Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1898 — A Woman’s Influence. [ARTICLE]

A Woman’s Influence.

George Washington Issued the first Presidential proclamation for a Thanksgiving observance. It may not be generally known that a woman was largely instrumental in bringing about the annual observance of the day, but such is the case. Sarah Josephs Buell Hale is the name of the woman who advocated the yearly Thanksgiving Day. For several years previous to 1864 the custom had fallen into disuse. Through the columns of a magazine she edited, Mrs. Hale earnestly urged a return to the annual custom, and President Lincoln ably seconded her pleadings by issuing in 1864 another Presidential proclamation for a general Thanksgiving Day. Since then the custom has not been changed, and it bids fair to stay as it is to the end of time. And who would wish to change it? What would we do without the great family reunions, when the children, grandchildren and perhaps the greatgrandchildren come back to the dear old home, bringing happy memories of her young days to the silver-haired se-rene-faced mother as she clasps her children and her children’s children in her eager, loving arms? It is a hallowed day, and old and young alike love its joyousness and generous good cheer.