New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-08
A NATIONAL HOLIDAY AGAIN
ONE THAT CORRESPONDS WITH THD
ANCIENT HARVEST HOME FESTIVAL.
NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE sERE AND
YELLOW LEAF BUT WITH THE BRILL
FANCY AND BEAUTY OF THD
NATURE LIFE THE
AGING NEAP

AGING vEAP
Thanksgiving Day is the holiday that is nearest
to Christmas in the saeredness and beauty Of its
meaning The earth is rich with the splendor and
fitness OF the years harvest rpened by the sun
shine and tender warmth OF golden summer. The
heart OF lifts itself 10 God In gratitude for
the years bounty. and the family circles gather
together and send up worldwide symphony OF
love and thankfulness and faith.
The ancient Harvest Home festival corresponds
in its religious aspect. with our National Thanks
giving which I'm all probability has been derived
from that OF ''Old England" or course It was
Invested OF all such popular customs and ceremonies
al may have seemed to our Puritanical forefathers
Of the New England States either OF heather or
Poplsh origin. for those sus,ere progenitors were
rigid and lntolerant OF all surface professions ana
observances. and would have nothing that did not
contain a deep significance derived from principle
and truth.
Among our forefathers st. Rocks Day august 80
was generally celebrated as the Harvest Home, but
now the festival Is observed different days and
later in the season. Perhaps the late rpening Of
the Indian I'm this country accounts for the
stil later celebration OF the Harvest Home, or
Thanksgiving. which is now observed during the
latter part OF November. IL was said to be sug-
gested by the Hebrew Feast OF Tabernaces Be that
as ii may. in June 1852, Governor Winthrop OF
Massa chusetts Bay Colony recommended day OF
Thanksgiving on account OF the action OF the British
Prvy Council in favor OF the American Colonies
outh Colony to unite with him and his grateful
people. Thanksgiving was celebrated IN New-Ens.
land from the first settlement by the Pilgrims. and
Is thought to have originated In 1921 when Cow
Bradford OF the Plymouth Colony appointed
a day for public praise and prayer after the first
harvest.
During the War OF the Revolution the practice
OF celebrating the day introduced into several
OF the Middle States and since then II has extended
West-and has become National institution since
1863.
The day is usually the fourth Thursday In No:
vember and H. designated by proclamation signed
by the Governor OF each State or the President
OF the United States. Ii is a legal holiday. and In
1889 the Episcopal Church formally recognized the
authority OF the Government TO appoint a date for
such an occasion In 1858 the Roman Catholic
Church sanctioned the festival by deciding TO OBJ
H.
During the Revolution days 10 be set aside for
gress. and after the adoption OF the Constitution
George Washington appointed a day In lls9 In 1888
a day was proclaimed 'for the general benefit and
welfare OF the Nation" New-York has observed
Thanksgiving Day every year since 1871 and at the
present time the custom Is almost universal
throughout the country In 1863 President Lincoln
Issued procla nation for the observance OF the
custom, and each President has followed his ex.
ample.
The last Thursday in November is the day espe-
cially dedicated this sweet home therlng and
! from far and the children and grandchildren
/ who have flown far from the old home nest JOY
| ously wing their flight back for day or week,
/ They renew early associations. and find rest ant
| relief and happiness In leaving the "maddInS
crowd and slipping back again into the rosy mem
| cries OF chidhoods happy days.