The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-03-14
The First National Thanksgiving.

The following is George Washington's
proclamation calling for a " national Thanks
giving" The population of the United
States at that time was about 100000. 1t
is now about 600C0,0O0. The proclamation
will, no doubt, be read with Interest,"
when we review the calamities which
afflict so many other nations, the pres
ent condition of the United States af-
fords much matter of consolation and
satisfaction Our exemption hitherto from
foreign war, an increasing prospect of
the continuance of that exemption, the
great degree of internal tranquility we have
enjoyed, the recent confirmation of that
tranquility by the suppression of an insur-
rection which so wantonly threatened it,;
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
indication of the divine beneficence toward
us. In such a state of things it is in an
especial manner our duty as people, with
devout reverence and affectionate gratitude,
to acknowledge our many and great obliga-
tions to Almighty God and to implore him
to continue and confirm the blessings we
experience. Deeply penetrated with this
sentiment I, George Washington, president
of the United States do recommend to all re-
ligious societies and denominations, and to
all persons whomsOever within the United
States to set apart and observe Thursday,
public Thanksgiving and prayer, and on
that day to meet together and render sincere
and hearty thanks to the great Ruler of
nations for the manifold and signal merces
which distinguish our lot as a nation-par-
ticularly 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 do
nestle: for the reasonable control which
has been given to spirit of disorder in the
suppression of the late instruction, and
generally for the prosperous condition OF
our affairs, public and private; and at the
same time humbly and fervently to beseech
the kind Author of these blessings graciously
to prolong them to us; to imprint on our
hearts deep and solemn sense of our
obligations to him for them; to teach us
rightly to estimate their immense value; tC
preserve us from the arrogance of prosperity
and from hazarding the advantages we en-
Joy by delusive pursuits to dispose us to
merit the continuance of his favors by not
abusing them, by our gratitude for them
and by corresponding conduct as citizens
and as men; to render this country more
and more a safe and proptious asylum fol
the unfortunate of other countries; to eX
tend among us true and useful knowledge
to diffuse and establish habits of sobrety
order, morality and piety; and, finally, to i'm
part all the blessings we possess or ask fol
ourselves to the whole family of mankind.
"In testimony whereof | have caused the
seal of the United States of America to b,
affixed to these presents and signed tn,
same with my hand. Done at the city Of
Philadelphia the first day Of January, 1875
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
"By the President;
"EDM, RANDOLPH"