Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-11-28

landed at plymouth rock. IL was not
very much of Thanksgiving, for they
did not feel that they had very much
to b thankful for, but was rather re-
v,val Of the English harvest home
Matters were about the same in 1922,
and with much about the same result
in giving thanks. In 1923. however,
an expected ship tailed to arrive with
provisions when they were likely to be
most wanted, and the prospects Of fam
inc were SO bright that Gov. Bradford,
acting in the undoubted exercise
Of bis prerogative, ordered day to be
set apart for fasting, humiliation and
prayer.
But before the day appointed had
come. provisions turned up all right,
and the day. was turned into one Of
Thanksgiving. Mr.. W,nslow, ono Of the
pilgrims, in letter gives an interesting
account Of this memorable day in the
American history. The celebration
was held with "glory, honor and praise,
with all thankfulness to our good God
which deals SO grsciously with u.s.
Ninety Indians, headed by King Mas
sasoit, arrived at the settlement in the
nick of time and shared in the feast.
This celebration was somewhat pre-.
vious, for not long after the pilgrims
were down to plain Holsters without
bread, and spring water. which, SAID
Governor Bradford. somewhat impaired
the freshness Of our complexions.' As
we'll it might.
The Puritan settlers at Nantasket
Jared little better than the Pilgrims
some years later. On Feb. 9, 1851,
provisions had reached q vanishing
point. The last -four IN the colony was
baking in Governor Win.hrop's oven.-
1t Was the day appointed for public
fast. At tho last moment the ship Ly-
on was sighted. The fast was imms.
diately changed into feast. This is
generally hold as the first regular day
Of Thanksgiving dav in New England.
After this date thanksgiviugs were
held every uow and then. as the occas.
ion for them arose. A general day Of
thanksgiving WAS held in all churches
in New England on June IL, 1887. to
celebrate the signal victory oyer the
Pequot Indians at Fort Mystic. The
success Of the synod IN settling the re.
lieious creed of all New England was
also celebrated in special thanksgiv-
ing on Oct. II of the same year.
Forty years later Governor andre.
attempted to make the New England
colonists give thanks in obedience to
his commands. He appointed the first
day Of December, 1857, as a day Of
Thanksgiving. People were about tir.
ed Of 2he governors arbitrary ways BY
this time, and nobody thanked worth q
q cent. Several of those who would
not dance to Governor Andros' piping
were hauled before the courts to an
swer for their contempt. One sturdy
old Puritan answered that he was a.
bove the observation of days and times.
This was not the last Of the high
handed governors attempts to make
the coIonists give thanks for things
they didn't want. When James II ex.
pected an heir in direct succession tc
the English throne the stubborn Puri-
tans of New England were told to be
thankful on April lS, 1858, that they
were to be ruled by race Of Catholic
kings. They seemed to appreciate the
prospect 80 little that Aug. "a in the
same year was also ordained as day oi
Thanksgiving by the governor to COM
memorate the birth Of the ill.fated wan.
derer who was afterward known as the
elder pretender.
On this day the colonists were not
any happier than the pretender would
have been himself if lie could have fore
seen his own future.
Queen Anne gave some more favor
able opportunities Of observing nation
al thanksgivings. April 5, l703, was
thus held with great reioicings to cele-
brate the first of Marlborough's yicto-
ries over the French in Holland. All
the American colonies had good time
on Aug. 2, 1904. when salutss were fir.
ed and general illumlnstions were held
to commemorate the great victory Of
Blenheim by the same commander.
Of all the Thanksgiving days held in
obedience to orders from the English
crown, that of Nov. l3, 1859, touched
most nearly the hearts of the future
American nation. For in that year the
l.