The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-22
YIRGINIA'S DAY OR THANKS.
Rich IN Blessings, There Is Reason for
Gratitude and Praise.
4 HISTORY OF THANKSGIVING DAYS.
Prosperity ~Throurhout the Lard-southern
States Blessed with n Bountiful Harvest
and Continued Success.

and Continued Success.
In accordance with the proclamation by
the President and of all the Governors of the
various States Of the Union next Thursday.
e November 18th. will be observed throughout
} this country as a day of thanksgiving.
, The custom OF setting apart one day each
year as q time for especial thanksgiving has
PINE down through several centuries,
although not until within the past thirty
years has the day been practically about the
same season.
The idea is popularity supposed to have
been taken from the Hebrew feast of taber-
nscle or feast of ingathering at the end Of
the year" The occasional observance OF a
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. 1876, the first
anniversary Of the deliyerence Of that city
from siege.
After the first harvest Of the c~olonists at
Plymouth. in 1921. Governor Bradford sent
four men out after wild turkeys in order that
they might after a more special manner re-
Jolce together
THK sEvEETEENTH CENTURY.
In July, 1923, q day Of fasting and prayer
WNF hHINAAAALA 0A nkLkNAk Va AUukuI. 1AAll
came abundantly while they were praying,
and the Governor appointed a day Of thanks
giving. which was observed with religious
services. Thu Charlestown records show a
similar change # fast day into thanksgiving
IN 1851 on account of the arrival of supplies
from Ireland.
In June, 1852. Governor Winthrop. OF the
Massachusetts Bay colony. recommended a
day OF Thanksgiving on account of tho action
OF the British Council favorable TO the colo
MES, and invited the Governor of Plymouth
colony 70 Unite with him. There is also re-
cord OF the appointment Of DAYS Of thanks
giving IN Massachusett Bay in 1888, 1884. 1857,
1888 and 1889. and in Plymouth in 1861. 1868
and 1850. 1859 and 1890. when the
dalton shows that it became the annual Gus
tom.
The earlier Of these appointments we're at
different seasons Of the year and for special
reasons, particularly for the arrival Of ships
with provisions and new colonists. but the
later ones were more generally for the har-
vest. and were held in the autumn or early
winter.
DURING THE EVOLUTION.
During the revolution Thanksgiving dav
was a national institution, being annually
recommended by Congress, but after the
general Thanksgiving for peace IN. 1884 there
was no appointment until 1889. when Presi-
dent Washington. by the request of Congress,
recommended a day of thanksgiving for the
adoption of the Constitution.
Washington issued a second Thanksgiving
proclamation IN 1896 on account of the sup
preston of the instruction. President Madi-
son, by request of Congress. recommended
thanksgiving for peace in April. 1915.
The prayer-book OF the Protestant Fpisco-
pal church, ratified in 1889, recommends for a
day OF thanksgiving the first Thursday in
November, unless another day be appointed
the civil authorities. There was occa-
siOnal recommendation by other religious
bodies and vQrfonq 1coo1 orotcy,o ,-o-.l.
IN different parts Of the country, but the day
not regularly recommended by the Gov q
of New York until 1917. a
In 1875 Governor Johnson, Of Virginia.
recommended 3 day Of Thanksgiving, but in
Governor Wise, being requested 10 do 40
declined because unauthorized to in.
.eriere IN religious matters. In 1853 Thanks g
slylng proclamatiOns were issued by the 8
Governors of eight of the Southern States. s
WAR PROCLAMATION. :
During the war President Lincoln issued
'roclamations recommending special thanks
living IN 1862 and 1868. and a national
reclamation of the annual Thanksgiving n
lay in 1868 and 1864. Since that time
UGH a proclamation has been annually issued
" the President, the Governors of the States II
nd the mayors of the principal cities. all G
DOPING the last Thursday IN November as S.
be date. ~
Thanksgiving day in the home Of the New ~ ~
- hAAA
3uniOns were held and sumptuous feasts
prepared, about which they gathered in
appiness and pleasure. Their ideas OF the
Jlemnity OF Christmas forbade them making u
festival of that day. so their me-ry-making &,
as confined very largely TO Thanksgiving ri
9y. ca
In the Southern States Christmas has ALWAYS
zen the particular day of festivities. and
nth in very recent years the day has been 60
'~ligiously observed. but not celebrated witt ca
l%rticular social features. &c
RICH IN BLESSINGS.
For over a quarter Of a century. beginning
18th President Lincoln. the beautiful custom
IS been annually observed. and now at the ]
.therng of a bOuntiful harvest the time has ne
ain arrived for its celebration. and on II
thursday next, from the vine clad hills OF
sw England 10 the sunny slopes of the Pa i
a grateful nation will unite in thanks DEL
wing, and SIT about their fresides and at -
cir teasts IN peace and happiness. children
of one infinite Father.
Throughout the borders of the Southern
ates during the past year there have been \
Instant scenes Of quietude and prosperity. Fy
, scourge nor pestilence has claimed her
rs and daughters, and the fruits of her IE
have ripened in sunshine and gladness.
Within the limits of our own Common
attn peace has sereneiy dWelt.
We ARE HAPPY.
mines have given up their treasures
y 'uo uanuS % energy ana thrift, and the AN.
m Of the workshop and factory has been w
SIC TO our people, aud upon the very w
'eshold of this anniversary the integrity of "
people IS indicated. and the sunlight of w
ter days in probity and honor bursts
ough clouds that long have lowered about M
We are happy and prosperous, and hail orr Nv
.nksglylng with hearts attuned 10 grateful So
nowiedgment 20 the author Of our pros
kO'
THE RUSSIAN REFUGEES ON