The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-11-17
In which.


cOmmander-in-Chef.
IL is therefore recommended to the several States
to set apart the THIRTEENTH DAY Of DECEMBER next,
to be religiously observed as day Of THANKSGIVING
that day. with grateful hearts to celebrate the praises
OF our Gracious Benefactor; to confess our manifold
SINS to offer up our most fervent suppllcatons to the
God OF all grace-that 1t may please him to pardon
our oences and incline our hearts for the future TO
Keep his aws-to comfort and relieve al our breth-
rem who are in distress or captvity-to prosper our
nusDandmen, and give success TO all engaged IN
to our counseors, Judgment and forttude to our
oilcers and soldiers-to protect ana prosper our
illusrlous ally, and favor our united eXeruons ior
lasting peace-to bless all seminares OF learning
and cause the ko,rledge of God to couer the earth as
Done in Congress this twenty-sixth day of october,
in the year OF our Lord one thousand seven hun
dred and eghty-one, and in the sixth year Of the
independence of the United States OF America.
THOMAS M'KEAE, President.
Attest-CHARLEs THOMSON, Secretary.
Other Revolutionary ThanISsgivIngs.
At the conclusion of the war; Congress set apart
The second Thursday OF December, t7s3 for thanks
giving, account Of the cessation Of all hostiities
by sea and land"
Thursday, October 10, 1881, was subsequently
chosen by committee OF the delegates of the States
then assembled in the Constitutional Convention,
for returning thanks for the general pacincation
which then prevailed throughout the world and par
ticularly on account of the "dehnitive treaty OF
peace between the United States of America and his
Britannia Majesty, whereby q finishing touch was
put to the great work of peace, and the freedom,
sovereignty and independence OF these States fully
and completely established"
on Thursday, November 26, 1899, another national
Thanksgiving was Observed on the recommendation
of Congress.
nation, February 10, 1898.
Congress being, hitherto, the supreme executive,
as well the supreme legislative branch of the Gov
ernment it had fallen within its sphere to establish
the national Thanksgiving. But, during the Pres-
dency of Washington the suppression Of the Whisky
Rebellion in Western Pennsylvania was considered
by him occasion which warranted similar
observance. He therefore set apart Thursday,
February 10, 1885, as a day OF Thanksgiving "for
the seasonabe control which had been given to a
spirit OF discord in the suppression of the late nsur
recton."
THANKSGIVING for the Close of the War of f1SI2
The close of the second war with Great Britain
also recognized by the Dational authorities
appropriate occasion for the return OF thanks by
the entire nation. President Madison therefore, by
request of Congress- set apart the second Thursday
in April, 1885, as a day of thanksgiving mOre espe-
ciay for the restoration Of the blessings OF peace"
| From that date up to the outbreak of the late
| Southern Rebellion, we believe there were no regu-
| lar Thanksgiving days recommended by national
authority The nation at times, was called upon to
engage in fasting and prayer for the averting Of
threatened disasters.
During this interval some of the States especially
| in New England, observed yearly thanksgvings by
| procamations IN each particular Commonwealth
| but the day was not universally kept until the
National ThanKssvihngIs h,Is,d During the Great Re-
II the American people had reason to be truly
thankful for the interposton Of Providence in their
national affairs, it surely for the glorious victo-
| res which our armies achieved from time to time
over the forces of slavery and secession. Mr. Lin
coin clearly recognized this fact and soon as the
loyal troops had obtained a substantial success he
issued proclamation for this purpose. 1t bore the
date Of April TO- 1862, and appointed the Sunday
following its receipt as day of thanksgiving for the
victories of Mill Spring. Fort Donelson, Pittsburg
Landing, and Pea Ridge. The remembrance OF
these events is still fresh il the mind of every loyal
man, and 1t needs no word OF to recall the
heartfelt gratitude with which the loyal nation then
| bowed I'm prayer and thanks
| Mr. Lncons next proclamation Of this character
| fixed Thursday, the 9th OF August, 1868, as 'day
for national thanksgiving praise, and prayer" for
the signal victories Of Gettysburg and Vicksburg
achieved on the previous anniversary OF our national
| independence.
| Thursday, November 2S, 1864, the next national
| festival OF the kind, was an occasion OF mingled
fasting and prayer, as well as OF thanksgiving; as
the President then requested the people to ''oer uI
penitent and fervent prayers and supplications tC
the Great Disposer of Events for return Of the ines
| timable blessings of peace union and harmony
throughout the land, which it has pleased Him tt
assign a dweling-place for ourselves and for ou
posterity throughout all generations"
The custom thus happily inaugurated by his prede
cessor was followed by Mr.. johnson, on his acces
sion to the Presidential chair. In his proclamation
setting apart Thursday, the 7th of December 1865,
a day of National Thanksgiving, he enumerated th'
following as among the blessings for which TIN
nation should be truly thankful TO an al-mercifu
God-
'It has pleased Almighty God, during the yea
which is now coming to an end, to relieve our be
loved cou ntry from the fearful scOurge OF civil
and to permit us to secure the blessings OF peace
unity, and harmony, with great enlargement o
civil liberty.
sour Heavenly Father has also, during the year
graciously averted from us the calamity OF foreig
war, pestilence, and famine, while our granaries ar
full OF the fruits OF an abundant season"
And as a crowning argument for the observanc
OF this time-honored custom. he recalled the maXir
that righteousness eXalteth u nation, while sin
a reproach to any people
In the following year, President Johnson called fc
the observance of the goth day OF November, 1866
The special blessings OF the year were summed u
in the contemporary proclamation Of Governo
Curtin.
The people OF the Commonwealth were called upo
TO 'make their humble thank offering to Almight
God for His blessings during the past year.
''For the abundant gathered fruits OF the earth
"For the thus far continued activity OF industry.
''For the general preservation OF heal tn.
"And especially for that in His divine mercy II
hath stayed the threatened pestence."
From that time to this the Executive has col
tinued uninterruptedly the custom first naugurate
by President Lincoln. President Grants proclam
ton for the present year we append, as appropria
in this connection:-
Thanksgiving ProGlamatio1 s by the Preside'