The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-11-16
Elias Boudinot

Jefferson's supporters in congress, principally
southerners, Immediately made known their op-
position to the idea. Representative Aedamus
Burke OF South Carolina declared that he did
not like this mimicking of European customs,
where they made a mere mockery of thanks
giving" He pointed out that 'two parties at
war frequently sung TIE Deum for the same
event, though for one it was victory and to the
other defeat"
Representative Thomas Tudor Tucker of South
Carolina Thought the House had no business
to interfere In a matter which did not concern
them" He suggested that the people might not
BE inclined to return thanks for Constitution
until they have experienced that it promotes
their safety and happiness" He said further
that If Thanksgiving day must be held the
states could institute it. He said that at is
religious matter, and. as such Is prescribed
to u.s."
Through the words of these spokesman we can
hear the voice Of Jefferson, protesting against
monarchial trend in the new government, against
encroachment upon the boundary line which had
been fixed between church and state and against
any invasion Of States rights" In answer to
these protests Boudinot quoted further prece-
dents from the practice Of the late Congress"
and Representative Roger Sherman Of Connecti-
cut rallied to his support, declaring that the
practice of thanksgiving was warranted by a
uuuD0T u pTSCeuCutS III HOLY WTlCs IOr INSTANCE,
the solemn thanksgivings and rejoicings which
took place in the time of Solomon, after the
building Of the temple, was a case in point"
The resolution was carried and Representa-
tives Boudinot, Sherman and Peter Sylvester Of
New York were appointed by the house commit
tee to wait upon the President The senate on
the following day, adopted the resolution, APP
pointing Senators william Samuel Johnson Of
Connecticut and Ralph lizard of South Carolina
to be the senate members Of the committee.
Accordingly this committee waited on the
President and on October Washington issued
the proclamation in which he recommended that
Thursday. November 20, be observed by the peo-
pie Of the United States as day Of thanks
giving.
Hamilton had won the first maneuver over his
rival but there were still stormy days ahead for
him. For now arose the question of how the
celebration should be carried out and, of course,
the two statesmen were at odds on that Hamil-
ton proposed a monster parade Of military OFF,
Gals and governmental dignitaries, headed by
President Washington Jefferson, opposed as he
was to all displays of pomp and circumstance
protested against such celebration. He appar-
emily won his point, for 1t was determined that
the day was a domestic holiday and should be
observed in the privacy Of the home after the
New England tradition.
Accordingly Mrs Washington began making
plans for levee In the true colonial style at
the Executive Mansion In Franklin Square to
which every one Of consequence In New York
was invited It promised to be a great social
occasion so 1t was eagerly looked forward to by
the beaus and bellies Of the city.
But even though Jefferson had outmaneuvered
him in this respect, Hamilton was not yet ready
to admit defeat He began organizing all kinds
Of public festivities to upset the plans Of those
who wished to celebrate the day quietly Al
though Jefferson held himself somewhat aloof
from the preparations for the celebration, word
Of this latest antagonism between the two cab
met members had leaked out and two different
factions Of celebrators began to form In New
York. More than that, factions formed in Bos-
ton and Philadelphia also and considerable Bit
terness between them became evident. So as the
day for the celebration of the rst official Thanks
giving approached, It became plain that 1t would
be day OF partisa1shi2 and ill-feeling rather
than one Of rejoicing and gratitude, as Wash
ington had hoped 1t would be