The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1932-11-24
Thanksgiving Day

TOW the observance of the day of Thanksgiving
II by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in 1921
was the beginning of what has become
tional custom is well known. The story of how this
custom gradually became widespread has also been
frequently told
But few of this generation know that the estab-
lishment of uniform date for Thanksgiving Day was
brought about by woman, Mrs. Sarah Josepha Hale,
born in Newport, N. H., in 1888. Left widow with
five children she took up writing means OF sup
port, and the editor of womans magazine from
1923 until 1877
She founded the first Seaman's Aid Society in Bos-
ton raised large sum in aid of the Bunker Hill monu
ment and active in many movements for the ad-
vancement of women. When in her early forties Mrs.
Hale began her long campaign for making Thanksg:v-
ing Day national holiday and its celebration on the
same date throughout the country
For about twenty years she wrote editorials in her
magazine and bombarded presidents and governors
with personal letters support of the idea. Finally
President Lincoln adopted her suggestion In 1864 and
designated the fourth Thursday of November day
of national Thanksgiving. Since then his example has
been followed by all succeeding presidents
While it will seem to many that they have little
in the way of material blessings for which to be
thankful this year. may be mindful of the spirit of
sympathy and practical hepfulness which has greatly
developed during the trying times through which we
are passing. Never before has such interest been
shown in the plight of the unfortunate, more earn
these manifestations we may be thankful, we'll as
for the indications that conditions have begun to i'm
prove and that faith in national future is fully
justified.
Back To Work
THE tumult and the shouting have died. The
speeches have all been made. The votes have
been counted. The campaign is history, and It's
time to go back to work.
Of toda
problems. They are economic, financial, social. They
are completely nonpartsan. All any president do
to solve them to give his best efforts to assist
the people with the power of government Legislation
will be passed, official suggestions will be offered-but
no matter how good they are they will be worthless
unless the people stand shoulder to shoulder and work
for their salvation.
Almost all observers agree that the bottom of de-
preston has been touched. The work of restoration
has begun. 1t will be long, arduous work, re-
curing the utmost each of give. Partsanshlp
must be forgotten Labels must be forgotten. Never
in the history of the country has nonpotical leader
ship and nonpotica thought, been essential to the
future.
So-back to work!
Worth Considering
n UGH as dislike to urge program which will
MI result in increased taxes higher water bills
A'A whichever wav the plan is fnanced) it be-
comes evident each summer that something must
be done about the citys sewage disposal system.
Realizing that the city each year loses tourist
business and suffers poor publicity because of the
dton of the park could otherwise be just
~ proud it seems advisable to make the improvement
now while labor is needed and costs low 1t is
certain that before many the improvement will
be forced upon if do not make it voluntarily.
1t is at least well worth while for the council to
secure definite estimates of the cost of such an i'm
provement and the amount of labor which would be
provided so that the public may fairly judge the ad
visibility of taking the step this winter.