Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-11-30

proclamation in 1880 showed that the
feast had become an annual observ-
ance. In the New York colony the
records show that it was an annual
feature from 1914 to the last year of
Governor Stuyvesant in 1864, and
again under the English governors in
1855 and 1850. The feast was recon-
mended annually by Congress during
the Revolution. but there was an in
termission after that, perhaps due to
the prevalence of deism and skeptcism
until 1889. when President Washington
appointed day of thanksgiving for
the adoption of the federal consttu-
ton. Subsequent to that time various
days in November We're appointed by
governors until in the third year of the
war President Lincoln established the
national observance. Since that time
the governors very generally have ap-
pointed the day set by the president.
which is usually the last Thursday in
November.
The absence of any church festival
about this time makes it very favor
able to the day. The religious regard
for the day used to be very large, but
it has. SO older people say, fallen de-
plorably into disregard. Yet it is best
to look upon the bright side of the
affair and believe that the people are
placing their praise and thanks to God
in substantial manner by giving in
stead of attending church. However,
here in Augusta there will be church
observance. ST. Marks church will
have a service at 1890, while all the
churches will have a union service in
the Congregational church in the eve
ming.
AS a date of the gathering of the
family, Thanksgiving is without doubt
the greatest date on the calendar. On
this day the family from far and near
gather around the hearthstone of the
old home. or around that of some rela-
tive. and eat for this once as they have
not eaten before in the year.
It takes an immense lot of food at one
of these gatherings. In some cases pos
sibly turkeys as large those hanging
out in front of some of the grocery stores
for the past few days might do. One
man said it would require a building to
roast the two birds in and knives as
keen and tough as Damascus steel to cut
them, even after they are baked.
Augusta has many things to be thank
full for. this year. even though she can
not be thankful for the scarlet fever that
is with us, unless it is that the authori-
ties have stopped it in time to prevent
great spread over the city. This is, in
deed, cause enough for thankfulness.
The Journal inquired of many their
ideas of what we are having this year to
be thankful for. The general run of the
replies was good health" One man
said we all ought to feel glad we are liv
ing. and especially certain ones of the
earth's population. Another said that the
Republican victories were enough to be
glad of this year for it meant prosperity
for the country and in this Augusta is in
cluded. Still another man said that the
fact that our country was at peace ought
to be enough. He was reminded that We
are having a quiet hunt after Aguinaldo
and he said that wasn't war but a SOFT
of an occupation for the soldiers to give
them practice.
Everyone admitted he and the city in
general had something that should cause
thankfulness.
What have l to be thankful for?"
asked one busy man who looks at life in
don't know that there is anything in par
ticular. l haven't been favored much
Il hope your health is good suggested
the Journal.
"Oh certainly, but then that comes as
a matter of course
Your friend Blank isn't we'll and
don't doubt that he would like to eX
change places with you instead of being
a cripple
Say, that's SO. l don't know but that
have a cause to be thankful if l come
to think of it. Now you suggest it per
haps l am a little careless about such
things"
Later in the day the Journal had occa-
sion to call around again and that man
was actually sitting back looking into
vacancy. something he had not been seen
to do for weeks. He said he had been
thinking it over and he had decided he
had been too busy to give thought to
what was going on about him, and when
he had looked it was through cake of
ice. He said perhaps after all he had
many cases to be thankful and he would
never have thought of it if the question
hadn't been fired at him. That man will
fatten the purse or tue heart of someone
this year or appearances are deceiving
1t may do good to every Augustan, no
matter where he may be today, to think
for minute of his own position as COM
pared with others and compare with the
past and all his successes-forget the
failures-hs present conditions and sur
roundings. 1t will do no one harm.
Then let everyone eat hearty of the
New England harvest feast of turkey,
and fixn and all the good things that
the housewife can plan, be they old or
new fashioned and let it be one great
day of Thanksgiving all over the city.
Il remember the shower of stars of
years and years ago. said man yes
terday. I'VE were living in a little