgiving proclamation in 1895 on ac
count OF the suppression OF insurrection.
President Madison, by request Of Con
gress, recommended thanksgiving for peac'
in April, 1915. But the official recommend
alton OF thanksgiving-day seems mainly t.
have been confined to New England, wher'
regular annual proclamations were issuet
by the Governors OF the States, and he da,
was observed almost universally with reli
gious services, and was, says Appleton
Encyclopedia, "the principal social ant
home festival OF the year."
The Prayer-Book of the Protestant Epis
copal Church ratified in 1889 recommend
for day OF thanksgiving the first Thursda,
in November, unless another day be ap
pointed by the civil authorities. There wa
occasional recommendation by other reli
gious bodies, and various local customs pre-
vailed in different parts Of the country, bu
the day was not regularly recommended b.
the Governor OF New York until 1917, ant
its adoption in the southern States wa
much later. In 1865 Governor Johnson, o
Virginia, recommended day Of thanks
giving; but in 1867, Governor Wise, bein!
requested to do so, publicly declined be
cause unauthorized to interfere in religion
matters. In 1853 thanksgiving proclama
tions were issued by the Governors OF eigb
OF the southern States. Says the Encyclo
padia:
"During the war President Lincoln issuet
procamations recommending special thanks
giving for victory in 1862, 1863, and nationa
proclamation OF the annual thanksgiving i,
1863 and 1864" Those thanksgiving-days
however, were not for the southern com
try. We had our own. Since that tim,
such o proclamation has been issued an
nualy by the President, as well as by many
Of the Governors OF the States and tht
Mayors OF the principal cities; and custom
has fixed the time for the last Thursday il
November, which is to-day.
1t is happily arranged that Thanksgiving
day comes at season of the year when tht
markets are full of fine eatables, and when
turkeys especially are in their prime
Though it will be long may it be never
before Thanksgiving-day becomes rival O.
Christmas in this latitude. there are many
who observe it by visits to the sanctuaries,
by prayers for the blessings Of God, ant
particularly by splendid dinners, around
which gather friends and family.
The post-office. custom-house, and United
States offices will be closed to-day. The
banks will also cease operations and OBJ
serve the occasion, and there will bt
thanksgiving services at the Episcopa
churches and at Clay-Strect Methodist
church.
THANKSGIVING DISNER.-The ladies O