The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-11-23

giving Day,
II was the same battle which ha
been fought and lost in England. Il
the old country days appointed by tn
church for religious thanksgiving 70
particular events were turned by tn,
hoi polloi into days of boisterous re-
velry and license. In New England
| human nature demonstrated It's uni
versal brotherhood, or innate sinful
ness. as old Cotton Mather would have
put Il. and even heavy fines, cart-tai
whippings. and like ignomiuious pu-
hnishments could not exterminate that
spirit which to-day finds expression
in the Thanksgiving football game
During the first century after colo
.nization Of New England thanks
giving meant two long pressing ser
mons with scanty cold meal crowded
Il in between the pious exhortations.
Gluttonous human nature In the flight
OF years has glorified that scanty, un-
pretentions lunch into a feast that for
the vast majority of erring mortais
has crowded the sermons into n dis
appearing background.
The fateful, era-marking events OF
the Revolution gave occasion Tor the
appointment by the Continental Con-
gress Of several significant thanks
giving days.
While much Of the old Puritan zeal
and rigor had been modified by the
passing years, yet the anthropomor-
phic conception Of direct divine inter-
cession in the worlds humblest affairs
was cardinal tenet In the faith Of
majority Of the people. This firm be-
lief found its first expression In the
Continental Congress after the sur
render of Burgoyne at Saratoga. II |
was the great crisis OF the war with |
Arnold's irresistible charge, England
prestige received staggering
blow. The moral effect OF the victory
was even greater than the resulting
strategic advantages. It ,thrilltd with
confidence and hope hearts Of patriots
made weary by defeat and reverses. |
Congress. in recognition OF the mo-
nentuous victory appointed Dec. IS,
I777, as a day of thanksgiving and
praise throughout the colonies, and
he day the first Continental thanks
giving, was universally observed.
In 1878, following the consumma-
ion of the alliance with France. the
iecond great step toward the success
4 the Revolution. Congress appointed
mother day Of thanksgiving, and the
ustom thus established was repeated
'ear after year, eliminating In the re-
oved 10 lu9musUqBlse sq1 lB SuloIof
o Su!uSls 7u1 ~ uIp5p pure s8.r W
he treaty In 1884.
Thanksgiving day became a poll
ical issue in the first national Con-
'ress. A Thanksgiving day was pro-
,osed in observance Of the establish
nent Of the Constitution. The pro-
,osal led to a long fight in both the
House and the Senate The anti
7ederalists accused their opponents
With designs Of making the day sim
,ly celebration Of the victory Of the
Eederalsts at the polls The bitter
PARTISAN feeling Of the campaign was
effected in vituperation that inhamed
he long debates, but opposition was
utile from lack Of votes. The bill was
passed and received the approval Of
who appointed Novem-
,er 2s, 1889, as the first national
thanksgiving day.
The next national thanksgiving dayl
vas February 10, 1892. It was appoin-
ed by President Washington without
he authorization Of Congress, and his
-ction aroused considerable critisml
rom anti-Federalists. In Adams ad-
two national fast days
we're proclaimed, but the pugnaciousl
Sew Englander evidently found little
n the trend Of events during his oc.
upancy Of the Presidency to be thank
ul for, and consequently no national |
thanksgiving days were appointed. n
Twenty-three years passed before
mother national thanksgiving day
vas proclaimed. The varying for
unes Of the war Of 1912 gave occasion
o President Madison to appoint at
'arious times three propitiatory days
II fasting and prayer. When peace
With Great Britain was declared, Ma
lison appointed a national thanks
giving for April 10, 1915. This was
he last Of the national Thanksgiving
lays for many years, although the Gus
ON was rapidly becoming an annual
observance in the various States,
Iorth and South, 1t became establi-
he'd in 1917 in New York, and by 1853
il but six Of the States of the Union
deserved the day.
Two national fast days, however,
we're observed between the close Of
ne war Of 1912 and the civil war
When President Harrison died fast
yas appointed for May IA, 1S41. In
849, when cholera was ravaging the
ountry and devasting the seaports,
resident Taylor proclaimed nation