Evening star., 1933-11-30
BY JAMES WALDO FAwCETT.

THANKSGIVING is an ancient Gus.
tom, but it has had its ups and
downs. Historians say that II
L has not always been the univer-
sally popular occasion which 1t
now is considered to be.
The first Thanksgiving tremendously
observed in North America was that
conducted by the Rev. Mr.. Wolfall.
chaplain of the Frobisher expedition to
Newfoundland. May ,27, 1878, and the
earliest Thanksgiving observance re-
the United States was that held by the
Popham colonists at Sagadahoc, Me-. in
August, 1907.
But the first specification Of a whole
day of Thanksgiving was that pro-
claimed by William Bradford, first Gov
ernor of Massachusetts, Colony Of Pn-
grims, "in gratitude for the plenteous
harvest" of 1871. The date was Decem-
ber 13, old style.
The festival became an annual and
regular one in Massachusetts, in 1884,
and the example so established was fol-
lowed by an the other New England
Colonies. It was the most important
feast Of the year, taking rank above
Christmas, which the Puritans dis
approved.
Congress Ordained Holiday.
During the Revolutionary War there
were at least eight separate days of
general Thanksgiving. George Wash
ington ordered days for prayer and
thanks on December Is. 1777, and May
z, 1778.
But it was not the Father of His
Country who first conceived the idea Of
a national Thanksgiving day for the
newly liberated Colonies. Contrary to
common belief, it was Congress rather
than the first President that was re-
sponsible. The credit in the circum-
stances is due particularly to Elias Bou-
dinot, member Of the House Of Repre-
sentatives from New Jersey, who on
September rs, 1889, introduced reSo-
luton calling upon "all the citizens Of
the United States" to join with one
their sincere thanks for the many bless
ings He had poured upon them" The
original document Is still in the files Of
the Congress. where it recently was dis
covered by Col. Edwin A. Halsey, secre-
tary of the Senate, and James D. Pres
ton, Senate librarian. RI
The record shows that the motion
prompted strenuous debate Opposition
to the proposal was pasSionately in
tense. Aedanus Burke of South Caro-
lima attacked this mimicking of Euro
pean customs" Thomas T. Tucker Of
Virginia sardonically submitted that
'it might be well to wait for some
experience Of the efficiency of the Con-
stitution before returning thanks for
it." Thomas Jefferson opposed the
plan for fear it might imply a con-
nection between state and church. The
fact was that Thanksgiving day never
had been accepted in the South. It
had been considered an exclusively
evangelical occasion, a sectarian festi-
val of the Congregationalists. The
Episcopal, or Anglican, communion
would have none Of it.
Signed by Episcopalian.
But it was an Episcopalian who
signed the proclamation when Boudi-
not's resolution finally was accorded
congressional approval. It happened
too, that it was the first document of
its kind ever indorsed by an American
Chief Executive. November 26 was
the day assigned, and Washington
summoned the new Nation to express
gratitude "for the peaceable and ra-
tional manner in which We have been
enabled to establish constitutions Of
government"
However, the opposition party was
not satisfied. Jefferson, for one, de-
clined to take part in the ceremonies.
His celebrated rival, Alexander Hamil-
ton, on the other hand, determined to
make a really memorable event of the
festival. With the imaginative flair
which distinguished him. he V1glOned .
monster celebration" with Washing
ton as its presiding genids. There
should be Q great parade, Q colorful
and dramatic pageant. an American
equivalent, more or less, of q Roman
triumph. Troops were to march, bands
to play. flags to fly, and the multitude
could be counted upon to cheer.
The whole affair, Hamilton decided,
should culminate in a banquet at
Fraunces Tavern. To the festal board
he invited his chosen friends. and
preparations for their entertainment
In the grand manner proceeded.
But Mrs. Washington had plans of
her own. She desired formal levee
at the Executive Mansion In Franklin
Square, and invitations were dispatched
to Everybody who was anybody" Ham
ilton, naturally, was one Of those whose
presence was requested.
The great day dawned~ The parade