Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1878-11-28
OUR ARERICAN THANKSGIVING
DAY,

Thanksgiving Day is a peculiarly
American institution, with many OF our
American features expressed in it. 1t
originated among the Puritans a. pro-
test against and substitute Tor
Christmas and other festivals OF the
English and Roman Church, which
had come to be, in their opinion,
superstitieus observances Of doubtful
events. Like practical Americans rs they
were, they thought our fasts and feasts
should be regulated by considerations OF
utility and convenience, and not by the
Incidental and accidental circumstances
of church history. The mediaeval days
of church observance often come Mt in
convenient seasons of the year, and
irksomely near each other, and often
when there is no special occasion for
them, but rather for an opposite kind OF
observance. Mid-winter dos not seem
peculiarly appropriate for rejoicing, nor
early spring when hard work was to be
resumed) for fasting. They, therefore,
took the matter into their own hands, rs
the folksd did who long ago established the
church feasts and f,,sts, and re-arranged
and reformed them to suit our times and
American life. As this was then pecu-
liary agricultural country, the people
were supposed to be most generally
ready To give thanks when the crops
were in and the fruits gathered for the
wear, when they could see what they
had TO he thankful for, and could actual
" be inspired by the occasion which
called forth the observance. The same
Puritans thought that We should have a
national or secular thanksgiving day,
and not churchly one; that the gov
ermental authorities should appoint,
il. and not the ecclessiaStics or tradition
al calendar; and il has in a measure
served to wipe away religious biSotrieS
by calling the people OF all denomlna-
tons, rs no hitherto religious day could
do, to one day and one kind OF service;
or it, il all religious days, is not a sec
arian day, 1t assumes the facts and
chronology of no church; but like the
Lords prayer supposes for its
observance only the existence of God and
the belief that His providence has some
thing to do with our welfare. Every
BODY in the observance OF this day can
be thankful who believes there is God
to be thankful to, and who believes
there is anything to be thankful for.
We welcome, then, this rs peculiar
" American and modern festival, suited
to our wants and enjoyments, liberal in
its conception and observance, tending
to liberalize and harmonic Us, like the
Fourth of July, appealing tn no preIu-
dices, pre-suppo,ing no creed, and I'M
plying nothing childish or superstitious.
1t has recently become national and
serves rs bond of union between the
States and sections. For though the
day was originally appointed by the gov
ernors of the several States Tor of the
New England States, and was often a
different day in the different States, it
is now appointed by the President OF
the United States; and although the
Governors still, as matter of form, also
make the appointment, they by general
consent adopt the day chosen by the
President. 1t comes at the right time,
is observed in the right way, and is alto
gether the most sensible religious festi-
We've have. 1t is political Christmas
with religious gratitude for secular ia
vors, as Christmas is day of secular
gratitude for religious favors. Thanks
giving Is the mems Christmas, as Christ
mas Is the children's thanksgiving day,
and IL observed in q manly and practical
way. II Is not too good like the Sab
bath 10 be enjoyed, nor too useless like
sDms church days. TO be participated In
w sensible men.