The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1893-11-29


ed as a day of national Thanksgiving by
tho prayer book of the Protestant Epis-
copal church In 1880, since when other
denominations have made similar provi-
sions. Tho governor of New York 20
years ago appointed a regular day, and
the other northern states quickly fol-
lowed, the southern states joining in aft
er the war.
Tho staid and chastenedrejoicing with
which the honest but austere pilgrim
fathers observed the day may be learned
from the proclamation in 1857 of Petrr,
Stuyyesant, or rather cf the council of
the New Netherlands, in which he en-
joins thankfulness, but forbids certain
worldly plea5ures in the following words:
In order that these services may be observed
with the greatest harmony the director gem
cral and council forbid during the exercises
on the said day of Thanksgiving all such pleas
ureS ns playing tennis or ball, hunting fishing
driving, plowing. moving, together with all for
hidden plays. stlice, conVfviality and such like
under pain of arbitrary banishment, and we ad-
monish at the same time all ministers of the
holy gospel W thin our jurisdiction to formulate
their sermons and prayers accordingly. Given
in council held at Fort Amsterdam, in New
Netherlands. 9th of February, 1857.
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 commemoration
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 tho world. The chances of
rising to wealth are open to all. The
laboring man of today may possibly be a
millionaire 10 or 20 years hence. The
agricultural resources of the country are
SO great that double the present popula-
tien 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 ayaS made in New York on Oct.
8, 1883, setting apart Thursday, Nov.
26, of that year ''to 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. 1
1855, the occasion to be one of special
observance.
OF all the Thanksgiving proclama-
tions ever issued, that which caused the
nor /,
ernor John Jay of New York. 1t stands
marking the acrimony and enmity of
his assailants in the way in which it is
worded, and is as follows:
Whereas, The governor of the state of New
York is vested with authority to appoint a day
for this purpose, GAd to require and enjoin the
observance of it is question which, circum-
stanced- as 1t is, consider being moro ap-
propriate for the legislature than for me to de-
eide. But, as the people of this state have con-
stithtcd mo their chief magistrate, and being
perfectly convinced that national prosperity
obtained and ought to obtain national grati-
tude to the Supreme Ruler of all nations,
think 1t appropriate to recommend, and
therefore do earnestly recommend, to the
Clergy and others of my fellow citizens through
out this state to set apart Thursday, the Goth
OF November, for the purpose aforesaid and to
observe it accordingly.
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 '.Turkeyr' at
their first Thanksgiving feast. The same
mystery prevails regarding the associa-
tion of cranberry sauce with turkey at
this time. 1t 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 as to take away some of
the charms Of feast consecrated by
over two centuries of observance.