St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1917-11-24
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served in New Netherland. Govern
u Kieft proclaimed a public thanks
living to be held in February, 1t44
N account of victory over the In
lians; and again in 1645, because
If the conclusion of peace.
Thanksgiving and fasts, sometimes
partial and sometimes genera, were
appointed in several colonies, and
early in the Revolutionary War, the
Continental Congress adopted the
practice. From 1875 until 1882 a
day of thanksgiving was appointed
Zach year by the Continental Con-
;res, in the form OF recommends
,-ons to the executive heads OF the
several state governments, recltlns
he occasion which prompted the ob-
jervance. With only one exception
Congress suspended business on the
lays appointed for thanksgiving
Washington issued proclamation
for a general thanksgiving by the
Continental Army on Thursday, de-
:emoer Is, 1777, and again at valley
Forge, May Z, 1878.
AS president, Washington appoint
ed Thursday, November 26, 1883. a
lay for thanksgiving throughout the
Union, successive presidents were
moved to do likewise from time to
5.me.
The "Book of Common Prayer"
,eyised in 1889 for the use OF the
Protestant Episcopal Church in Am
erica, directed the first Thursday OF
November (unleos the civil authori-
les appoint another day. to be OBJ
served as a day of thanksgiving to
Almighty God for the fruits Of earth,
etc.
In New England especially day
If thanksgiving has been annually
celebrated for century or more, and
made the occasion for family reun-
ons. The custom gradually extend
ed to the other states, and for sew
eral years the president of the United
states has issued proclamation for
1 day of thanksgiving throughout
he UNNECESSARILY the last Thurs
lay in November-andt the state ex-
ecutives have chosen the same day,
% that the custom is now general.
Thanksgiving Day is now legal
holiday.
Imagine the joy and deep thanks
giving felt by our Puritan fathers in
Massachusetts Bay in 1851, when
starvation seemed to be so near that
20 proclaim fast days was necessary.
Then IN answer to their fervent pray
tho vnconf 1o1ny, witt ~
nee of food arrived. Sorrow was
.urned into joy-anu with hearts full
+ thankfulne5s to their loving Faith
er, the day was changed from fast
lay to one of Thanksgiving.
Review of Interesting Events of
National Importance During
the Past Year.
The beg: ming of the year 1917
'ound the United States of America
l peace-loving nation. We had re-
elected our President with the cry:
He kept us out of war"
When all at once the call to arms
resounded throughout the land.
Germany was using the submarine
o intimidate all nations. Our Pres
dents protest to the frightfulness OF
such campaign was nothing to Ger
many. She would sink neutral ships
and everything else in order to win
he war.
We were allowed to send one ship
week beyond the mouth of the
Hudosn river, providing we painted
hat ship with the colors Germany
demanded. All the other American
hips must stay in port or be blown
Up.
On the second of April, President
WILSON, appeared before the members
I Congress, assembled in joint ses-
on, AID read his war message. Part
{ the message sad: There Is one
hoice we cannot make. we are in
apah.e Of making. We will not
loose the path OF submission and
Fer the most sacred rights of our
Nation and our people to be ignored
VI violated. The wrongs against
which we now array ourselves are
'ommon wrongs. They cut to the
cry roots Of human lfe."
War was declared on the 9Th day
of April.
Immediately after the declaration
OF war, the Government started in to
mobilize the Nation. National mob
ilization means the organization of
the whole country behind the firing
lines. 1t means the production of
everything necessary-fuel and food