Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-28

thanksgiving day originating in this coun--
try with the Puritans upon the rock-ribbed
coast Of New England In the earliest days
Of the colonization will be celebrated to-
morrow by the grateful people of the Dis
trict of Columbia in common with those of
the country and the colonies belonging
thereto. In Places there may be some
changes in the fads of fashions realm, but
the great day Of thanks to the Ruler of
the Universe for His many mercies and
XII dnesses throughout the past year will re-
tain its New England fervor and quaint
ness.
, Like Christmas. Thanksgiving day propa-
gates a spirit Of charity. and tomorrow good
cheer will be carried to many humble
homes. Throughout the capital city hum
dreds of poor persons will be made happy
by the bountiful baskets of food which will
be given them by the churches, missions
and charitable organizations.
Although 1t is an unwritten law that the
President of the United States shall each
year set aside day of general thanksgv-
ing, it has been thought by many people
that no laws relative to the subject have
ever been passed in this country. This Is
probably true with the exception OF the
stern Pilgrims of Plymouth Rock. For the
first two years after their landing they
celebrated the day after a formal appoint
ment by Governor Bradford. Then the
elders Of the colony adopted law that 1t
be the power of the governor and his as
sistants to command solemn dates Of hui
milicion." In 1850 the general court Of
Massachusetts, set apart the 10Th day Of Sep
TENDER for Thanksgiving. Later it became
gradually settled that the month most suit
able for general Thanksgiving was Novem-
Der, and Thursday was appointed for mat
purpose. Thanksgiving thus became fixed
in the New England colonies as the annual
occasion about the year 100.
During the Revolution.
During the revolutionary war the CONT
mental Congress upon more than one occa-
sion recommended the general giving Of
thanks. The first had a particular asso-
citation with Philadelphia. The British had
moved toward that city after the battle
of the Brandywine and Congress had fled
to Lancaster; afterward. when the disas-
trous news from Germantown was received.
they proceeded to York. 1t remained there
for nine months. during a part OF which
time Washington and his army were
drinking the bitter cup of misery at VAL
ley Forge. Then came the joyous news of
the French alliance and Of the surrender
of BurgOyne. At this time Henry Laurens
of South Carolina was president of the
Congress, the Office In the federation of
states which correspondent most nearly
with that of the President OF the United
States as afterward instituted. The first
committee appointed by President Laurens
to draw up a proclamation of Thanksgiv-
ing was composed of Richard Henry Lee
of Virginia. Samuel Adams Of Massachu-
sets and Gen. Roberdeau Of Philadelphia
Richard Henry Lee wrote the prociama-
ton. 1t was adopted by Congress and is
sued by President Laurens as the execu-
tive head of the government, and trans
mitted by him with a letter to all of the
governors of the thirteen original states.
The text of this proclamation in part is as
follows: For inasmuch as it is the inds-
pensable duty of all men to adore the Su-
perintending Providence of Almighty God.
to acknowledge with gratitude for benefits
| received. and to implore such further. bless
ings as they stand in need of: and. 1t hav-
ing pleased Him in His abundant mercy
not only to continue to use the many bless
ings Of His Common Providence, but also
to smAe upon US in the prosecution OF q
just and necessary war for the defense and
establishment OF our rights and liberties;
particularly that He has been pleased in so
great a measure to prosper the means used
our arms with signal success: 1t u.s. there
| fore. recommended to the legislatures or
executive powers OF these United States to
set apart Thursday. the 18th Of December,
next. for solemn Thanksgiving and praise.
THAT with one heart and one voice the
people of this country may express their
| grateful reverence and consecrate them
selves to the service Of their Divine Bene-
| factor. and together with their sincere ac-
Acknowledgements they may join in q peni-
| tent confession of their manifold sins,
| whereby they have forfeited every favor,
and their humble supplication may be that
ii may please God. through the merits Of
Jesus Christ. mercifully to forgive and blot
| them out of remembrance: that 1t may
please him graciously to shower His bless
| ings upon these states respectively and to
prosper the public council OF the whole
United States; to inspire our commanders
| both by land and sea and all under them
with that wisdom and fortitude which may
| render them ut instruments under the
Providence Of Almighty GOD to secure for
these United States the greatest OF all
blessings, Independence and peace" At the
close Of the proclamation it Is recon-
| mended that all servile labor and such
recreation as, at other times innocent, may
be unbecomfng the purpose of the appoint
ment on 50 solemn occasion, be suspended.
Thus from the colonial days to the present
time the american people have ever paid
i grateful tribute to the Most High for Hin
manifold goodness to them.
| In the Churches
In the local churches and missions to-
] morrow grateful thanks viii be given. In