Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1899-11-29
THANKSGIVING.
IT'S Observance Grew Out Of Times
of Great Peril


It's Observance Grew Out Of Times
Of Great Peril.
With this season of mists and mel.
low fruitlessness comes our Thanksgiv
ing Day and the festival Of the family
History tells us that this annual cele-
bration of the fireside joys grew out OF
n moment of great peril and marked
deliverance therefrom. This new con-
tinent gave our pilgrim fathers but cold
welcome, for the Mayfiower entered
Plymouth harbor midst a driving snow
storm Wading ashore through treach-
erous surf men cleared away the drifts
and erected rude log cabins.
But exposure told heavily upon the
pioneers, already exhausted by voy-
age long and tempestuous. Six of the
heroes died during December, eight In
January. seventeen In February, thir-
teen in March, and when the last snow
fell 1t lay like soft. white blanket
upon the graves OF half the immortal
company. II the first summer was pro-
pitious, the second refused rain, while
autumn sent an early frost. When the
harvest had failed in the field the game
departed from the forests. What was
worse. the Indians now became I'M
friendly.
Because winter and starvation threat
ened the remnant of the intrepid band.
Gov. Bradford appointed day OF fast
ing and prayer. But ere the appointed
day arrived the colonists Weakened one
morning to find that during the night
a good ship from home had dropped
anchor in the harbor, bringing letters,
food and medicine for the sick, seeds
and roots for new s0wing-bringing
also old friends and new colonists.
Never was deliverance more dramatic.
So the day appointed for fasting was
changed to day of feasting and
thanksgiving.
Since that first far-off event 379
autumns have passed over our favored
land. Other Thanksgivings, perhaps,
have been unique by reason Of national
peril and striking deliverances there
from. But perhaps no other one sum-
mer has included dangers so many and
so great, or deliverance and gifts so
striking. For filling storehouses and
barns the sun has been kindly, the
clouds propitious and the soil full OF
divine ardor. Each month of advanc-
ing summer has lent new wealth to
meadow and pasture, vineyard and or
chard.
Surprised with unexpected treasures.
even now the thrashers surround the
fat wheat stacks and must borrow
from winter some days in which to
beat out their unwonted harvests. In
the great states where corn Is raised
already the bins and barns are filled,
vet many yellow shocks still wait the
coming of the huskers. Vineyards and
orchards have not been less fruitful.
How rich the crisp apples, pears and
pears and peaches. Sweet juices have
filed grape clusters to the point of
bursting. Autumn has also pumped
the nuts with their ripe kernels. How
ruddy the wholesome roots and veg
etables.
During some years the poor have
dreaded the long wiDter-this year
there is abundance for all. But I'M
counted wealth, through harvest and
mines. through herds and fiocks, rep
resent the least of our national bless
ings. During this year the scope of
liberty has been enlarged, the influence
of the republic extended, while the
whole world has been made to ponder
the message of free institutions. If af-
ter 80 years of peace our flag has been
unfurled for war, that war has been In
the sacred name of humanity and lib
ertv