The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-11-22
Elias Boudinot

Jerersons supporters in congress, principally
southerners, Immediately made known their OPP
position to the idea Representative Aedamus
Burke OF South Carolina declared that he did
not like this mmicking 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 1t victory and to the
other defeat"
Representative Thomas Tudor Tucker OF South
Carolina Thought the House had no business
to interfere In 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 1t promotes
their safety and happiness" He said further
that II Thanksgiving day must be held the
states could institute it. He said that st is a
religious matter, and, such, is prescribed
to u.s."
Through the words OF these spokesman
hear the voice OF Jefferson, protesting against
monarchial trend In the new government, against
encroachment upon the boundary line which Ind
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 Connect
cut rallied to his support, declaring that the
practice of thanksgiving was warranted by
number of precedents In Holy Writ: for instance,
the solemn thanksgivngs and rejoclngs 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-
tves Boudinot. Sherman and Peter Sylvester OF
New York were appointed by the house commit
tee to walt upon the President. The senate, on
the following day, adopted the resolution. ap
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 26 be observed by the peo/
pie OF the United States as a 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 ohi-
Gals and governmental dignltaries headed BY
President Washington. Jefferson opposed as he
was to all displays of pomp and circumstance,
protested against such a celebration. He appar-
emily won his point, for 1t was determined that
the day was 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 70
which every one Of consequence In New York
was Invited. 1t promised to be great social
occasion so II was eagerly looked forward to BY
the beaus and bellies OF the city.
Rnt even though Jefferson had omtmanemyered
him In this respect. Hamilton was not yet ready
to admit defent. 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 nniagonlsm between the two cab
met members had leaked out and two different
factions of ceebrators began to form In New
York More thnn that, factions formed In Bns
ton and Philadelphia also and considerable BIZ
terness between them became evident So ms the
day for the celebration of the first official Thanks
giving approached, II became plain that It would
be day Of craftsmanship and lll-fpelIng rather
than one ~ rejoicing and gratitude. as Wasl
tngton had hoped II would be.