Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-11-24

in the menu.
Thanksgiving day, known nowhere
else than in the United States, as a
national institution, is of decided mod
ern invention. President Lincoln, just
40 years ago, was moved by the great
victories of Gettysburg, Vicksburg,
and other points, these coming thick
and fast after so many previous disas-
ters. to designate day in which the
people Of the entire nation might meet
and render thanks to God. This first
national Thanksgiving day was designed
to be distinctly religious in its character,
and the intent of the president was I'M
derstood and carried out by the people.
The churches of the cities and towns
and villages were filed that day with
fathers and mothers and sisters who
offered grateful prayers to God for the
victories won and for the preservation
Of their loved ones who moved daily
amid scenes of imminent danger.
True, the Thanksgiving day idea
dates back of this. The .-andful OF
Pilgrims in Massachusetts,, in the year
following their landing at Plymouth,
met in their church in obedience to
the governors proclamation to return
thanks for generous harvest. In
termittently thereafter for many years.
and then regularly each year, the day
was commemorated,s spreading through
out the New England states. 1t did
not reach New York state until 1921,
and was regarded indifferently by many
states until Lincoln gave it national
standing.
Washington did make two Thanks
giving proclamations, but only at the
suggestion of the congress. Two sub
sequent presidents fatty declined to is
sue such proclamations, insisting that
the silence of the constitution as to re-
ligion forbade any such exercise of
power by the chief executive.
Hence, it is within reason and right
to say that Thanksgiving day, as ma
tional festival. began in 1863, and was
instituted by President Lincoln.
But by rapid process of evolution
the religious feature, that which gave
rise to the day, has been diminished.
In larger cities but limited number
of churches open their doors for serv-
Ices. while in the smaller ones single
house OF worship will conduct what is
termed union service" for all denom-
nations. Usually there are many va
cant pews in those churches that are
opened.
The day has developed into home"
day, one in which the loved ones meet
with glad hearts, and doubtless thank
full ones, too, and felicitate one an
other that it is as well with them as
1t u.s. Those who live at distance
and those who are travelling upon the
road, turn their faces towards tn,
home roof in advance of the coming
of Thanksgiving day, that they of one
blood may be together on that day
and spend the hours in recalling the
past, SO much of it as is pleasant o.
they engage in joyful songs, or limo
cent pastimes, all filled and thrilled
with the goodness of life.
Whether or not the people are les
religious than formerly does not ente
into this discussion. There are So day
in the year set apart for Sunda
church observance, and the people b
sort of common consent have see
At to spend this. the one day of tn
year. under their own vine and fig
tree, undisturbed by callers, holdin
communion with those who are bone G
their bone and flesh of their flesh.
Surely there can be nothing in con
travention of religion in the home sen
timent. that is SO marked feature G
Thanksgiving day. The home is tn
safety Of the state. 1t is here tina
youth receives its influences for goo
or i'll. 1t is here that men are mad
or unmade Can there be higher tribut
to the beneficent influences Of HON
life and the happiness Of it than tn
modern universal practice in thes'
states of every man and woman, will
their children, making home day
of Thanksgiving? May not the happ!
hearts and glad faces of these HON,
gatherers be pleasanter sight IL
Gods eyes than the spectacle Of lonf
and solemn-faced couples going tt
church to sing solemn psalms. In any
event one may not sacrifice any spiri!
Of gratitude to the good God for Hit