Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-11-25

I
cised our arms, many of the Indians
coming amongst us, and 'among the
rest their greatest king, MassasOit,
with some ninety men. whom for three
DAYS we entertained and feasted, and
they (the Indians) went out and killed
FIVE deer, which they brought to the
plantation and bestowed on our Gov
ernor and upon the Captain, Miles
Standish, and others. And although
it be not always so plentiful as 1t was
at this time with US, yet by the good
ness of God, We are so far from want,
that We often wish you partakers of
our plenty"
There are many suggestive features
in this first Thanksgiving. 1t seems
to have lasted not one day, but week.
1t was a period of joyousness-un-
doubtedly there were special services
and sermons--but it was pre-emnently
season-of relaxation and recreation.
Indeed, there is a distinct hint that at
this time the staid and sober fathers
imbibed freely of what the Indians
called comfortable warm water, but
which the initiated term Holland
gin. The store of wild turkeys fur
nished the feasts with central dish,
a feature since maintained, and our
country with a national bird. Other
accounts of these early Thanksgiving
lay great stress on chicken pie and
pumpkin pie as valued and seasonable
dainties.
Thus started, Thanksgiving Day
early developed into the great New
England holiday. 1t was celebrated
irregularly down to l760, after which
it was annually ordered by the Gen
eral Court, not always in November,
but generally after harvests were gath
cred. During the war for independ-
ence eight public and general Thanks
givings were ordered by the Contl-
mental Congress. When this country
was firmly settled upon its new course,
Thanksgiving Day, uniform neither
in time nor in service, had become
rooted in the social life of the North
ern and Middle colonies. The first
national Thanksgiving was ordered by
Congress and proclaimed by President
Washington in 1889, and the time
then designated, the last Thursday IN
November probably fixed the date for
all ages. 1t is interesting to note that
the resolution in Congress which cites
as special blessing the establishment
Of the government under the new con.
stitution was fercely attacked by some
on the ground that ii would be better
to try the constitution a little longer
before thanking the Almighty for 1t.
After that time regular Thanks
giving Day was generally set apart by
the Governor of each State. Not un-
til 1853 did the custom become popu-
lar in the Southern States, where
Christmas continued to be the leading
holiday. But it always maintained
its hold on New England as day
for spiritual uplifting, family reunion
and general jolli6cation. 1t has been
estimated that in 1858 10000 New
Englanders living in New York city
returned to their Eastern homes to
celebrate the day in the family home
steads. The conflict and triumphs OF
the civil war led to the final adoption
of Thanksgiving Day as a general holl-
day throughout the entire extent OF
the land. Moved especially by the
victories of Gettysburg and Vickpburg,
Lincon fixed on the last Thursday in
November, 1868, as a day of national
thanksgiving. For thirty-three years
since that time has each succeeding
President done the same, until today
we stand on the eve Of another cele-
bration, when, in addition to the
mirth and jollity borrowed from the
Puritans, from Maine to Texas and
from ocean to ocean paeans OF praise
and fervent Thanksgiving viii arise to
Almighty God for His permanent, un-
ceasing care over a prosperous and
united people.