d
and at Plymouth, there was much to make a born optimist grave and
thoughtful. But it is a mistake to suppose that they could not rejoice
with those who rejoiced as well as weep with those who wept. Take, for
instance, the first Thanksgiving festival held by the Pilgrims. The
quaint account of this by one of their Governors is always interesting.
This first American Thanksgiving took place at Plymouth in 1621, only
about ten months after the landing. It was like a Jewish festival,
continuing out of doors for a week. The Pilgrim writer, Governor
Winslow, describes it thus: "Our harvest being gotten in, our Governor
(meaning Governor Bradford) sent four men out fowling, so that we might,
after a special manner (meaning doubtless a gay and festive manner)
rejoice together after (not counting chickens before they were hatched)
we had gathered the fruit of our labors." Now, listen to this: "They
killed in one day so much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the
company almost a week." What this "little help beside" was, is not
stated. In our day it would mean that the hunter and the fisherman made
heavy drafts upon Fulton Market for meat, fowl, and fish, to supply what
was short. "At which time," says the writer, "among other recreations,
we exercised our arms"--this probably means they shot at a mark
[laughter]--"many of the Indians coming among us"--they were not the
mark, at least this time--"and among the rest, their greatest king,
Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and
feasted." Think of that; feasting ninety Indians three days, and the
whole colony besides. What New England Society has ever made so good a
showing of hospitality and good cheer? [Laughter.] "And they" (the
ninety Indians), "went out and killed five deer."

Now, I submit, we have here a clear case of the application of the great
principle of honest, even-handed co-operation, no modern device in that
line could surpass it. It is true the Indians were not an incorporated
society, and so there was no receiver appointed to wind them up.
[Laughter.] "Which they brought," says the writer, "to the plantation
and bestowed on our Governor" (meaning Governor Bradford), "our captain,
and others." Governor Bradford, in speaking of this, tells us that among
the fowl brought in "was a great store of turkeys." Thus begins the sad
history in this country of the rise and annual fall on Thanksgiving days
of that exalted biped--the Am