With apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien and the members of the Pennsylvania delegation to the Continental Congress, 1777.
Time: December 17, 1777
Place: Valley Forge, PA; tent of General Washington; the commons, before the Standard
Dramatis Personae: General George Washington, commander of the Continental Army; James McHenry, General Washington’s secretary; Grimma Wormtongue, attorney for the ACLU
General Washington [writing]: Tomorrow being the day set apart by the honorable Congress for Public Thanksgiving and praise, and duty calling us devoutly to express our grateful acknowledgments to God for the manifold blessings he has granted us, the general directs … that the chaplains perform divine service…
[a knock interrupts, General Washington’s secretary enters]
McHenry: General, a Mr. Wormtongue insists on seeing you immediately.
Washington: What does he want?
McHenry: He says he has a letter from the Pennsylvania delegates to the Continental Congress declaring that any proclamation of thanksgiving cannot make reference to God.
Washington: [stunned silence, then] Show him in.
Wormtongue: General Washington. Thank you for seeing me. I have here a letter enjoining you—
Washington: Give it to me, sir. [Washington reads] I also have these men’s signatures on a proclamation to be read from the Continental Congress giving thanks to God for our victories and asking The Almighty to intercede on our just behalf. How do you then give me this?
Wormtongue: I met with the gentlemen privately and convinced them it would impose an undue coercion upon those who do not hold your—or their—Judeo-Christian religious beliefs, and persuaded them to urge you to issue a non-religious statement of gratitude.
Washington: Who then would you have us express gratitude to, if not to the Providential Hand of the Most High God? I have my authorization and your plea has no virtue. Mr. McHenry? See this man from the camp.
[December 18, in the commons before the Standard, the army assembled. We laggards come in late…]
Washington: …for solemn thanksgiving and praise. That with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their Divine Benefactor;… and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them (their manifold sins) out of remembrance… ”
[fade]
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
As a start. Then we could work on the rest of the year.
CLICK HERE for more.
And be sure to catch Jay’s Thanksgiving post at Stop the ACLU, as well as “Happy Thanksgiving, ACLU” at TMH’s Bacon Bits.
Crossposted at Stop the ACLU
Linked at Diane’s Stuff, TMH’s BAcon Bits, Don Surber’s After Hours’ “Anonymous Open Post” (heh), Pajamas Media/Stuck on Stupid, Robinik.net, Basil’s Thanks Giving” and Cao’s Blog
This was a production of Stop The ACLU Blogburst. If you would like to join us, please email Jay at Jay@stoptheaclu.com or Gribbit at GribbitR@gmail.com. You will be added to our mailing list and blogroll. Over 130 blogs already onboard.