Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-08-31
THANKSGIVING Day.

been vouchsafed them during the past
year. The selection of the 31st of August
for this purpose is decided innovation
upon established custom, the fourth
Thursday in November having been
heretofore recognized as the general
Thanksgiving day. This selection of
the Governor of Georgia, however
which was made at the special request of
the State Agricultural Society lately in
session in Marietta-is eminently appro-
pirate.
The celebration heretofore of the fourth
Thursday in November as Thanksgiving
day is due to the fact that New England
has always set apart that day for general
thanksgiving. For many years, and in
deed until quite recently, that was the only
section of the country where Thanksgiv
ing day was generally observed. and there
it took the place of our Christmas. AT
that time it was customary for New
England families to assemble together,
and for the home circle-broken by bust
ness demands, or from whatever cause-to
be reunited, and the various households
assembled around the festive board and
about the family hearthstOne to enjoy,
with happy and thankful hearts, the good
things with which beneficent Providence
had blessed them. This, as we have
said, was the general custom throughout
New England for years before it was
observed elsewhere. Gradually, how.
ever, and particularly since the war, the
custom has spread throughout all sec
tons, and it was but natural that the
same day which had been so long
observed in the section from which the
custom was derived should be settled
upon as an appropriate day for the
whole country.
This particular day was also selected
at the North for another obvious reason.
The fourth Thursday in November falls,
in that section, at the end of the autumn
months, and just before the opening of
the bleak, cold weather which, as a rule,
prevails during the winter in that lati-
tude. Tue harvests are all over, the
crops are gathered, and every provision
possible has been made to
guard against the discomforts
of the wintry season. 1t is eminentlY
appropriate, then, that in a section in
which such circumstances control, a day
just at the close Of the harvest, and when
every one is about to enter upon a season
of comparative leisure, should be set
apart for giving thanks for blessings
bestowed, and for the provisions which
have been made against the hardships of
the approaching rigorous season.
1t was exactly on this principle that
the 31st of August has been selected this
year by the Governor of this common
wealth as an appropriate day for thanks
giving in Georgia. We, in this sunny
cline, are not on the verge of rigorous
winter, it is true, but owing to the for
wardness of seasons with us as compared
with the North, the end of August is
recognized as the close of the business
and commercial year, and we are in posi-.
ton to count up the gains and losses of
the previous season, and also to arrive at
some conclusions regarding the year just
| BEGINNING. The books of the past are
closed and a new set are being opened,
and so jast as the people of New Eng
land and the North regard the fourth
| Thursday in November as the most fit
ting time for them to review the past
and give thanks for blessings vouchsafed
them, so in Georgia, it is appropriate
that on the 31st of August her people
should express their gratitude for favors
received before bracing themselves for
| renewed eXertions in the future.
The people of the South, the State of
Georgia and of this city have much
for which to be thankful. During the
year Just closed they have wonderfully
prospered. Our farmers have realized
remuuerative prices for the products of
their farms, and having besides been
blessed with abundant crops. are in posi-
ton to regard the future with compla-
cency and to feel truly independent
And since the welfare of the farmer
means welfare everywhere, their good
fortune has made itself universally felt.
Our merchants have been proftably
busy; the wheels of commerce
have moved swiftly along, and cur
progress in wealth and happiness has
been substantial and striking. Trade
has opened unusually active and strong,
the seasons have been propitious, and
the indications are that nothing will in
tervene to prevent our enjoying year
of remarkable prosperity. Our people
then have indeed every cause to have
grateful hearts, and indulge in bright
anticipations of the future, and it is 10
be hoped that this Thanksgiving day will
be universally and heartily observed in
every city, village, hamlet, and section
of this much favored Empire State of
the South.