New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1905-11-25


especially for the fruits of the earth,
have been customary in all ages of
the world and in connection with
every form of religion, Thanksgiving
day as an annual harvest home and
family reunion under Christian aus
pices is a purely American institu-
ton and, outside of New England, is
of comparatively recent origin.
AS a national holiday it began in
the head and heart of Abraham Lin
coin, who proclaimed Nov. &c, 1863.
as thanksgiving day for the stimuli
taneous victories Of Gettysburg and
Vicksburg on July 4 and for the
abundant harvests of that year, and
Nov. "a, 1864, as a thanksgiving day
for similar blessings.
There had been other days set
apart for thanksgiving during the
war, but these were the first of the
unbroken series in the month of No
vember. President Johnson con-
tinued the custom out of respect for
Mr.. Lincoln, and it has been instinc-
lively recognized by every president
since. In several states the COVER
nors also make coincident proclama-
tons.
Though at present mostly a hal
lowed memory, Thanksgiving day,
when it was in it's prime, was one
of the noblest and most delightful
things in American civilization. Time
was when ON this day all the churches
were thronged with cheerful and de-
vout worshipers, and the ministers,
speaking from bowers of corntops
and sheaves of wheat and pyramids
of pumpkins and red apples, moved
every heart by their tribute to the
divine goodness.
From the religious temples the peo-
pie turned to the family affairs.
where the fires of filial devotion
burned just as briskly. The men,
bers of the household assembled,
some of them from remote localities,
to look into the changed counte-
nances of 'the old people" perhaps
for the last time, sat down to a roy
al feast of good things, the greatest
feast of all being the revived and
Overlooking family affections and the
inextinguishable attachment to the
family hearthstone. That was Amer
lean civilization in it's flower and fruit
age.
AS long as our people are home
loving people, as long as filial and
fraternal love are afiame and as long
as we will cross mountains and trav-
erse continents to gather once more
at the old family homestead, to drop
tear for the departed and to receive
the embrace Of those who survive, our
institutions are safe.
Those who have reached middle life
can not but regret the partial de-
cadence of Thanksgiving day within
their own recollection. In our day it
is little more than secular holiday
devoted to athletic sports. The Sec
ular holiday and the athletic sports
are, of course, good things in them
selves, but it is not pleasant to see
them take the place of an admirable
and invaluable social custom.
There is every year by custom and
by proclamation of president and
governors day of Thanksgiving. Up
on this day the American nation Of
fers to the throne of Divine Grace its
prayerful thanks and sings peans of
praise for the many bounties and
blessings that have been bestowed
upon our people. True, in this great
world there may be some who are I'M
able to look back and point with pride
and thankfulness y many acts and
things connected with their lives, but
goodness always exfeees the bad and
the world is constantly growing bet
ter and brighter. Opportunities are