Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-11-24
Thanksgiving Day.

their descendants with the manner and
spirit Of it's observance but little
changed by the passing years. Belong
ing now to the whole nation. yet
nowhere so precious to the heart as in
Now England. and where the sons and
daughters OF New England are found.
Thanksgiving day ills place which
mn other holiday upon our calendar can
occupy. 1t is the real Old-Home day Of
the year, and. today. around thousands
and thousands Of fresides will be the
family gatherings which have been
looked forward to by old and young
with such pleasant anticipations. and
which will be remembered SO fondly
through the coming year.
The observance of the day by gather
ings in public places Of worship is less
followed out than in the old times. but
otherwise this institution. SO hallowed
with the associations of many gener-
ati,ns. 50 rich in precious traditions.
and so peculiarly American in its MIS-
torv remains the same holiday which
,,r fathers and granGfathers knew.
Some trace the origin of the day to
that little gathering ot the Popham
,.o,onists upon the island of McnheSan
off the Maine coast. in 1907. but as
much as Maine likes 10 claim all the
good things of history, it is hardly FAIR
tn trace our Thanksgiving to that as
semblase Of worshipars who thanked
God for the safe arriva. Of their ship
and for other blessings. 1t was at
Plymouth, rather, after the sturdy
colonis,s mad reaped thei, first harvest,
that the FIRST real Thanksgiving day
was celebrated. and from that day UNI
til this it has been an American hoii-
day almost always observed late in the
autumn. and in these modern times al
ways falling upon the last Thursday in
November.
But whatever the origin and original
purpose Of the day. and whatever its
history has been through the centuries
since the Pilgrims thanked God for the
bountifulness of their first harvest. it
is certain that in this year of grace.
we. as nation and as individuals
have much to be thankful for. and
many reasons to stop in our work for
a day and lift up our hearts in graft
tude for the blessings vouchsafed US
And that we may realize more fully
some of the reasons why the Amert an
people should celebrate this Thanks
giving day, let us read again the Presi-
dents proclamation which was pub
liShcd about three weeks ago and which
follows III full.
BY the President of the United States
Of America.
4 PROCLAMATION.
1t has pleased Almighty God to bring
honor through another year and. in
accordance with the long unbroken
custom handed down 20 us by our fore
fathers. the time has come when Il
special day shall be set apart in which
to thank Him who holds all nations in
the hollow Of His hand for the mercie>
thus yOuchsafed 20 us. During tn"
century and quarter Of our national
life we as people nave been blessed
beyond all others and COR this we owe
humble and heartfelt thanks to the
author Of all blessings.
The year that has closed has been
ore Of peace within our own borders as
we'll as between us and all other
nations The harvests have been
abundant and those who work. whether
with hand or brain. are prospecting
greatly. Reward has waited upon hon.
est effort. We have been enabled to
do our duty to ourselves and others
Never has there been time when re-
iigiOus and CHART liable effort has been
more evident. Much has been given to
us and much will be expected from us
We speak Of what has been done by
this nation in no spirit of boastfulness
or vain Slorr but with full and rever-
ent renliza ton that our strength is as
nothing unless We are helped from
above. Hitherto we have been giver
the heart and strength to do the tasks
allotted to us as they severally arose
We are thankful for all that has beer
done for us in the past and we pray
that in the future we may be strength.
ened in the unendiny struggles to DE-
our duty fearlessly and honestly witt
charity and good will with respect 70,
ourselves and love to our fellOHmen.
In this great republic the efforts 4
combine national strength with per.
soma! freedom is being tried on a seal.
more gigantic than ever before in tn.
worlds history. Our success will NEAR
much not only for ourselves but for tn,
future Of all mankind: and every mar
or woman i'm our .an1 should feel tn,
grave responsibility resting upon hin
or hcr. for In the last analysis this sue
cess must depend upon the high aver
age Of our individual citizenship upol
the way in which each of US does hi
DUR by himself and mis- neighbor.
! Now. therefore. I. Theodore Roose
welt. President of the United States, Il.
hereby appoint and set apart Thurs
day,thc oath Of this November to b.
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