Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-11-27
Something About the Origin of the Day
Cessation of Business, and Re
ligious Service.

There are holluayS anu holluays'
Christmas and New Years are Cosmo-
politan-are the property of no par
ticular people, but yet are joyously
observed by many. But thanksgiv-
ing is purely an American holiday,
original in conception and growing
from a small beginning until it has
reached the dignity of a national
event. Its first celebration was by the
Plymouth colony in 162l-those
sturdy pioneers whose piety was as
pronounced as their pluck, who hon
ored themselves by honoring their
Deity. The custom soon became
more general, spreading over all the
New England states. After the revo-
luton it gradually extended to the
middle states and later to the west,
growing more slowly in the south
In 1868 the patriotic Lincoln forever
established it in the list of holidays
by proclaiming day of Thanksgiv-
ing, his action being promptly follow.
ed by the individual proclamations Of
the governors of the states, who nam
ed the same day. Since then, by
consent, the first announcement Of
the day is found in the presidents
proclamation, and the day so named
is also named by the states.
In many ways, says the American
Agriculturalist, Thanksgiving is one
of our most delightful events. 1t
comes at a time when the rigors of
winter are not yet at hand, We have
at our disposal all tie varied products
of the soil, and the time for season
of partial rest for the farmer is at
hand. One of its most delightful
features, which has become quite gen
erous, is the gathering together under
the old rooftree of all the scattered
sons and daughters on this day. Two,
three and sometimes four generations
thus meet around the festive and
hospitable table of the old homestead,
and thus fraternal ties are strength
ened and filial piety encouraged.
Another no less commenddble fea-
ture in this holiday is practical be-
nevolence which has become very nc
table. Poor people, to whom a good
dinner is rarity, are hunted out, and
in REPRESENTATIONS way are helped tC
properly observe the day, SO far as
its festive features are concerned
The sick and the suffering are re-
membered in various ways. The
homeless are, for that day, made mem,
bers of some hospitable household
where they can join in its pleasures,
Altogether, this 10 perhaps its best
feature. There is no pleasure 30 last
ing, none which affords such real Joy,
as that which comes to US from the
knowledge that we have done real
kindness to some of the suffering
children of earth-in some way al
leviated their sorrow or eased their
pains.
Last, but not least, the devotional
spirit which is the empelling motive
of the day, is encouraged and de-
voloped, we learn to be more con-
tented with our lot, thankful for
what we have, and hopeful for the
future.
The day was observed in Hopkins
vile, by union Thanksgiving SER
vice at the Tabernacle, an appropriate
sermon being preached by Rev. II. D.
Smith of tn. Christian church, to a
large crowd. A separate service was
also held at the Episcopal church, by
Rev. r. S. Carter, the rector.
All of the schools adjourned for the
day and the public schools will not
reconvene until Monday.
The banks did no business and
many of the business houses closed
for a part of the day.
The Kentuckian force worked as
usual to issue this paper, being thank
full that they were able to work,
Holidays rarely ever occur in a news
paper Office. 1t is all work and no
,lnr ND ,1raoiO,Ss 1;tRla NON