'The First Thanksgiving'
What we know about the "First Thanksgiving" conies in a letter Edward Winslow wrote
back to England on Dec. 11,1621, exactly one
year after he and others among the 101 surviving Mayflower passengers came ashore at
Plymouth Rock.
Only 50 of the original band were still alive
one year later, but sometime during the
autumn—possibly in October—they set aside
three days to give thanks for their deliverance
from a perilous voyage and deadly harsh
winter.
As related by Winslow, they were able to
share their feasting on produce, berries and
game (turkey wasn't mentioned) with Chief
Massasoit and 90 of his Wampanoag braves,
t who engaged the Pilgrim settlers in racing
and jumping games.
That account, recorded for posterity in a
printed history of "The Plantation Settled at
Plymouth," stood unchallenged for nearly 350
years as the first Thanksgiving. Then in 1971
the New York Public Library's manuscript
division found a document indicating an even
earlier service of praise and thanksgiving had
taken place at Berkeley Hundred, Va. in 1619.
Even that may not have been the "first."
The editors of Hallmark Cards, in their book
"Celebrations," tell us that English fishermen
celebrated a day of thanksgiving in 1578, and
that along the coast of Maine, the Popham Colony set aside such a day in 1607.
iitigai*dles« oi vvlio vvaK die ar;;t, ,*..iu.|!i'ii,;t••;
traditional notions of Thanksgiving hark back
to the celebration Winslow described, and to
the following one July 30, .1623, which Gov.
William Bradford proclaimed in thankfulness
for needed rain and the coming arrival of the
supply ship Anne. But it apparently did not
f
.
Viewpoint
become an annual event, even in Puritan New
England, for a long time.
That scholarly interpreter of the Puritans
and their literature, Perry Miller, relates that
they objected to stated holy days and fixed
days of celebration because they believed
them to be pagan in origin, a cause for pfofanity and dissipation, "and because they believed
God desired men to observe days of thanksgiving or humiliation as events seemed to indicate from time to time, or as the spirit seemed to dictate."
While President Washington proclaimed a
day of thanksgiving in 1789 and again in 1795,
and President Madison in 1815, the celebration
as a publicly declared day remained a stateby-state matter until 1863, during the Civil
War'when Union victoryd at last seemed
possible to President Lincoln. He declared the
last Thursday in November as the national
day of Thanksgiving each year.
This formula prevailed until 1939 when
President Roosevelt tried to move the date
back a week to allow more time between
I'liaiiitrigiviiig tint1 uiiviBi.'iiVHK. ir.».iitli.;»i»uii;i.rf"
were enraged, provoking Congress in 1941 to
declare that henceforth it would be the fourth
Thursday in November, unalterable by
presidential whim.
Whatever, give thanks tomorrow. Happy
Thanksgiving.
AZHDJMHOKU **r. svu>.»r
'OK.THHt 60SD-NCW,HOP I t '
How's your I.Q.?
By JIM BISHOP
I'i'in .v<»i'1i(! i» <ivu(i<niti< ii»it; iil«m
in conflict for a decade over the Intelligence Quotient test. The
popular test, called.Stanford-Binet,
had been discarded in many schools
because the doctors of education
have decided that it is a test of
achievement rather than intelligence.
Teachers argue that, regardless
loLtejstmg^tndents^how up on^lon-,
day morning, study the same things
in class groups, and go home in the
afternoon. A child who is a compulsive reader may score higher
than another whose obsession is
football.
ii>||.tll'»> i?irt.V;-,.iiti»; ili'HHl,' iUnoV,{|>;r
a>ti:UiU<Hiiwii; I'«:«;K)I1III{. iTili; >inv%
of course, reaches a decision more
quickly than the sequential. No one
is certain that Luria knows what
he's talking about, but he has a lot of
believers in America.
. .'
The sequential part helps students
to memorize an assortment of
The criticism grows louder, and it w o r d s or n u m b e r s . T h e
is possible that no one can measure simultaneous reasoning is largely
intelligence in students without in- tested by quickly recognizing par- curring scorn and contempt. The tial drawings of well-known objects.
7
.
• •
first test, arranged by Alfred Bine't This visual test is supposed to level
I j
and Theophile Simon in Paris* the differences in cultures.
Arthur R. Jensen, psychologist at
dumped poor students out of overthe University of California, states a
crowded French schools in 1904.,,
The Binet-Simon test was im- test is good only if it can "predict perported by the United States and had formance in students. "I'm not exThe two may be equaHy in- the effect of pronouncing some cited about the Kaufmans' test," he
I have never seen the legislature speak out at board meetings. We telligent. Three years ago, a federal students, mostly black, as "retard- says.
United Way refuses
Jensen thinks that true inrush to give funds to the "Karen should also vote our elected officials district court ruled that that IQ tests ed." Among other things, students
could no longer be used for educa- were required to name the days of telligence is in the genes, that we
Fleury
Memorial
Bike
Path"
or
to
out
prior
to
their
retiring
and
then
to listen closely
the "Beaijtown Ski Club" nor can I they wouldn't boost their salaries tional diagnosis. The American the week in proper sequence, count a^re born with the good ones or we
Guidance Service, a text book the sum of a handful of coins, and are not. He is opposed to short-term
To the Editor: The United Fund think of any other sport that they every year to help their retirement. publisher, asked two psychologists, explain reading material.
memory tests as a test of insubsidize.
How
can
it
be,
that
as
Keep this letter and next year
will never reach it's goal, because it
telligence.
Alan
andNadeen
Kaufman,
to
This
was
followed
by
the
Wechsler
they study reductions in the social when these politicians come around
is obstinatc.It does not listen.
research anddesign anew test.
Intelligence Scale which tried to . Kaufman admits that, while his
A large group in the community programs, they can gleefully count looking for votes, ask them why you
The
tests
in
use
were
found
to
be
measure the ability to reason. This test has many short memory prodoes not approve of the permissive out our money to the Delaware and should vote for them.
biased
against
blacks
by
15
points
too
came under fire. In 1974, Alan blems built into it, he is not relying
Hudson
Railway
officials
for
John St. Germain
sexual education program of Plannand
Hispanics
by
a
smaller
number.
Kaufman
redesigned the Wechsler on memory. His memory tests are a
Cadyville
ed Parenthood. In spite of this, easements on railroad tracks?
Orientals in large numbers failed Test. Today, he admits he wasn't prelude to assess sequential and
As
I
read
about
this
travesty
of
Planned Parenthood is partically
simultaneous abilities.
, the short memory tests. Different sufficiently radical.
supported by the United Fund. This the legislative use of tax dollars, the
Asa, Hilliard, an authority on
cultures
see
a
problem
in
different
The
brand
new
KABC
has
a
core
old
saying,
"There's
something
rotis contrary to the expressed wish of
education
at'the University' of
ways.
The
tests
in
use
were
designbased
on
the
work
of
a
Russian
proten in Denmark," snaps to my County home
many.
ed, apparently, for average white fessor, Aleksandr R. Luria. He Georgia, hits Kaufman harder. It is
mind.
We
need
srfme
investigative
Planned Parenthood believes in
students,
thinks that pertain parts of the his feeling that tiie KABC test is
deserves better
"doing you own thing" in sexual reporting on this issue.
The Kaufmans required fivf physical brain are responsible for aimed at political congeniality, li
W.H.Saxe
matters, as long as you choose to
years to produce a fresh assortment separate perceptions. The frontal may be the «mly„ test around, he
Chazy
»live with it. Then, let THEM "do
To the Editor: This is about your of problems, aimed at placing and, temporal lobes are the seat of says, that will satisfy the courts. It
•f their own thing" in raising money
county nursing home. When you left minority students on an equal processing sequential information, may even keep the*"bias people off
for the support of the programs that
East Beekmantown you had a footing with whites. It is called the events which follow each other in his back."
promote their own viewpoint.
chance of buying a lot of Clarence Kaufman Assessment Battery for order.
Keep working hard, students. You
Helen McKeever Elected officials
Manley on Tom Miller Road near Children (KABC).
are at the mercy of your brilliant
Luria
believes
that
the
sides
of
the
Plattsburgh
Prospect Avenue. But you chose the
It hasn't been published yet, but head (parietal) and back of the head elders.
held accountable
lot in a swamp. After you moved in- as Wray Herbert points out in (occipital) are responsible for
King Features Syndicate
Snowsled program
to this new home you spent a lot of
To the Editor: On Nov. 41 attend- money correcting sewer pipes, etc.
ed the budget hearing of the town of
Now you paid $12,000 to Mr. Read
a 'sacred coW
itylattsburgh.
for a study of this home. Does this
Our elected and appointed of- Mr. Read thing the county should
To the Editor: The Nov. 17 PressRepublican gives us the headlines ficials amaze me. Salaries for these get the money the hospitals get?
which read, "County funds part-time personnel would indicate The county legislators want a raise,
snowmobile program." I want to they were full-time jobs: a town they just vote it... no matter what
know just why this snowmobile pro- clerk at $7,600 per year, a lawyer at the cost to the taxpayers.
Does anyone know Mrs. Tosh?
gram-has become such a "sacred $20,700 per year, a town justice at
$8,700, per year .The positions of She is 100 percent for the goqd of
cow."
, /'
building inspector and zoning of- these people in your nursing home.
By MARIANNE MEANS
/ /
ficer will be combined for a salary And the nurses aides and
of
$12,500
and
a
full-time
secretary
housecleaning
all
work
together
for
Press-Republican will ,be hired for him. The town
/
the/best of care for these poor souls.
WASHINGTON - Senate Finance standard, however, to which others the latter the first female balloon
t70 Margaret St.,
highway, superintendent receives And they keep this home clean.
Committee chairman Robert Dole, have enthusiastically aspired ever figure in the parade. Popeye, her
Plattsburgh. N Y 12WI
$22,000 per year just to supervise 63 The care is as good as you get in a who is6ne of the most powerful con- since. What with 'inflation and one sailor man, was introduced in the
(USPS443 240)
miles of highway, or $30 per mile. hospital. You could save the $12,000 servatives on Capitol Hill, is rapidly thing and another, the cost of parade in 1957; but he wore out, the
Wednesday, November 24, 1982 Compare these salaries with other and use it on your nice county home. wearing^ out his welcome at the statewide campaigning has maximum life of a well-loved
escalated; Texas' GOP Gov. balloon being about 20 years.
towns in the area.
Stop and think what you are trying White House,
The Republican 1111, The Press ll»4.
The Press R»|>ubHc«ri U42
The amount of money to be raised to do to these poor helpless people in
The president's advisers fear that William Clements, for instance, (Bullwinkle Moose, which is still on
by taxes is $713,748, .all in special your home. The workers have have Dole will react to the Republican spent roughly $12 million this year, display this year, takes geriatric
Benjamin M. Turnbull
President and Publisher
honors at 22 years old.)
districts. Sales tax revenues are doing things in the county home are scare in the midterm election by and lost.
Helms is up for re-election again
estimated at approximately $700,000 100 percent helpful to the people in steering an ever-more independent
Richard J Anthony
General Manager
The National Press Club was
next year, but that is only used for it.
course, putting forth his own in 1984, and two things seem certain.
general fund and highway departI know. I have been in and out of economic proposals instead of ac- It means that he will keep raising given a backstage tour of a parade
James D Dynko, Editor
'
Robert J Grady, Managing Editor
ment. If you add the $700,000 sales the nursing home for the last couple cepting Reagan's. Indeed, Dole has those narrow social issues dear to warehouse in Hoboken, N.J., the
Timothy G. Cunningham, City Editor
tax the the $713,748 special taxes, of years. Mrs. Tosh and her helpers already established a reputation for the hearts of his contributors, and other day. Jean McFaddin, Macy's
LolsM Clermont, Regional Editor
Robert G Goett, Sports Editor
. _
they total $1,413,748 or 50 percent of deserve more credit that you can going his own way on issues before he/will strive mightily to outdo parade director, explained to us
Helen McLeod, Family Life Editor
,',
the budget raised by taxes. A zero give. Leave the county home as it is. his committee, refusing to make himself in the campaign spending that more than 2,000 Macy's
William C. Lundquest, Advertising Director
employees and their families man
Lyman G Bi 'lo, Retail Advertising Manager
tax rate is very deceiving.
Don't be sorry later. And now $5,000 cuts as deeply as the president department.
Oatus J. Clark, Circulation Manager
One knowledgeable Republican the floats, operate the marching
If you live in Champlain Park for snowmobile trails where you wanted in such domestic social proLeonard P Ledoux, Distribution Center Supervisor
grams as food stamps. And Dole close to such matters suggests that puppets, work with police, act as
Donald C George. Controller
your special district tax next year could save money, also.
Edward C Webber. Press foreman
will be $10.04 per thousand of assessEdmund Manley was an architect of the summer tax Helms intends to.double his expen- clowns, serve as mechanics and so
E Kenneth Tusa, Photo Composition Supervisor
ed valuation. So if your home is
Plattsburgh increase, which the president was * ditures of 1978, and that his probable forth on Thanksgiving day. The fat
forced reluctantly to embrace under opponent, Gov. James Hunt, will turkey which leads the parade alone
Published daily each morning except Sundays and assessed at $30,000, your tax just for
certain holidays at 170 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh,
spend about half of that, still no requires a crew of six inside, to
duress.
the
town
will
be
$300.
Then
add
the
N Y Telephone M l 2)00 Second class postage paid
at Plattsburgh, New York 12W1 The Press- county tax rate of-$7 per thousand
A White House source predicts mean shakes. All of which means manipulate its head and various
Republican is published by- the Plattsburgh
which
makes
$210.
Your
total
tax
that
Dole will submit a budget alter- the North Carolina Senate race will parts.
Daily
Devotion
Publishing Company Division of Ottaway,
The parade will not, however,
Newspapers, inc
would be $510 for the year. At a time
native to counter the president's in cost about $20 million, or nearly $4
National Advertising Representative Branham
March, in an effort to enhance his for every man,~woman, child, and feature a floating E.T., the most
Newspaper Sales, 733 Third Avenue, New York, New when we are in a recession our
popular children's hero of the
York 10017, Area Code 212 490 1200
elected officials take a 10 percent in- How shall we sing the Lord's own stature at the president's ex- pet gerbil in the state.
•••
Subscription rates by U S Mall I7I.50 one year; crease in salary just to show us they songs in a strange land? — Psalm
season. McFaddin said that it takes
pense.
"Dole
wants
to
be
president,
144.30 six months; 127.50 three months. (Mall rates not
On Thanksgiving day, some 100 roughly a year to produce a balloon,
applicable In areas served by carrier or motor have our best interest at heart.
137:4
and he thinks the way to get there is
delivery). Rates for all other places and special out-of
Almost every other town held
Sinful communities consume our to tear down Reagan," the aide million Americans will be glued to- from the preliminary legal work
town servicemen rates on request
firm on the salaries of the elected of- energies. Christians often need the noted sarcastically. "How am- their television sets watching one of through design and manufacture;
ficials. We should keep a sharper warmth and strength of a religious bitious is he for the White House? the world's most famous parades. the popular movie about the friendThe 56th annual three-hour Macy's ly little extraterrestrial opened only
On a scale of 100, he's a 200."
eye on our elected officials and enviornment.
The increasing tension between parade in Manhattan this year this summer. Furthermore, she
Dole and the White House has made features four new mammoth floats said, the parade likes to feature only
DOONESBURY
life uncomfortable for his: wife, and two new four-story tall balloons, children's classics, instantly
by Garry Trudeau Elizabeth,
a member of the presi- in addition to its usual complement recognizable through the generaSIR IGOTTA TBLL YOU, _H0U>0N
dent's
senior
staff. White House of roughly 100 bands, clowns, and tions; E.T. isn't old enough to have
MMAD,- -WIIKB-W
proven his staying power. She's
HE'S
OUTAMI
VH-WH.I
aides
would
like
to ease her out, but other entertainment units.
mmawts'
LOPBAN,. MAmtwuLP
WK5,LAY
RA6EOUS!
mm
SMPONY
waiting for the sequel.
The
helium
newcomers
are
itemmtMstm m.imt.•IT
m,cmiNA
don't
want
an
open
breach
with
her
TOPLAV,, WTB5AC0UP?
ON HIM!
motlTTA HB6A& S&ANY
Woody Woodpecker and Olive Oyl,
King Features Syndicate
husband,
through
whose
committee
i imU51WN6/W
H&SAW? MLMARJY
HZPWF?
I5JHIBMANA
H&E.Y0U GfidAT Mm ON
r
PUVHERSeUr
Am
you
important
administration
programs
liMHOTKUE-VlHG
mBtST
.MANIAC!
flmM?7iemt.
YOORCA&TcoMfiam
FORPEAI*
must pass, "She's a problem," a
' /WEARS! „
FOP. LAST!
I
jr&toL
...
'MANIAC?
presidential advisor confided. "She
Lightside
pushes her husband's agenda in-_
stead of ours."
•••
If at first you don't succeeed you
If you expect to encounter
The right wing's chief Tpear car,* are about average.
courtesy from other drivers try
rier, Jesse Helms, raised roughly
driving a police car.
***
$7.5 million to hang on to his North
•••
The trouble with being handy with
Carolina Senate seat four years ago, your hands is that you will soon
•THe-true test of personality if you
a shocking sum that at the time was learn that.your neighbors are in- were-someone elsecould you stand
the most expensive: Senate cam* capable of doing anythingS
yourself.
paign in history. He set a financial
To the Editor
from authoritative sources. Others
state that it is the first new IQ in
almost 50 years. They say that
KABC is fashioned.to measure a
purer form of "menial processing
ability."
Doleful state of affairs
J
~—is^fr