The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-11-19
II
Qniiversal
Thanksgiving
Day
HERE AND THERE
(By Mrs. Byrd Trego)

thanksgiving Qay never car
ried more heartfelt meaning and
Significance since its first incep-
tion, than it does this time.
To prepare us for the present
short review Of the early day
seems opportune. In 1881
there was a great scarcity of
provisions among. the pilgrim
pioneers settling about Massa-
chusetts bay. Starvation SEEM
ed staring them in the face.
They were firm believers in
prayer. So February twenty
second of that year was set
apart for one Of devoted prayer
and fasting. Before that date
arrived however the long ex-
pected vescel came up the bay
laden with provisions, and the
fast day was changed into one
of feasting and thanksgiving.
Therefore a strangely singular
tie seems to bind that period
with the present, in which the
world that was in bondage and
starving heard the cry Of vic
tory before the last recourse for
food and freedom had been ex-
hausted.
A Thanksgiving day was OBJ
served on thru the years but
seemed quite local affair un-
j til Governor Kief proclaimed a
public one to be held February
1914 on account of victory over
the Indians and again in 1645
because Of a conclusion of
peace. After that for several
years, days were set apart for
thanksgiving or fasting, some
times general and again local
until the Revolutionary war per-
iod, when Continental Congress
adopted the practice.
There was no fixed day or
date at this. time, but when oc-
casion arose, congress set day
apart by a recommendation to
the several heads of government,
reciting the occasion which
prompted the observance. Thus
the day passed for several years
or periods for it was not at that
time an annual custom.
1t was fitting that Washing
ton should be the first to set the
day for the same month we now
observe, November twenty-six
1889. Successive presidents
were moved to do likewise from
time to time.
Then, the Book of Common
Prayer" was revised in 1889
and directed the first Thursday
in November ito be observed as
day of thanksgiving to the
Almighty. God for the fruits of
the EARTH" etc. In the mean
time New England had>kept up
the custom for the interim be
tween dates mentioned.
The usage gradually extended
to states and for years the Presi-
dent has issued the proclama-
tion with which we are all ia
miliar, with state executives
choosing the same day, SO that
the custom Is now general or
national. 1t is now legal hol-
iday.
The writer has two thoughts
in mind that remain preemi-
nent, that surpass all others in
the observance of this approach
ing Thanksgiving day and for
all succeeding ones until some
thing shall stir the world to a
reason for expressions Of
gratitude that shall surpass the
present monumental one, and
such seems incOnceivable to
human powers of mind at the
present time.
would suggest trukey or
fowl or game as the piece de
resistance Of dinner, for such
has been the manner since the
first day, when a good man of
the house went forth with his
rifle to provide wild meat for
the feast. Then in preparation
quantity and quality as well as
the serving thereof I would
drop back to the early day,
when the feast carried with its
entire action a note Of simpli-
city, sincerity and absence Of
establishment Of any descrip-
lion. An observance Of this ma
ture would strike the key note
Of the menu that will be served
to our boys in mess camps and
keep US reminded wholesomely
Of our duty to save food this
winter. We may not at any
time load our table to groan-
ing with disapprobation of It's
burden, when such a countless
multitude Of others are furnish
ed with so little above the
boards. Shall we not leave the
fine damask in it's drawer, the
beautiful cut glass in its closet, +
the elaborate silver in its secret
place and china in the cabinet
while we continue to use this
day what we are accustomed to
each regular day? Make the
cooking less, the serving less
and above all the waste less.
My second thought is to
change the date Of this, our ma
tional American Thanksgiving
day, to make 1t conform to our
recent world wide one OF vic
tory. / would make November
eleven our recognized Thanks
giving day and invite the world
to share with us in its adoption.
Next issue will tell something
OF how meals were served in