New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-25
A REAL PURITAN FEAST.
PEACE THE TRUE ATMOSPHERIC OF
THANKSGIVING TIME.

THE FESTIVAL CELEBRATED IN MANY CIIMEs
UPON THE GATHERING or EARvEsTs
While the first Thanksgiving proclamation that is
known TO have been issued in printed form bears
the date o. l757 neither the colonists the
abor!rincs OF the Western Continent had failed in
previous years to offer praise and thanks In the
autumn year for the benefits received with
the garAcred nafvcsts. The promise Of future good
which springtme offers imbues all life with joyous
expecta ion. bu. the completed and crowned effort
,hat Is found in maiurer months brings a sense Of
peace that the brighter season does not know.
Perhaps for this reason the adopted festival OF
Thanksgiving appeals more especially TO those ex-
perenced in life than 10 the ever springng hope OF
youthful hearts. Among savaees OF every land the
DAYS OF the falling leaf are consecrated 10 feass OF
rejoicing and rendering OF tithes and thanks. The
Massachusetts Indians in the habit Of holding
reunions this order. and doubtless were not sur
prised when the whites instituted the Thanksgiving
custom Upon Governor Bradford's inviting King
Massasoit join IN the first Thanksgiving dinner the
coonsts gave that potentae came TO the feast his
tory declares. "Oiled turn. in his red cloak and
best paint and with him came seventy warriors In
feathers and fine skins, decorated with quilts and
wampum" Whether or not the Puriians had
learned or wished 10 learn 20 smoke the pipe OF
peace" that ceremony seems 10 have been an In
separable part OF Indian functions. and was prob
ably practised by the red men as they gathered
about the white mems table. The sentiment OF
peace has been infused into subsequent gath
erlng for Thanksgiving purposes. Peace seems the
watchWord OF the season. not because OF the tline
Of year but because OF the completion OF outy
and service rendered to by the kindly earth
and accepted by him with grateful thanks and an
appreciation OF his own earnest enort 10 aid IN us
fulflment.
In other climes where the dying year passes away
amid the flowers and baimy airs Of spring oright
reign Thanksgiving feasts are held In what 10 US
IS the season Of renewing life.
Harvests arc gathered at the proper time or thelr
fruition which, for the antpodes, comes during ths
early months OF the year Thus II IL found
throughout the world that with the ever-changing
seasons there are always somewhere az OPPOSITE
the day 10 reap the day to rejoice In putting forth
and the day TO be thankful and at peace because
endeavOr has been crowned with success. 49,,
Could the Puritans have foreseen the tremendous
changes 1870 years would have made In the bowling
wilderness that for the most part covered ths vast
continent at the time OF that nrst iestWei' nov
tude expectation and responsibility! While they
are held IN honored reemembrance. how many OF
their descendants would as they uia, iace per 81
eoral peril and certain discomfort TO be present az
and ma rticipata in a service OF thanks? The way
has beCn sInoothed for this age, 40 that. great as
are the exertons made In muutualn0uS we s 1ef
efforts From luxurious fresides many a tribute
will be paid to-day to the Puritan examples ana
ever the needy and desolate are though' OF anu
The many Thanksgiving dinners given to-day for
"cbarity's sake" combined with the THOUSANDS or
relInted household bands Will make this November
% again resound with the song ana apsnter 20
ing when he cries he brings the fat O. the land!
THANKSGIVING.
I'm laden friends with the fat O. the land:
come with JOY and gee
TO reunte each household band
Which comes 10 feast with me.
Ard tho old home rcSOunds once more
70 the song and laughter they loved OF yore.