Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-29

most of them had been converted into hos
pitfalls, so that but few congregations at
tended services.
The regular Thanksgiving in November,
1861 was observed, the great feature of the
day being the dinners given in the hospitals
and camps. The city was quite orderly
during the day, but some drunken brawls
took place at night.
In April following. 1862 Mr.. Lincoln is
sued a proclamation asking the people, in
view of the signal victories of the Union
arms, to give thanks to God for the same
at the next weekly meetings in their places
of worship.
The general thanksgiving in November,
1862, was generally observed in camp, hos
pital, church and home, special dinners
being provided in the hospitals and in many
of the camps, Visitors attended many and
assisted in contributing to the enjoyment
in some instances members of the theatre
cal profession being present.
In March, 1863, the Both of April was des-
ignated for humiliation, fasting and prayer
for the blessing and favor Of God. Mr..
Lincoln in his proclamation recognized that
people were subject to punishment and
that nations. though they had grown in
wealth and power, seemed to have forgot
ten God" In August following Thursday.
9th, thanks were given In response to Mr..
Lincolns call issued on the receipt of news
of Union victories a month prior. The regu-
lar Thanksgiving was observed the last
Thursday in November. as requested by
Mr.. Lincoln in his proclamation of October
1862
Many Occasions in 1854.
There were number of thanksgiving
and fast occasions the following year, 1864.
March 80 Mr.. Lincoln designated the last
Of April as a day Of fasting and prayer for
the nation. few days after. May .. in a
brief note Mr.. Lincoln asked. in view of
recent victories that the people engage in
tn cd In r.y;&I
resolution of Congress. Mr.. Lincoln July
I, set apart the first Thursday in August as
day Of fasting and prayer for the sup
preston of the rebellion. He also fixed upon
the last Thursday in October, as national
thanksgiving day for guarding the nation
against unfrlendly designs of enemies and
victories over them.
These extra feasts did not prevent the
regular observance of the now usual
Thanksgiving day. but the enjoyment of
the latter was somewhat modified by the
recollectons of the fast days and the I'M
certainty as to whether the future would
call for fast or a feast In this respect
the war times We're similar to the period of
the war Of 1912.
In Mr.. Lincoin's administration the spe-
cial thanksgivings and days of humiliation
were about equal and. with the regular
thanksgfvings, he issued over a dozen proc
lamations.
President Lincoln for the usual day of
thanksgiving and prayer in November,
1867 made the formal proclamation. and
regularly since have such proclamations
appeared: With the return of peace there
We're revived the ante bellum customs and
as the sentiment has taken hold of the
people the day has become more than a
mere local holiday, and was raised by the
act of Congress of June %, 1870, to the
dignity of legal holiday-that act recog-
ntzing as such New Year day. July 4,
Christmas and any day appointed or rec
commended by the President for public fast
or thanksgiving
As before stated, the day was observed
in November, but Mr.. Johnson selected the
first Thursday in December, 1865. and rec
ognfzed the existence of peace, unity and
harmony in the nation His last procla-
nation, in 1868, in naming November 20
as the day, expresses satisfaction that the
long protracted political and sectional con-
d1tlons are to give way to harmony and
fraternal affection"
Old Customs Survive.
Many of the old customs survive-the
services in the churches the family gather
ings at the turkey and pie laden tables
but as game has grown scarcer there is
less hunting hereabouts, and to some ex-
tent 1t has become in this section a day for
excursion and sport.