Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-24
Thanksgiving Day.

and characteristic, not one HoIe
worthy the reverence and pride of our
peonle. than the observance of Thanks
giving day. 1t is more than holiday
on the American calendar; it is holy
day made sacred by the prayers o.
those who laid firm and deep the cor
ner stone of our great nation. Well
may we thank God. today, for the
spirit which animated the breasts OF
the Pilgrim fathers when they met al
the close of the harvet to give praise
and thanks, 1t is little matter that
the exact place and date of the first
THANKSGIVING are in doubt. Enough
for us that it was in the earliest days
of New England's settlement, and that
through the generations the beautiful
custom has been perpetuated with its
early spirit and significance UNI
changed.
In accordance with a custom honored
by time the last Thursday in Novem-
Der is now annually set apart by
proclamation of the President as
Thanksgiving day. 1t has not always
been observed in November nor has
there always been a proclamation by
the President before that of the gov
errors, for it's observance by the
colonies and the states is older than it's
observance by the whole country. But
the old New England idea so thorough
lypermeates the land thatit isnow gen.
orally observed in every section of the
land. In New England. however,
where it originated. it still means more
than elsewhere, and here the family
reunions and religious exercises are
the features of the day. 1t has not
shared the fate of Fast day. which.
though sacred and significant in its
origin, is now little more than name.
There has never been a Thanksgiv-
ing day since the first observance of
the holiday when the American people
had not much to be thankful for.
Whenever there have been clouds the
sunshine has been visible through the
riffs, and the rainbow of hope and
promise has arched the sky in every
storm. To the material abundance Of
the harvest fields, in honor of which
the Pilgrims Toasted and thanked God,
has ever been added an abundant
richness of fruitage in the political,
social and intellectual fields. 1t has
ever been true that no nation had so
much to be thankful for as ours in it's
liberty. its prosperity and its hap
piness.
United States, and this Thanksgiving
day has more national significance
than ever before attached to the occa-
sion. 1t has been a year of un-
paralleled prosperity and wonderful
advancement. President Mckinley
rightly declared that few years in our
history have afforded such cause for
Thanksgiving as this. The harvests all
over the land have been rich and full;
our national trade has increased as
never before; our credit has been i'm
proved and made stronger; and the
sections of our common country were
never SO closely knit together. But
more than all this may we be thankful
that the clouds of war have passed
away, and that in the new and bright
er light following their disappearance
fulness and glory and prosperity open
before the American nation. In the
words of the Presidents proclamation:
LAS we were compelled to take up the
sword in the cause of humanity we are
permitted to rejoice, that the conflict
has been of brief duration, and the
losses we have had to mourn, though
grievous and important, have been sc
few, considering the great results ac-
complished, as to inspire us with graft
tude and praise to the Lord of Hosts
We may laud and magnify His holy
name that the cessa ton of hOstilitie:
came so soon as to spare both side!
| the countless sorrows and disaster:
that attend protracted war"
| Such is Thanksgiving day and sucl
! it's special meaning in this year o
grace. May it be observed in tn
humble and grateful spirit of tn
fathers, both in the public places AM
in the million homes where the wan
dering ones throng back to the oil
fireside. In no state have the peopl
more cause to observe this day thai
the enterprising and prosperous son
and daughters of happy old Maine
Truly, 1.-The hand of God has been upol
us for good" Let us remember tina
the best way to express our ow
ankfulness for the good things O
life, is to give those less fortunate n
opportunity to be likewise grateful.
1t is expected that the great Siberia
railroad will be completed in tw