Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-12-13
WHAT THEY WERE THANKFUL FOR

i o0NJAmAN HARRISON,
WHAT THEY, WERE THANKFUL FOR
Excerpts from Number of Thanksgiving
Proclamations.
For many years it has been CUSTOM
airy for the governor of each state and
territory on issuing his Thanksgiving
proclamation, to send by mail q copy
TO every other executive, and these are
each year placed on file among other
public documents. Some of the proc
lamatlons are quite handsome, and
each bears the imprint of the great seal
OF the its respective state. Each docu-
ment shows something of the style of
work turned out in the office where the
state printing is done. It is curious to
note what the various states have to be
thankful for.
Gov. Mellete called on the people of
South Dakota to celebrate the states
nativity in connection with Thanksgiv-
ing day with holy praise and prayer
and patriotic song and story. to the
end that the young may be inspired
with lofty purpose and the aged glad
dened with the remembrance of work
we'll DONE"
The North Dakotans were recon-
mended to ask "for special blessing
upon us as a new state and pray that
her people may be ever found walking
in all his ways"
Gov. Thayer, of Nebraska, invited
those of all denominations, Jew and
Gentle, Catholic and Protestant, ma
tive and foreign, white and colored,"
to give thanks together and remember
the poor.
Gov. Francis, of Missouri, recon-
mended that in giving thanks to Provi-
dence for the abundance of the year,
the people "signaled their gratitude by
bestowing charity upon the poor and
performing other good works. }"
The governor of Massachusetts is
sued his proclamation on sheet of
paper the size of q circus poster, being
evidently determined that there should
be no excuse for overlooking the state.
Gov. Hoard, of Wisconsin, fixed the
day Sin conformity with this most fit
ting custom"
Gov. Shoup, Idaho, urged those who
have been blessed with an abundance
to remember the poor and destitute.
Contribute something to the needy
that they may not feel neglected, and
your Thanksgiving-day will be one to
which you can look back with happy
remembrance"
Gov. j. P. Eagle, of Arkansas, called
on the citizens to give thanks for en-
emption from storms and pestilence,
for abundant harvests and for the con-
tinuance ofpeacc and prosperity among
the people.
Florida was thankful that "the ep;-
demic which afflicted portion of the
state had been succeeded by year of
unsurpassed health, for the revival of
business and development of new in
dustries and resources.
Gov. Pennoyer, of Oregon, reminds
the good people Of this commonwealth
that no expression of gratitude can be
more acceptable to heaven than are
gifts from their abundance in aid of the
poor.
Gov. Ladd, of Rhode Island, made
q special request that "the sick, the
poor and the unfortunate be not for
gotten, but assisted to rejoice and be
made glad"
Wyoming observed the day Gin ac-
cordance with the custom established
by our forefathers."
Vermonters were asked to give
thanks to him whose mercy is new
every morning, whose faithfulness is
unto all generations, and who is nigh
unto all them that call upon him in
truth.
The governor of Arizona simply in
vited all "to lay aside their business
and celebrate the day in such manner
as each in his conscience may deem
right and proper"
Perhaps as unique proclamation rs
any was issued by Chief AIayes, of the
Cherokees. He said: Gas our fore
fathers, when natures children in pur-
suit OF game, around the council fire in
simplicity did give praise and thanks to
the Great Spirit in their yearly mystic
green corn dance for the return Of
his great gift to them the Indian corn
now, to-day, as q Christian nation OF
people, it is but meet that the Chero-
kee people should give thanks to the
Christian God for his continued pro-
lection to our tribe in the enjoyment OF
their government and homes, and that
through the many trials we had to pass
he has continued to bless our people.
It is but proper that we, as a nation,
should pause and give earnest thanks
to God that we have been permitted to
live in the enjoyment of this life and
the peace and prosperity that surrounds
u.s."