The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-11-18

served and smiled as women always smile when
dinner is success The few children of the
colony chung to the women's skirts and looked in
awe at the Indians, who had come in full regalia
-plumed heads painted faces and with bows and
quivers at their sides.
Dinner finished, tables were cleared and the
men rested their backs against stumps to let
digestion have its way. But the Indians, who
hadn't inherited Questions decided 1t time
to dance. So they yeped and jumped and danced
around to the delight OF the settlers and to the
fright OF the children.
Capt Miles Standish, the same who lost a
bride by proxy, led out his company of twenty
soldiers and drilled them before the Indians.
The little band went through its maneuvers and
climax fired couple of salvos from their
matchbox muskets. The Indians cheered Justify,
and crowded around the captain while he at
tempted TO explain to them the mechanism of his
blunderbus
Then, now, sports a part of the OBJ
servance OF the day. In a clear space. leapng.
running and other athletic games staged.
The Indians laid aside their fur cloaks and the
coonists peeled off their jackets and contested
for the honors. Evidently records low
ered for the official score books have nothing in
them concerning this meet.
In the course Of three hundred years the cele-
bration OF Thanksgiving has become national
custom. Its observance grew gradually and not
until the Civil war national Thanks
renee. The presidents general Thanksgiving
proclamation is supplemented by that Of the
governors OF the states
In 1871 the Thanksgiving recommendation took
for the first time the form and name of procla-
nation. On September 10 Roger Sherman, sec
onded by John Witherspoon. moved that Thursday.
December 3D. be selected as a day Of thanksgiving
This Roger Sherman is unique in our history in
asmuch as he is the only man who signed all four
Of the Great Documents: Articles Of Associa
ton 1774; Articles Of Confederation, 1775; Dec
laratlon Of Independence, 1776, and Constitution
1887.
The official growth Of the Thanksgiving Day
observance was quite gradual. The Massachu-
sets Bay Colony officially designated such a cele
bratIon in 1880 Connecticut followed example in
1899 and the Dutch OF the New Netherlands in
February 1914.
The day OF observance varied some of the
colonies holding their Thanksgiving early
July and others as late February; but by
degrees IL came to the great harvest celebration
thus preserving the true significance of the first
Thanksgiving Day.
The first officially appointed Thanksgiving
Day observed by the whole ration the twenty
sixth Of November. 1889. which George Washing
ton proclaimed as day for rendering the thanks
Of the people 10 Heaven for the good fortune that
was theirs at that time. Washington had been in
office lust six months the first President Of the
United States.
This document Is couched In an exalted strain
that should bear Its message anew TO every Ame.i-
can today. After a brief preamble, the proclama-
ton says:
Now. therefore, do recommend and assign,
Thursday the twenty-sixth Of November next to
be devoted by the people Of these states to the
service OF that great and glorious Being who is the
benefcIent author Of all the good that was that is
or that will be. That may then unite in
derng unto Him sincere and humble thanks
for His kind and protection OF the people OF
this country previous TO their becoming nation;
for the signal and manifold merces and favorable
interpretations OF His providence In the course and
conclusion OF the late war; for the great degree
Of tranquility, union and plenty which we have
since enjoyed for the peaceable and rational
manner in which we have been enabled to establish
constitutions OF government for safety and
happiness. and particularly the national one now
lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty
with which we blessed and the means we
have Of acquiring and dffusing knowledge, and,
in general for all the great favors which He hath
been pleased TO confer upon
"And also that may then unite in most
humbly Offering our prayers and applications to
the great Lord and Ruler Of nations. and beseech
Him to pardon national and other transgres-
si0ns; to enable all, whether in public or
private stations. TO perform our several duties
properly and punctually; to render our national