Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1871-12-20
AN OLD DOCUMENT,
Washington's First Thanksgiving Procla-
mation-something for Grant and his

ashlngt0n's FIRST thanksgiving PrOcla-
mation-somcthing for Grant and hi,
Cabinet TO study.
ALBANY, Dec. |, 1871.
To the Editors of the ". Y. Express
Tho New York Times, of November
30, remarks; at is a gratifying fact
that Thanksgiving Day is becoming
n national holiday, Ii is worth re,
membering that the custom OF the
President setting aside special day
for Thanksgiving was introduced by
President Lincoln"
For the enlightment of the Times
and the JeHGft Of the administration, !
ask you to insert the enclosed study
for Grant, his Cabinet and the entire
Republican party.
A keener rebuke than this procla.
nation Of tho Father of his Country
can not be administered to the shoddy
thioving, ring now administering the
Government, b. W.
GEN. wAsuINGToN's FIRST THANKsGIv.
ING PROCLAMATION.
By the President of the United States
Of Amcrica-A Proclamation.
Whereas, ii is the duty of all nations
TO acknowledge the Providence OF
Almighty God, to obey his will, to be
grateful for his benefits, and humbly
implore his protection and favor; and
whereas, both Houses Of Congress
have, by their Joint Committee, re.
quosted me to recommend to the peo-
pie of the United States day of Pub
lie Thanksgiving and Prayer, to be
observed by acknowledging with
grateful hearts tho many and signal
favors of Almighty God, especially by
atfording them an opportunity of
peaceaby establishing a form of gov
ornment for their safety and happi,
ness.
Now, therefore, DO recommend
and assign Thursday, tho twenty
sixth day of November next, to be de.
voted by the people of these States to
the service Of the great and glorious
Being who is the benefcient author
of all tho good that was, that is, that
will be. That we then will unite in
rendering unto Him our sincere and
humble thanks for His kind care and
protection of the people of this coun-
try previous to its becoming nation
for the signal and manifest mercies
and the favorable interpretations of bis
Providence in the course and conclu.
sion of the late war; for the great
degree of tranquility, union, and
plenty which we have since enjoyed /;
Tor the peaceabe and rational manner
in which we have been enabled to es.
tablish constitutions of government
for our safety and happiness, and
particularly the national one more
lately instituted; for civil and reli.
gious liberty with which We are blessed
and the means we have Of acquiring
and ditlusing useful knowledge, and ia
general for all the great and various
favors which He hath been pleased to
confer upon u.s. And also that we
may then unite in most humbly offer
ing our prayers and suppIications to
the great Lord and Ruler of nations,
and bcseech Him to pardon our ma.
tional and other transgrcssions to
enable us all, whether public or pri.
vate stations, to perform our several
and national duties properly and pru.
IDENTIFY to render our national gov.
ernment blessing to all people, con.
stantly being Il government Of wise,
just, and constitutional laws discreetly
and faithfully executed and obeycd /;
to protect and guide all sovereigns
(and especially such as have shown
kindness unto us), and bless them
with good government, peace and
concord to promote the knowledge
of true religion and virtue, and the
increase of science amongst us and
generally to grant unto all mankind
such n degree of temporal pros.
perity as lie alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of
New York, October Sd, in the year
Of our Lord 1889.