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opinion

Herald & Lantern 23 November '83

Thanksgiving

First Proclamation Thanks fot His Kind Care

Thanksgiving was not designated an official, annual American holiday until the time of the Civil War. However. Thanksgiving celebrations began as early as 1621, after the Pilgrims reaped their first harvest. The first official National Day of Thanksgiving observed in the United States was in 1789 during President George Washington's very first year in office. He issued this proclamation: Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God. to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me ‘to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:" Now. therefore. I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish

constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and. in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best. Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3rd day of October. A.D. 1789.

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Dortt Ward HE HELPED — The first Thanksgiving owed much to the .-.sislance given Pilgrims by the Wanpanoag chieftan Massasoit, whose statue overlooks Plymouth Rock Memorial and the city’s harbor.

Mayflower Compact To Plant

The 1st Colony The Pilgrims, fleeing religious persecution in Europe, arrived off the New England coast in their ship, “The Mayflower," in November, 1620. Prior to disembarking, the Pilgrim leaders drafted in America. Forty-one of the passengers signed the compact. Its text follows: In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland king, defender of the faith, etc. Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virture hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod the 11 of November, in the year of the reign of our soverign lord, King James, of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland fhe fifty-fourth, Anno Dom. 1620.

Our Readers Write Selfless Contributions

To The Editor: During the past several weeks I have made two appeals to the residents of Cape May County, through*fOur newspaper, seeking their assistance with projects that have both benefited and brought honor to our community. I would like to report at this writing that the response to those appeals was most gratifying. According to the Red Cross Blood Services Division, of Pleasantville, blood collected at the Byron Pennington Croker Post No. 184 The American Legion of Wildwood was distributed to hospitals in our community that will benefit approximately 105 patients. The director, Beverly National Cemetery, "was pleased to advise me that of the 530 Flags flown on Nov. During the

Veterans Day dedication ceremonies, 30 were donated by residents of Cape May County. He further added that this was an on-going project to collect 900 flags, and contributions for poles to complete the “Avenue of Flags.” Therefore, on behalf of the officers and members of American Legion Post No. 184, please extend our sincerest appreciation to your staff for their support, and the members of our community for their selfless contributions of family treasures, and life-sustaining donations. FRANK TURSE Commander American Legion Post 184 Wildwood