The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-04

was to the so-calIed whisky insurrection'
IN western Pennsyivania in 1924. which
Washington called out 5000 troops to sup
press and himself led the troops as far as
Carlisle. Pennsylvania President John
Adams. the second President. issued two
Thanksgiving proclamations. one in 1925 and
enc in 1888. They are long and verbose. In
the first one he named among the causes
for giving thanks "the wonderful progress
of population and many and great favors
conducive to the happiness and prosperity
of nation" The next year he referred
TO "the countless favors which God is still
continuing to the people of the United
States. and which render their condition
as nation eminently happy when COM
pared with the lot of others" He also
recommended that the people ask God ito
make succeed our preparations for defense
and bless our ornaments by land and by
sea-" Adams's proclamations were in the
preaching style and bordered on cant. The
next President, Thomas jefferson, ignored
the custom, and from Adams to Madison,
in 1872, no Thanksgiving proclamation was
issued. Jefferson was something of a
free thinker, and probably regarded the
custom as more honored in the breach
than in the observance. In fact, he is on
record against it. In letter to a clergy
man, written in 1908. while he was still
President, he argued that by the Con-
stitution Of the United States the national
government was forbidden to NEEDLE with
religion or church matters, the appoint
ment of Thanksgiving days rested with
the States $50 far as it can be in any
human authority" He added:
l do not believe 1t is for the interest of
religion to invite the civil magistrate to
direct its exercises. its discipline or its
doctrines, nor of the religious societies
that the general government should be in
vested with the power of effect,ng any uni
formity of time or matter among them.
tasting and prayer are religious exercises;
the enjoining them an act of discipline.
Every religious society has a right TO de-
termine for itself the times for these exer-
cises. and the objects proper for them. ac-
this right can never be safer than in their
own hands, where the Constitution has de-
posted it. l am aware that the practice
OF my predecessors may be quoted. But
/ have ever believed that the example of
State executives led to the assumption of
that authority by the general government,
have discovered that what might be a right
| In State government was a violation of
that right when assumed by another. Re
TINS as IL may every one must act accord
| Ing to the dictates of his own reason, and
| mine tells me that civil powers alone have
| been given to the President of the United
states, and no authority TO direct the re-
| ligfous exercises of his countrymen.
| This ingenious argument is very Jeffer-
sonian. It's fallacy lies in assuming that a
mere recommendation that people render
thanks to the Almighty for blessings re-
ceived is a governmental interference with
| religious exercises or rights.
In 1872 President Madison revived the Gus
tom, and during his two terms he appointed
| four Thanksgiving days, all for causes re-
lating to the war with England The last
one in 1915, was on account of the restora-
| ton of peace and was appointed in compii-
snce with a joint resolution of Congress
After Madison there was not another
Thanksgiving proclamation issued until
that of Abraham Lincoln in April, 1862
| This was very brief. TT has pleased AL
mighty God" said the President, ito
vouchsafe signal victories to the land and
naval forces engaged In suppressing an in
| ternal rebellion and at the same time to
| avert from our country the dangers of for
eign Intervention and invasion" Therefore
the people were recommended in their next
Sunday services ''to especially acknowledge
| and render thanks to our Heavenly Father
for these inestimable blessings" Mr. Lin
coin issued four thanksgiving proclama-
| TONS and each one cited military as we'll
| as civil reasons for gratitude No other
proclamations have equaled his in dignity
| and felicity of expression. Some of them
recall the immortal Gettysburg speech and
are worthy to be placed beside it.
Since Lincolns time the custom has been
regularly observed, each President appoint
| ing day of thanksgiving every year. The
| proclamations have invariably referred to
physical blessings, suchaas good crops, gen.
eral prosperity, immunity from pestience,
etc. One issued by President Cleveland
on Nov. A. 1896, the day after the defeat
OF Mr.. Bryan, said: 1.-The people of the
! United States should never be unmindful
of the gratitude they owe the God of Ma
| tons for His watchful care, which has
shielded them from dire disaster and point
ed out to them the way of peace and hap
piness."
A WRITER AND HIS PUBLISHERS.
1t is pleasant to know that Mr. Maurice
Thompsons new novel. ''Alice of Old Vim