The record-union., 1898-11-22
HOW PEOPLE GAVE THANKS.
EARLY THANKsGIVINGS IN
THIS STATE.
A Record of the Festivities Since
the First Turkey Dinner
in 1847.

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vember waits for no one. There are
many reasons why Americans should
rejoice, many why Californians should
give praise The President and the
Governor have named Thursday next
as the day.
The coming of the historic day means
a good time for poor and rich alike in
these especially If the poor live
in cities, where there are universally
big feasts for their benefit.
The proper observance of the day,
which was made by the devout Puri-
tans of New England in 1921, means
turkey and a holiday frolic. But the
beginning of this day of thanks was
far different from it's present observ-
ance In the old times it did not mean
festival; it did not mean an extra
bottle of wine or an extra amount Of
food, but it was the signal for earn
est prayer and devout attendance at
church. To-day it needs little COM
ment to recall the fact that Thanksgiv
ing is oftenest a day Of revelry. 1t
means indigestion and good piece
from a luscious birds breast, possibly
followed by a morning of roaring head
ache. Fortunate are they who OBJ
serve moderation.
In view of the approach of Thanks
giving, it is interesting to recall some
of the leading facts regarding its OBJ
servance in California and the nation
in the past.
New England in 1923, but 1t did not be-
come of any great Importance until
Washington made a national proclama-
finn nhco In, 1QN Affpr
that the Presidents paid no attention
to the day, however, for sixty-eight
years. The growth of the Thanksgiv-
ing Day habit beyond New England
was very slow and gradual. In 1917
New York for the first time fell in line
and observed the custom. From
Washington to Lincoln there was no
effort to recognize the day in a ma
tional sense In 1863 Lincoln issued
long proclamation, naming the last
Thursday in November as the national
day of thanks, and that has been the
time observed by the nation and by
every State in the Union ever since
like Pennoyer sets different date, as
he did a few years ago, to attract at
tention-but the last Thursday has been
be this year. The churches, as we'll as
civic organizations, observe the festival,
though it was not until 1885 that the
Catholic Church. took any notice of
Thanksgiving. At that time Cardinal
Gibbons issued circulars setting The
day aside 'for prayers for State and
National Governments, after each
mass"
arfxr 10tscr Of 10 II "a
voted much thought and space to their
Thanksgiving proelamations. and the.
people celebrated even if the Governors
forgot to issue these documents. Some
of the early Governors quote Scripture
quite fully, and seek at some length to
impress upon the masses the great rea-
sons for giving thanks to the Gfver Of
all gifts.
The first California celebration was
by thirty or more New Englanders, who
assembled at the City Hotel in San
Francisco on November s, 1S47 Cap
tain John Patty Of Plymouth, presided,
and Robert Gordon, afterwards prom
inent man in Boston, was one of the
leading lights at the dinner. It is in
teresting to note the sentiments ex-
pressed by editors at this time. In
lAC SdllIoA maui liiSAA tAS SAi1SA PotNH
in San Francisco, an editorial says,
among other things: 1--WE already an
ticipate the time when the United
States jurisdiction will be over this
State. All eyes are turned with af-
fection to the parent Government. We
ask that a properly organized Govern
ment be instituted for California; pro-
lection for the poor emigrants, and the
~, 1,oI,. of n o:1
The greatest event of this year QS47)
was the introduction of steam power on
San Francisco Bay, which was the
cause of great joy on November 10th.
There was no proclamation in 1913,
but November was that year memoir
able as bringing forth the first promise
of a stable civil government. On No
vember 25th Commodore Jones and
Military Governor Mason recommended
that a State government be organized.
In 1S49 the proclamation was by
Governor Riley and it was model of
military brevity. It set November
24th as the day. though the proclama-
ton was issued a month earlier at
Monterey, signed Mason, Bret. Brig.
Gen., u. S. A"
On November 13, 1S49. the Constitu-
ton was ratified, and California began
to feel like a real. State. OF this event
the Alta California" says: There is
much to give thanks for this year. Our
people have had health; there has been
order without law; wealth accumulates
faster than ever known in the history
of the world, and our population has
increased 500 fold, while morally and
politically the people have advanced in
the same ratio"
The first Thanksgiving message un-
der the regular State government was
issued by Governor Burnett, and the
day named was November 30, 1850. It
was a graceful message, and the Both
was fully observed all over the State.
Governor Bigaer's message was very
brief in 1856, and November 10Th was
the day. The next year there was no
proclamation, but the people had half
holiday and celebrated November 18th
just as heartily as if there had been a
dozen messages.
In 1857 there was great rejoicing,
though there was no proclamation In
the Bulletin then edited by Starr
King, occur these words: I'VE are
thankful for the climate of this boun-
tiful land; food and shelter are cheap
for the masses. and we have not the
rigors Of other lands" The papers of
that date say that the yigilantes have
disbanded, though Governor Johnson
took the position that there was a state
of anarchy. He was called "a law
and order crank, by the papers.
In 1853 Governor Weller speaks Of
law and order in the State, and his
message is devoted to congrat ulations
on the improvements that the people