The Bossier Banner

-Thanksgiving-Day.

Illinois is entitled, we rather think, to the credit of giving the first official recognition of the actual object of Thanksgiving-Day. Presidential and Gubernatorial proclamations innumerable have in the past enlarged more or less eloquently upon the ostensible purpose of the observance, all the while ostentatiously ignoring the existence of the turkey and cranberry-sauce which constituted the true center of attraction and the really serious business of the day. But Gov. Cullom, in his proclamation just issued, takes the bull by the horns—or rather holds up the turkey by the feet—and tells the people just what they are really expected to do. Says Gov. Cullom:

I therefore call upon the citizens of Illinois to assemble in their places of religious worship, and around their tables and firesides, to make this a holiday, a day of rest and festivity: not forgetting its religious observance, but, above all, a day for the re-assembling of scattered kindred, in order to the closer knitting of those domestic ties which are the pledge and ground of national union and prosperity.

This is not quite so plainly expressed as it might be; but something must be pardoned to the habit of using diplomatic language in official documents; and on the whole it does very well. He must be a dull reader who does not see that the Governor means that folks are to get together and eat turkey and cranberry-sauce, and have a good time generally, and go home with the girls in the evening—and that that is what the day is for—although they may, incidentally, go to church if they feel like it.

Well done, Governor—for a first effort! You will be able to express yourself still more clearly another time, but you haven't done badly this year!—Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph.