The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-11-26
rHANKsGIvIN J.

Ih2NLAGOAF ~ -
All least twice during the dark day
of the Revolution the Continental Con
gress appointed by proclamation da!
for Thanksgiving and praise. The 18th o
December, III, was once when the army
was in winter quarters at Valley Forge
General Washington's orderly booi
under date of the 18th, contains the
following: "To-morroW being the day
set apart by the honorable Congress fol-
public Thanksgiving and Praise, and
duty calling US deYoutly to express oul
grateful Acknowledgements to God fol
the manifold blessings he has granted
ms, the General directs that the army
retire to its private quarters, and that
the chaplains perform divine service
with their several corps and brigades
and earnestly exhorts all officers and
soldiers, whose absence is not absO-
luteiy necessary, to attend with rever-
ence the solemnities of the day."
Before the Revolution there were
Thanksgiving days in MaSsachu-
sets. At the close of the war
and the return of peace, the'custom mad
not become general, being still confined
TO New England. Gradually the custom
extended as New England people found
their way into the western states, and
formed little societies among themselves,
but not until the breaking out of the
war for the Union did Thanksgiving be-
come national in Its character. Then
it was that the sense of .natona u
pendence upon divine favor was QUICK
ened, and President Abraham Lincoln.
By executive proclamation, invited ali
the people to give thanks to God for his
goodness, and pray that His protection
and favor might be continued. Since
the Tesssertion Of peace the practice
which had been inaugurated at a time
of national peril and sorrow, has been
continued and maintained with degree
Of faithfulness that amounts slmost to
reverence. Annually IS the feast
OF the ingathering kept in every
part of this broad land, and everywhere
nave the sons and daughters of New
England carried the fond memories,
as well as their reverence for
their ancestors and the old homestead
The only day that is better established
IN the hearts of the American people !
Is the Christmas that, is so merry and
IN its significance. The de-
mand is from all that the President of |
the republic designate one day each
yea for Thanksgiving. In this is there
unity among the people-a unity that is
OF q warmer affection and |
closer brotherhood than we are apt TO
believe exists when watching the every
day lives Of the units who make up |
this great nation.
This is the day designated by Pres
dent Cleveland, and it will be celebrated
IS festal day by ffty-fve millions OF
people. The sons and daughters of
hose who used to feast and pray on the
shores of the Atlantic viii celebrate it
4
1n the Eastern coast, amid the valleys
and mountains, on the broad prairies
and on the shores OF the Pacific.
che farm, the wood, the mine. the range,
he mill and the workshop VIII all know
he Thanksgiving, and exult in the
of heaven.
Never has there been q time When the
American people could better celebrate
he day in its true significance than to-
lay. The year has passed without deadly
trife or devastating plaques; earth has
'ounteously yielded its increase; honest,
aithful industry has bsen fairly re-
FaEded, and toll received its just COM
sensation; there has been little lack of /
Employment for those who wanted to II
york. willing hands everywhere finding l
to do.
Here in Utah cloud has been passing Il
nd is not yet gone; it has brought some I
Orrow and suffering, and 8 few are en- Il
uring hardship and torture; but the c
ear has been a prosperous one IN the
lain, and al wiz find in the past twelve /
lonths much tor which TO thank the T
liver of al good gifts. We can all be Q
thankful. a
TRE HERALD hopes the day viii be &
ne Of peace. of joy. of kindly feelings, u
the uplifting OF the heart, of good y
eeds, and of moderation in pleasure; b
that enjoyment and recognition OF "
bligations which shall make us all s.
etter than We were before. n
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