Gilpin observer., 1913-11-20

I HANKSVIGING DAY! Personally it co
I"I jures up visions of roast turkey and plu
pudding and pies and all that go to mai
| it annual occasion of feasting; hi
torically pilgrims on a roc
k7 MI bound coast and, invariably it is regar
~ ed as about the Oldest national holiday
the land! AS matter of fact it is II
youngest! Practically every yearly observance of
patriotic nature is more ancient than the celebra
ing of Thanksgiving day a regular official
ceremony.
1t is customary in America for person
to do the pioneering and another to get the
credit that 1t is no surprise to learn that even
the Mayhower band were really not entitled to
all the praise original thanksgivers, which
they have been receiving since 1920 Not
that there is anything disparaging to be uttered
about those stern moralists-who seem to have
been adopts in loading cargo of furniture that
would tax liner into little sailing
ship,
They were brave and they deserve the
tion's remembrance. But 13 years before they
landed at Plymouth group Of future colonists
had stood on American soil and given thanks at
their deliverance from the perils Of the sea-
This Sunday, August 9, 1907, at the Is
land of Monhegar and an English minister and
priest jointly conducted service OF thanks
giving The twin ships. Mary and John, and the
fly boat. Gift of God, found their way to the
island after long, terrible voyage of storms
and helplessness. They had neither turkey
cranberry sauce but there never more
genuine Thanksgiving day.
This was along the coast of Maine and yet
Massachusetts has, through all the years. been
honored among states the home of the first
Thanksgiving service.
OF the Bay state may be said to have
taken the idea and in the words of a capitalist,
developed 1t and put it on paying basis. In
Massachusetts such day set apart for
pecal services. continued fasting and rigorous
giving OF thanks almost from the time the Pill
grim Fathers first landed. But, without meaning
to be facetious it is obvious that these common
sense folk never believed in giving thanks unless
they had something to be thankful for.
Thus. in $685. 13 years after the landing at
Plymouth, the governor of that state officially
appointed day of thanks and another in the
year following. But then there a jump of
three years during which the colonists did not
celebrate Why? Certain historians insist 1t
because they lean" years. II so. they
must have been followed by three fat
the day observed regularly until 1859.
Again interval OF fatefu 13 years and then;
in 1851 the governor declared in
favor OF Thanksgiving. In 1850 the day set.
apart as an annual state holiday and has been
since
But only New York adopted the practice OF
having such day until well into the eighteenth
century! AS early 1644 the Dutch governor
OF New York issued an official proclamation for
a day of thanksgiving but 1t not followed
each year-varying probably with the governors
ideas or the conditions of the crops. Like the
famous pagan feast of autumn It originally was
meant chiefly as public offering OF prayer in
gratitude for the bountful output OF grain and
fruits which would the settlers through the
winter.
The other states being more slowly set.
tied and In Maryland and Virginia there was not
SO much OF strong religious atmosphere notice
able as debonnaire enthusiasm for whatever Of
the good things OF life could be had
The day was observed but not oficially And
always, In the south, 1t was day OF feasting.
From The time slavery entered the land the
Maryland or Virginia colonst pictured Thanks.
giving dinner as a Of expectant waiting
diners and round grnning black face to the
rear Of the huge roast turkey on platter.
About the time Of the struggle Of '76 It came
into its own as regular holiday and in 1889
was. for the first time, declared a holiday BY
congress and so observed. SO that. really II is
quite youthful immature holiday after ali!