The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1893-11-30
II Z II RIB u ITO N.

Thursday in November was recommend
ed as day of national Thanksgiving by
the prayer book of the Protestant Epis-
copal church in 1889, since when other
denominations have made similar provi-
sions. The governor of New York 20
years ago appointed regular day, and
the other northern states quickly fol-
lowed, the southern states joining in aft.
or the war.
The staid and chastened rejoicing with
which the honest but austere pilgrim
fathers observed the day may be learned
from the proclamation in 1867 of Petrus
Stuyvesant, or rather cf the council of
the New Netherlands, in which he en-
Joins thankfulne3s, but forbids certain
worldly pleasures il the following words:
In order that these services may he observed
with the greatest harmony tho director gem
eral and council forbid during the exercises
on the said day Of 1hanksgivin all such pleas
Cres as playiuy tennis or ball, hunting, fishing,
driving, plCwing, moving, together with all for
hidden plays, as dice, conyiviali lity and such like
under pain OF arbitrary Punishment, and we ad-
monish at the same time all ministers OF the
holy gospel Within our jurisdiction 10 formulate
their sermons and prayers accordingly. Given
in council held at Fort Amsterdam, in New
Netherlands, 9th OF February, 1861.
AS to the cause for national thanks
giving, no true American can say there
is not abundant reason for thankfulness
This is the year OF the commemoratiou
of the centenary of the institution,
greater liberty is enjoyed than in per-
haps any other country, and while there
always will be rich and poor, there are
less poverty and higher wages proper
tionately for workmen than in any other
country in the world. The chances of
rising to wealth are open to all The
lahoTing man Of today may possibly be a
millionaire 10 or 90 years hence. The
agricultural resources Of the country are
so great that double the present popula-
ton of this country could be sustained
in the United States without increasing
the area of single farm or adding one
to their number by merely bringing the
product up to the standard of reasonably
good agriculture. Besides this, there
might remain for export twice the guam
tity required for home use, which could
be sent abroad to feed the hungry.
The first Thanksgiving proclamation
of Washington as president of the United
States was made in New York on Oct
3, 1889, setting apart Thursday, Nov
26, of that year ito be devoted by the
people of these states to the service of
that great and glorious Being who is the
Author of all the good that is, that was
or that will be-" etc.
His second Thanksgiving proclama-
ton was made in Philadelphia ON Jan. /,
| 1895, the occasion to be one Of special
observance.
OF all the Thanksgiving proclama-
tions ever issued, that which caused the
bitterest comment was the one by Gov.
"rnor John Jay of New York. 1t stands
conspicuous in the pages of history by
marking the acrimony and enmity OF
his assailants in the way in which it Is
v Jrded, and is as follows:
! Whereas, The governor OF the state of New
| York is vested with authority to appoint day
| for this purpose, and TO require and enjon the
| observance of il is a question which, circum-
| stanced as il is, consider as being more ap-
| propriate for the legislature than for me 10 de-
! eide. But, as the people of this state have con-
( stituted me their chief magistrate, and being
perfectly convinced that national prosperity
! obtained and ought 10 obtain. national graft
tude TO the Supreme Ruler OF all nations, |
| think IL appropriate TO recommend, and
| therefore do earnestly recommend, 10 the
clergy and others Of my fellow citizens through
out this state TO set apart Thursday, the 25th
of November, for the prfpose aforesaid and TO
observe II accordinglys
The question why the turkey becomes
the national bird, as far as the table Is
concerned, on Thanksgiving day has new
er been settled and probably never will
be. Most likely it is because this gallina-
ceous fowl is in prime order for killing
at this time and possibly because most
Of the pilgrim fathers cried Turkey" at
their first Thanksgiving feast. The same
mystery prevails regarding the associa-
ton of cranberry sauce with turkey at
this time. II will probably never be re-.
yealed. Let those. who wish to lift the
veil beware lest their curiosity to see
what Is hidden may reveal cause so
. utterly prosaic, asto take away some OF
the charms Of feast consecrated by
rver two centuries OF observance