No one ever knew who made the great suggestion, but
it is probable that it was one of these officials, well
acquainted with the charter of the city of Boston and
with its constitution and by-laws, who offered the
proposal which was adopted. In the jealousy of the
fierce democracy of Boston in the year 1820, when the
present city charter was made, it reserved for itself
permission to open Faneuil Hall at any time for a public
meeting. It proves now that whenever fifty citizens
unite to ask for the use of the hall for such a meeting,
it must be given to them. At the time of which we are
reading the mayor had to preside at every such meeting.
At the "Cops'" club it was highly determined that the
names of fifty citizens should at once be obtained,
and that the Cradle of Liberty should be secured for the
general Thanksgiving.
It was wisely resolved that no public notice should
be given of this in the journals. It was well known that
that many-eyed Argus called the press is very apt not to
interfere with that which is none of its business.
VII
And thus it happened that, when Thanksgiving Day came,
the worthy janitor of Faneuil Hall sent down his
assistant to open it, and that the assistant, who meant
to dine at home, found a good-natured friend from the
country who took the keys and lighted the gas in his
place.
Pages:
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332