Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1902-11-27
History Of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Day is a peculiarly
American institution. History, it is
true, informs US that the pious peo-
pie of Leyden, Holland, observed a
day of thanksgiving as early as 1875,
to commemorate the first anniversary
of the raising of the siege of that city.
In 1923 a day of fasting and prayer
was appointed on account Of the
drought. Rain came abundantly while
the people were praying, and the gov
ernor appointed day of thanksgiving
which was observed with religious ex-
ercises.
The first recorded Thanksgiving,
appointed by authority in America,
was proclaimed in Massachusetts, bay
in 1881. Owing to the great scarcity
of provisions and consequent menace
ofstarvation, the 22d of February was
designated to be observed as fast
day. Before that date long-ex-
pected vessel arrived from Ireland,
loaded with provisions, and the fast
day was changed into one of thanks
giving.
Benjamin Franklin relates that in
time of great dependency among the
first settlers of New England it was
proposed in one of their public meet
ings to proclaim fast. An aged far
mer rose and spoke of provoking Hea-
ven with their complaints and of the
many mercies they had received and
ofthe causes they had for giving thanks.
He then made motion that instead
of appointing day of fasting, they
should appoint day of thanksgiving.
To this the assembly readily agreed.
Massachusetts, was the first Of the
colonies to appoint an annual thanks
giving by the proclamation Of the Eng
lish governor. During the revolution
Thanksgiving day was a national in
stitution, being annually recommend
ed by congress; but after general
thanksgiving for peace in 1884 there
was no national appointment until
1889, when Washington, by request
of congress. recommended day Of
thanksgiving for the adoption of the
constitution. Washington issued
second proclamation of Thanksgiving
in 1895 on account of the suppression
of finsurrection. President Madison, by
request Of congress, recommended
Thanksgiving for peace in 1915, but
official recommendation Of day for
giving thanks was mainly confined to
New England until the year 1917,
after which day it was regularly ap-
pointed by the governor Of New York.
In 1855 Gov. Jackson, of Virginia,
recommended day of Thanksgiving;
but in 1857 Gov. Wise, when requested
to do so, publicly declined, on the
ground that he was not authorized to
interfere in religious matters Dur
ing the war between the states in 1868
and 1864, President Lincoln issued
proclamstions recommending national
thanksgiving. Since then aproclama-
tion has been issued annually by the
president, as well as by the governors
of the various states and the mayors
of the principal cities. and custom has
fixed the time as the last Thursday in
November. In the early days Thanks
giving was purely religious holiday.
Later on it became the occasion for
annual family reunions and feasts,
preceded by church services. Lstterly
it seems to have been given over TO
the football players, just az Decoration
day has been appropriated by the BIZ
cyclists. Whether attending a foot
ball game is calculated to make men
think soberly and seriously Of the
blessings which have crowned the
year is question which, we are told,
requires individual answer. Advo-
Gates Of the great college game claim
that the innovation is harmless, yet
not even the most enthusiastic among
them venture the assertion that it has
a tendency to make anyone feel grate-
ful for the bounties Providence has
bestowed upon him. There are many
ways Of showing gratitude, but the
old-fasbioned way Of thanking the
Lord in His house seems, after all, TO
be the best and most elevating.