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Thanksgiving Day, a function which originated in New England two or three
centuries ago when those people recognized that they really had something
to be thankful for -- annually, not oftener -- if they had succeeded in
exterminating their neighbors, the Indians, during the previous twelve
months instead of getting exterminated by their neighbors, the Indians.
Thanksgiving Day became a habit, for the reason that in the course of
time, as the years drifted on, it was perceived that the exterminating
had ceased to be mutual and was all on the white man's side, consequently
on the Lord's side; hence it was proper to thank the Lord for it and extend
the usual annual compliments. |
 AI image created by Barbara Schmidt |
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The observance of Thanksgiving Day -- as a function -- has become general
of late years. The Thankfulness is not so general. This is natural. Two-thirds
of the nation have always had hard luck and a hard time during the year,
and this has a calming effect upon their enthusiasm. Thanksgiving Day. Let all give humble, hearty, and sincere thanks now,
but the turkeys. In the island of Fiji they do not use turkeys; they use
plumbers. It does not become you and me to sneer at Fiji. You ask me for a sentiment which shall state how much I have to be thankful
for this time. For years it has been a rule with me not to expose my gratitude
in print on Thanksgiving Day, but I wish to break the rule now and pour
out my thankfulness; for there is more of it than I can contain without
straining myself. I am thankful -- thankful beyond words -- that I had
only $51,000 on deposit in the Knickerbocker Trust, instead of a million;
for if I had had a million in that bucket shop, I should be nineteen times
as sorry as I am now. Trusting this paean of joy will satisfy your requirement,
I am Yours truly, Mark Twain. |
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For two additional Thanksgiving Day sentiments on war and killing, see: "What I Am Thankful For," New York World
(26 November 1905) statement about his campaign against King Leopold's
rule of the Congo. and A
Thanksgiving statement from Nov. 1905) -- |
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