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Show I lIC James WaldrFawcett I 9 in Uashin&ton Star dent that was responsible. The credit In the circumstances Is due particularly to Elias Boudlnot, a member of the house of representatives representa-tives from New Jersey, who on September Sep-tember 25, 1789. Introduced a resolution reso-lution calling upon "all the citizens of the United States" to join "with one voice in returning to Almighty God their sincere thanks for the many blessings he had poured upon them." The original document Is still In the files of the congress, where it recently was discovered. The record shows that the motion prompted strenuous debate. Opposition Opposi-tion to the proposal was passionately passion-ately intense. Aedanus Burke of South Carolina attacked "this mimicking of European customs." Thomas T. Tucker of Virginia sardonically sar-donically submitted that "It might be well to wait for some experience of the efficiency of the Constitution before returning thanks for it." Rut It was an Episcopalian who signed the proclamation when Bou- HANKSGIVING Is an an-OTfl an-OTfl ' cleat custom, but It has KjC- na 'ts ups an downs. $$rV'$ nistorian say that It Ji$rv$S has not always been the S$;vg universally popular oc-Si'iriS oc-Si'iriS casion which it now is kS'v2J3 considered to be. The first thanksgiving ceremoniously cere-moniously observed in North America Amer-ica was that conducted by Hev. Mr. Wolfall, chaplain of the Frohisher expedition to Newfoundland, May 27; l.r)7S, and the earliest Thanksgiving Thanks-giving observance reported within the present boundaries of the United States was held by the Popham colonists at Sagadahoc, Maine, in August.lG07. But the first specification of a whole day of thanksgiving was that proclaimed by William Bradford, first governor of Massachusetts Colony Col-ony of Pilgrims, "in gratitude for the plenteous harvest" of 1021. The date was December 13, old style. The festival became an annua) and regular one In Massachusetts In 16S4, and the example so established estab-lished was followed by all the other New England colonies. It was the most Important feast of the year, taking rank above Christmas, of which the Puritans disapproved. During the Revolutionary war there were at least eight separate ... -bous of her own. She desired i:is l levee at the Executive Ma:sclf Franklin square, and In were dispatched to "everyb; ma was anybody." Hamilton, n.j a, was one of those whuse was requested. ;a ff The great day dawned jg1c rade was held. The recep, lowed. Hamilton was late jy Ing at the tavern, a tardy i0a( his own dinner. ; jja To his amazement, the t the feast found his guests waited for him to appeal' had been eating and drln all they were worth In his 5 From the doorway' Ha ml .!? 'j veyed the scene, his fa,'e5t0 with raga Nevertheless. iS his tongue for fear of the;j scandfll" of an outburst, fell as he moved across t'. to a place at the table, j, 1 Inevitable outburst followe" For five years there v Thanksgiving day proclamai., . Thanksgiving day celebratl, In a later period Andre" e son and Zachary Taylor re..1 order observance of the . 1 Abraham Lincoln was res for the present custom of .. r the fourth or last Thursday vember as a national day o:.' to God. .j) But It was not untl paratlvelv recent years t people of the entire countr U to celebrate the annual '! with enthusiasm. . .J Abraham Lincoln Was Responsible for Present Custom. dinot's resolution finally was accorded ac-corded congressional approval. It happened, too, that It was the first document of its kind ever endorsed by an American Chief Executive. November 26 was the day assigned, and Washington summoned the new nation to express gratitude "for the peaceable and rutional manner In which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government." govern-ment." However, the opposition party was not satisfied. Jefferson, for one. declined to take part In the ceremonies. cere-monies. His celebrated rival, Alexander Alex-ander Hamilton, on the other hand, determined to make a really memorable mem-orable event of the festival With the Imaginative flair which a distinguished distin-guished him, he vlsloned a "monster "mon-ster celebration," wdth Washington as Its presiding genius. There should be a great parade, a color ful and dramatic pageant, an American equivalent, more or less, of a 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 decid ed, should culminate In a banquet at Fraunces tavern. To the festal board he Invited his chosen friends and preparation for their entertain merit In the grand manner proceeded. pro-ceeded. Blut Mrs. Washington had plans The Great Day Dawned. The Parade Pa-rade Was Held. days of general thanksgiving. George Washington ordered days for prayer and thanks on December 18, 1777, and May 7, 177S. 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 Con-trary to common belief. It was congress con-gress rather than the first Presl- :'' " " |