Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-12-08
The First National Thanksgiving Proclamation

1t is often supposed and said, that Presi-
dent Lincoln was the first TO proclaim
National Thanksgiving day. That i a mis-
take. Washington. in the first year Of his
Presidency, issued the following proclama-
tiOn
Where's, 1t 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 inplore His protection
and favor: and whereas, both houses of
Congress have, by their joint committee, re-
quested me TO recommend 10 the people Of
the United States day of public thanksgiv
ing and prayer. to be observed by acknOwl-
ing with grateful hearts the many and sig
raj favors of Almighty God, especially 10y
afording them an opportunity OF peaceably
establishing form OF government for their
safety and happiness. Now, therefore, ! do
recommend and asst IN Thursday, the twen
ty-sixth Of November next, to be devoted by
the people OF these states TO the service Of
the great and glorious Being who is the be-
nchcent Author of ali the good that
was. that Is, that will be. That We
then all unite in rendering unto Him our
sincere and humble thanks for His kind
country previous TO its becoming nation;
TOR the signal and manifold mercies. and
the favorable interpOsition of His PrOvi-
dence in the course and conclusion Of the
late war for the great degree Of tran
guilty, union, and plenty which we have
since enjoyed for the peaceable and ration
al manner in which We have been enabled
to establish constitutions Of government Tor
our safety and happiness, and particularly
the national one more lately instituted for
civil and religious liberty with which We
are blessed. and the means We have of ae-
quiring and diffusing useful knowledge, and
general for all the great and various
fayors which He hath been pleased TO confer
upon Us And also that we may then unite
in most humbly Offering our prayers and
supplications to the great Lord and Ruler
Of nations, and beseech Him to pardon
our national and other trausgressiOns :;
to enable Us all, whether IN public or
private stations, to perform our several
and national duties properly and pru-
dently; to render our national government
a blessing TO all people, constantly being
a government of wise, just and constitutional
laws, discreetly and faithfully executed
and obeyed to protect and guide all
sovereigns and nations 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 among US; and generally to grant
unto all mankind such degree of temporal
prosperity as lie alone knows - be best
Given under my hand, at the city of New
York. the third day Of October, in the year
Of our Lord. one thousand seven hundred
and eighty nine.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
1t NAV be remembered that when Presi-
dent Lincoln first issued his national
Thanksgiving proclamation, the Democratic
press almost universally denounced him.
Thanksgiving, they insisted, was purely a
matter Of State concern, with which the
| Federal government had nothing to do, and
the giving it national significance was
denounced ss an invasion of State rights,
and as indicating contempt for the limlta-
tions of the Federal constitution. But that
view of the case has not prevailed, and the
day, thosgh not observed in all the States,
has fairly taken Its place a national
festival.