New-York tribune., 1896-11-26
OUR THANKSGIVING DAY.
A TIME WHEN MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY
CIRCLE ARE REUNITED.
THE MUCH SOUGHT TURKEY-THE CUSTOMS.
. DECORATIONS. GAMES AND SOUVENIRS OF
THE FEsr1vA1--HAPPY GOSSIP AND
TIMELY SUGGESTIONS.


For long time the observance OF Thanksgiving
Day was an annual custom belonging almost eN-
clusively to the Northern States OF the Union but
now tho observance knows no North. South, East
nor West and everywhere over our broad land the
beautiful custom rests upon us like benediction
From far ard near the members or the lam'E
circle who have flown away from the home-nest
frd their way back for Thanksgiving. like carrier
pigeons, bearing with them tender thoughts and
remembrance Of the loved ones who with the poet
decided that ito stay at home is best
There is no law saying that Thanksgiving shall
be observed is there need of any. for the law OF
custom has decided the matter. and the President
issues each year n Thanksgiving proclamation set
ting aside a certain day In the latter part OF NO
yennber for the general celebration The first public
THANKSGIVING Day appointed officially in this coun-
try was observed By the Puritans on OCTOBER ~
1921 In 177s the chaplain Of Congress recommended
that "wednesday. December 80. be observed as a
day Of public Thanksgiving and praise In l''s 'he
Arst Tuesday in May set aside. and In OCTOBER
l7s Congressman Root suggested that the DAY De
changed to Thursday. December g. But In lN-
Thursday November IS. chosen. and from tha'
time TO the present the last Thursday in November
has been the day decided upon for the great festi-
val
SARAH HALES INFLUENCE.
c.oroa washington issued the first Presidential
proclamation for a Thanksgiving observance. III
may not be generally known that woman was
largely instrumental in bringing about the ahhua'
observance OF the dav. but such is the case Sarah
Josepha Buell. Hale is the name OF the woman VINO
advocated the yearly Thanksgiving Day; for several
wears previous TO 1854 the custom had iaHeh in'o
disuse. Through the columns of magazihe S,'e
edited Mrs Hale earnestly urged return 10 the
annual custom and President Lincoln ably secohoeu
her pleadngs by issuing in 1864 another Frcsioe"'
proclamation for general Thanksgiving Day.
Since then the custom has not been changed ana u
{t 10 ~ fha ard0 q
And who would wish to change II? What would
we do without the great family reunions. when 'he
children, grandchildren and perhaps 'he s''"'-
Grandchildren come back 10 the dear oid nome
bringing happy memories OF her young days 10 'n'
.ver-b haired serene-faced mother as she clasps her
children and her childrens children in her cage,
loving arms? 1t IS "A hallowed day, and Old ana
voune alike love it's joyousness and generous good
cheer. -.
II IS a good day 70 lay aside and forge; all az
ferences and 10 keep I'm ones heart only IN" "h"'r-
ness and sunshine out OF which the h?s an" e''S
Will make such loving smiles and glances.
THE THANKSGIVING TURKEY.
After father and mother. the Oldest grandchld
and the newest baby. the next most important
Thanksgiving parsonage is the turkey lie Is
nohlc biped and while 1t may not be his aim IN HE
shine at the festa Thanksgiving board IL u
most assuredly his end. The turkey ~ lhe ere"'
American bird, and Thanksgiving Days he o"'-
subject for discussion Of the most absorbing Klhu
The exact origin Of the turkey Is buried In obscur-
ity. but he himself Is resplendent that MS an
cestry may be forgiven him. or rather the h'z'h''S
Of 1t may be- Any bird thoroughly satisfactory
and admirable as the turkey must have had hop''
ancestry. and the proud blood Of some great ana
royal biped must. perforce, flow gladly through MS
veins. 49,, o,,
In the fore part Of the sixteenth century the oid
World had become acquainted with the charms o'
the New World bird. and wherever he has been
introduced he has made a favorable and lasting
impression. Who imagine Thanksgiving
dinner without its piece de resistance being the
turkey stuffed with chestnuts. oysters or truiles'
and revealing it's noble proportions and golden
brown breast to the admring gaze OF the assembled
diners?
Can 1t be possible that the turkey will ever occupy
less lofty pinnacle than he at present enjoys
Akin TO our Thanksgiving Day celebration Is ne
Green Corn Dance Of the Indian. which piT0DaDy .
every September. and is observed with great em,ni
slasm and picturesque sayagery mhe fhe" she corn
and grain, and all the members or me IIoe i,,
feathers red blankets beads. moccasns and other
similar adornments But alas; Ihere ~ no -, p reai
eosf So saith radon pine any rate But return
to civilization.
SOUVENIRS OF THE DAY.
The exchange Of Thanksgiving souvenirs Is al
most universal that OF birthday ana
christmas remcmbrances. and reaiy the oCcaS'"'
Is emnently fitting for such custom. one al
ways enjoys the possession OF pretty souvenirs ior
many happy little memories cluster around them
like sunbeams around summer rose. Thanks
giving souvenirs should not be elaborate. but ai,,,
propriate and suggestive OF the merry OCCASION an n
kinds OF cunning little bonbon boxes are now
shown decorated with tiny gilt turkeys or silvered
little MOUTHS S'n sma fAnay paper rpp ppp"mpRns win
dainty bonbons. also Timely little souvenirs, snr
real Thanksgiving candles in the way OF susal
turkeys, an car OF ripe corn in cream paste. mus
and pumpkins in chocolate and barley sugar are
especially appropriate decora tons ,<, ,o.,.
Autumn leaves and flowers form beauiiu az ano' "a
ment for the dining-room and table, the na'lS a, d
parlors, and only the rich autumn coIors o. 70 70
and russet tan and gold and brown should ,,nn Dc an
lowed to hold high revelry at the great autumn
carnival OF the year ,r.,Lso,y,,u
It Is happy custom now for rnnnTiskas ornnai sames
evening to be filled up with merry. iniormaI satt 4tn
and dsnces jr which old and young may Dotn Jn Jo,nn
with equal propriety. Any Of the games p'a's"