The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-11-27
Social and
Personal.

G..ss - q
The difference between the observance
Of sThanksg.ying in different sections o.
the United States has been the suoJe N.
of much discussion. Its origin DIS ~
American national institution mas. Us q
rule been ascribed to NeM . tter,,nss
Where much sentiment ana = len ~. ~, -
OF association has rendered the Gay oliH
OF family reunion and reJoieiii5 -
as one of religious observance:
81 In point of fact the celebration 5oNei
the fruits of the earth goes bach 70 y -
tive times, when men pulioe. u5 w. ttes
tars and offered their sacflllce - .,, 81.
Lord who granted them me- ,,sr,,itttI
to the !atter-day Feast OF ]Iaberhacies
or ngathering at the end Of the, ssa.,,ss
The Ceres of the Greeks enbodleu Ill
other conception of a beneflcent power
controlling harvests and reWaIu'iis ~,
boris. In different semi iance me
idea found expression IN -! ,.as.
and succeeding peoples. and the nal 49,.
home songs and ceremonies have n t,,a
expressed in many beautiful ana poelie
forms. voicing the uplifting OF NJ . ilidi ~
ity's heart in gratitude and adoration y
nearly all quarters of the giope.
The first proclamation or ~. an. e. $50.
Thanksgiving Day in the United sta1es
was made bv the General Assembly IN
Virginia to commemorate the partial De
liverance of the Virginia colonlsts,ln . es.e
great Indian massacre March %, 1867
Occasional observances OF the Gay .,
varying periods of the year, are ~, 800. 90
in New England from 1b2l % loa'- ~. ~,
when the evidences so 10 snow ..l li' : 80
custom had become an annuai. one, WIN nm
the time of Ire recurrence fixed for late
autumn or early winter.
During the Revolution hankSslFlHs
was annually recommended by congress
but after 1854 therewas no procia md tioiis
until 17S9 when it sigraiized the adpotlon2
Of the Constitution. From that PERIOD
great national events were celebrated by
Thanksgivings but the annual procia
nation was mainly restricted to New
England. The PRAYER book of the Epis-
copal Church. ratified in lts9 recon- 3s
mends for Thanksgiving the first Thurs
day in November. unless another Gay
should be announced by the civil au-
thorities. The annual recommendation
of Thanksgiving in the State Of New CIV
York dates from the Year ISL In 1873
the Governors of eight Southern Stale
made a Thanksgiving praclana ton, put
during the Civil War the day was con-
.verted into a time of#fasti,s and PRAYER 3
President Lincoln recommended special
Thanksgiving for victories in 1852 and
1865. His last proclamation was folloWed
bv an ms annual announcement made
through the Presidents who have sue
ceeded him, and custom has finally de-
terniined It he date of Thanksgiving as
the last Thursday in November.
For many years after the civil war
Day was kept in the
South only by the servicein the churches.
OF late years Richmond has become the
meeting ground fer the rivafs football
teams for the Universities of Virginia
$50 >-artb f'a~oiina for. in the -
century football has become az thor
oughfv identified with Thanksgiving as
has the chrysanthenunl. Felix Carmen
Voices the5feelng which Sreets the day.
when he sings:
OF mingled gala and honey.
For rnaidenS. melody and n1irth.
Md. most of all for money
This is the day wt7en thanks are due
And Should be paid with Measure
White toofhsanle turkey Yields for You
4 gastronnmic treasure.