The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-11-30
The First National ThanI.sgivlng

The following Is George Washington's
proclamation calling for a "Natioual
Thanksgiving" II Wsl issued to 1000.
900 Of people. The recent proclamation
issued BY President Hayes WaS responded
10 yesterday by 100000. This inter.
esling document reatls as follows:
When We review the calamities that
atHiet 30 many other nations, the presen'
condition Of the United States affords
much matter ot consolation and satlsfsC.
ton. Our exemption hitherto from
foreign war; an increasing prosp pect Of the
continuance Of that ekemption-the great
degree ot internal tranquility we have en-.
joyed-the recent confirmation Of that
tranquility by the suppression Of an In.
lurTectiOn which 30 wantonly threatened
it--tbe happy course Of our public affairs
In general-Ihe unexampled prosperity
Of all classes Of our Citizena-afe circum-
stances which peculiarly mark our stu.
alton with indication Of the Divine bene.
tieence towards Us. In such state Of
things il il in an especial manner our
duty as people, with reverence and Al.
fectionate gratitude, TO acknowledge our
many and great obligations TO Almighty
God, and 10 implore Him to continue and
confirm the blessings We experience.
Deeply penetrated with this sentiment,
l, George Washington, President Of the
United States, do recommend 10 all re.
ligious societies and denominations and
to all persons whomsoeyer, within The
United SlateS, 10 set apart and observe
ThurSday, the 18th day Of February next,
as day of public thanksgiving and
prayer, and on that day 10 meet together
and render sincere and hearty thanks TO
the Great Ruler Of nations for the mani
fold and signal merCies which distinguish
our lot a. nation-particularly for the
possession Of constitutions Of government
which unite, and by their union establish,
liberty with order; for the preservation
Of our peace, foreign and domestic; for
the reasonable control which haa been
given to 4 spirit Of disorder in the sup.
preston Of the late insurrectiou, and
generally for the prosperous condition oil
our affairs, public and private; and at the
same time humbly and iervently to be.
seech the kind Author Of these blessings
graciously to prolong them to us; 10 i'm.
printon our hearts deep and solemn sense
OF our obligations 10 Him for them; to
teach us rightly to estimate their i'm.
mense value; 10 preperye ns from tue ar.
rogance Of prosperity, and from hazard.
ing the advantages We enjoy by delusiVe
pursuits; to dispose us to merit the con.
linuance Of His favors by not abusing
them, by our gratitude for them, and BY
a corresponding conduct AZ citizens and
as men; to render this country more and
more propitioua asylum Tor the unfor.
tunate Of other countries, to extend
among US true and useful knowledge, to
ditfuse and establish habits Of pobr iety,
order, morality, and piety, and finally to
imp1rt all the blessings we possess or ask
for ourselves to the whole family Of man
kind.
In testimony whereof have caused the
seal OF the United States Of America to
be affixed to these presents. and signed
the same with my hand. Done at the
city Of Philadelphia, the lst day Of jan
uary, 1895. GEORGE WAsHiSGToX.
BY the President.
EDH. RANDOLPH.