Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1906-11-30
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This festival is of Puritan origin,
though the custom of giving thanks for
favors Of the field and stall has prevailed
as far back as written records go; with
the Greeks and even the Egyptians in
their feasts to Demeter and Iris, with the
Romans in their Cerealia, and with the
Jews in their Feast of Tabernacles Com
ing down to more modern times, we read
OF public thanksgiving in Germany, Hol-
land, and in England, the recollection OF
whose Harvest Home" perhaps, inspired
the Puritans to inaugurate the custom.
Though pious and devout, our New
England ancestors were yet rigid non-con-
formists, hence their rejection OF Christ
mas as relic of popery; yet the yearn-
ing of the heart for a religious and family
festival had to be satisfied, and so they
instituted Thanksgiving Day, which they
appointed after the gathering in OF the
harvest, when, the main work OF the year
being accomplished, families sundered
might assemble in the homes of their eld-
ers and give themselves up to short sea
sen Of solemnity and mirth.
The first Thanksgiving. according to the
well-credited chronicler, Edward Winslow,
was held in 1921, ten months after the
landing Of the Pilgrims, when, the crops
being garnered, they felt spring up with
ia their hearts feeling of praise and
Thanksgiving. 1t lasted almost a week,
and was participated in by King Massa-
soft and ninety of his braves, who were
Toasted and entertained for three days.
the newcomers showing their guests their
proficiency in arms, experiences in wrest-
ling, etc. But we may imagine that the
feelings Of the Pale Faces were not wholly
mirthful as they disported before these
grim and stolid Red Men. To show their
prowess In turn, "the Indians went out
and killed five deer, which they brought
to the plantation and bestowed on the
Governor and upon Captain Miles Stand
ish and sthers," a fine contribution to the
feast.
But, although thus inaugurated, the
custom was not thoroughly established for
some time. Days of Thanksgiving were
appointed in the different colonies by diff
ferent Governors for various occurrences
the safe arrival of ships bringing loved
relatives, provisions, ETC.. for seasonablt
weather, rain after long droughts, and
safe aeliverances from perils and foes
These of course, were at different periods
but most of them occurred in October OIL
November, after the harvest.
On the day appointed, families being as
sembled, they remembered first their dut.
to thank the Solver of every good ant
perfect gift" publicly, for His bount,
during the year; and so repaired early t.
His house to observe public worship.
But when the family and guests all me
on Thanksgiving Day around the hos
pitable board, there was no lack, but
superabundance, of viands and temptin
pastries, game, turkeys and chickens
wholesome vegetables and inviting fruit:
The good wives wed with each other i
their preparation Of toothsome delicacies
indeed, some of them were famed through
out the colony for their culinary skill. L
be a good housewife in those days, and
look well after the welfare and comfor
of her family was considered woman's VI
cation.
Thanksgiving Day did not become a ms
tional observance until some time afte
the nations separate life was assures
There was a general thanksgiving fc
peace In 1884. but none of a nations
character until our first President, by r.
quest Of Congress, recommended one,
1888, to celebrate the adoption of the Coz
stitutien. In 1875 there was a generi
thanksgiving for the suppression of insu
rection in several States, and in 1915, OF
for the termination of our second wf
with England.
But these were sporadic instance
Governors Of the different New EnglaI
States often issued proclamations for Il
observance of the day, until, between Il
church and state, it grew there into q
annual festival. Twice during the Civ
War. President Lincoln issued proclaim
tions for general thanksglving-in 1S'
and 1868, because of abundant harves
and certain victories, though in the form
year the war cloud was still without
show Of a silver lining.
Nov. 2, 1865, a national thanksgivil
for peaee was held, which was more &c
orally observed, and perhaps more heal
fly, than any which had preceded it. Sin
then the custom has become annual
President, followed by the Governors
the different States, issuing proclamatio
for the last Thursday in November
Illustrated Home journal.