Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-11-29
The First Thanksgiving.

The following is the first procla-
nation ever issued calling for a Ma
tional Thanksgiving. 1t was issued by
George Washington to 4,000,0 900 of peo-
pie, less that one-tenth as many as re-
sponded to the one issued by President
Hayes:
"When we review the calamities
that af3lict so many other nations. the
present condition of the United States
affords much matter of consolation and
satisfaction. Our exemption hitherto
from foreign war; an increasing pros
pect of the continuance of that exemp-
tion-the great degree of internal tran
guilty we have enjoyed the recent
confirmation of that tranquility by the
suppressionOf an insurrection which so
wantonly threatened 1.-THE happy
course of our public affairs in general
the unexampled prosperity of all classes
of our citizens-are circumstances
which peculiarly mark our situation
with indications of the Divine benefi-
cence toward us. In such a state of
things it is in an especial manner our
duty as people, with reverence and
affectionate gratitude, to acknowledge
our many and great obligations to Al
mighty God, and to implore Him to
continue and confirm the blessing we
experience.
Deeply penetrated with this senti-
ment, /, George Washington, President
Of the United States, do recommend to
all the religious societies and denomi-
nations, and to all persons whomsoever,
within the United States, to set apart
and observe Thursday, the 18th day of
February next, as day of public
thanksgiving and prayer, and on that
day meet together and render sincere
and hearty thanks to the Great
Ruler of nations for the manifold and
signal mercies which distinguish our
lot as anation-particularly fol the pos
session of constitutions of government
which unite, and by their union estab-
lish liberty with order; for the preser-
vation of our peace, foreign and do
mestic; for the reasonable control which
has been given to spirit of disorder in
the suppression of the late insurrection
and generally for the prosperous con-
dition of our affairs, public and private
and at the same time humble and fer
vently to beseech the kind Author of
these blessings graciously to prolong
them to us; Ito imprint on our hearts deep
and solemn sense of our obligations to
Him for them; to teach us rightly to es-
innate their immense value; to preserve
us from the arrogance of prosperity,
and from hazzarding the advantages
we enjoy by delusive pursuits; to dis
pose us to merit the continuance of His
favors by not abusing them, by our
gratitude for them, and by CORE
spending conduct as citizens and as
men; to render this country more and
more aprOpitious asylum for the unfort-
unate of other countries, to extend
among us true and useful knowledge,
to diffuse and establish habits of So
briefly, order, morality, and piety, and
finally to impart all the blessings we
possess to ask or ourselves to the
whole family of mankind.
In testimony thereof, l have caused
the seal of the United States of Ameri-
ca to be affixed to these presents, and
signed the same with my hand. Done
at the city of Philadelphia, the 1st of
January 1895.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
By the President: EDM. RANDOLPH.