The True American Thanksgiving

[MountainDon]

Our Thanksgiving Celebration originally was to give thanks to God for what he provided...

It was George Washington, in 1789, who gave us our national Thanksgiving Day. In his proclamation he mentioned God by name twice and a further 10 references to God.

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 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 which we experienced in the tranquility [sic], 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 hath 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 shewn [sic] kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord -- To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease [sic] 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 third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

George Washington

[MountainDon]

The first settlers lived in a collective system, a commune, or communism if you will. It didn't take them long to realize this was a poor way to run things. Capitalism is what saved them from starvation, not so much the Indians as we are led to believe today.

Determined to live good, pious lives, and to repay their sponsors within the stipulated seven years, they established a system of communal property and communal effort, an early version of "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." All land, all livestock, all production was commonly owned, managed, and stored: they saw themselves, again in Bradford's words, as pursuing a "common course and condition."

And they behaved as good communists everywhere: they began to die.

References:

http://www.ladysmaidjewels.com/Cblog/archives/000730.html

also:

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_112107/content/01125113.guest.html

http://www.vdare.com/fulford/thanksgiving.htm

[Sassy]

Thanks for posting that MtnDon!  It's great to be able to read what our founding fathers actually said & believed about God & gov't.  I'll have to look at the links.

Here is a link for "The Freedom Documents" http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/products.html

50 of the greatest documents of American history in one beautiful volume! 171 full size pages. Assembled with a ring spine for easy copying. These historic documents contain the spirit and pride of America. Available nowhere else that we know of. Excellent resource for high school and college students, as well as home-schoolers!