Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-22
By THE
PEESID ESr
on rHH
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
A p2OCI


knowledge the Providence of Almighty God to
obey his Viii, to be grateful for his Benefits,
and humbly to implorc his Protection and Fa-
YOUR: And whereas both houses of Congress
have. by their join: Committee, requested me
TO recommend to the People OF the UNITED
STATES, Day of PUBLIC IHANKsGIvING and
PRAYER. to be observed by acknowledge with
grateful Hearts the many Signal FayoErs Of
Almighty God. especially by affording them an
opportunity peaceably to establish a Form of
Government for their Safety and Happiness
Now. THEREFORE,. do recommend and assign
THURSDAY, THE 26FK DAY OF NOVEMBER next to
be devoted by the people OF these States. to the
Service of that great and glorious Being, who
is the beneticent Author of all the good that
was, that Is. or that will be: That VIC may
then all unite in rendering unto him our sim
cere and humble thanks for his kind Care and
Protection of the People of this Country pre-
vlous to their becoming q Nation;-for the signal
and manifold MercIcs. and the favourable Inter-
positions of hIs Providence in the Course &
Conclusion of the late WARRIOR the great De-
gree of Tranquility, Union and Plenty which
we have since enjoyed;-for the peaceable and
rational Manner in which we have been enabled
to establish Constitutions of Government for our
Safety and Happiness, and particularly the ma
tional one now lately instItuted;-for the civil
and rell5 iouS Liberty with which We are blessed
and the means we have of acquiring and diffus-
ing useful knowledge;-and IN general, for all
the great and various Favours which he hath
been pleased to confer upon u.s.
ASD Also. that We may then unite in most
hum5ly Offering our Prayers and supplications
to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations. and
beseech him to pardon orr National and other
Transgressions;-to enable us ALL whether in
public or private Stations, to perform our sew
eral and relative Duties properly and pune
tually;-to render our national Government n
Blessing to all the people, by constantly beng
a government OF wise, just and constitutional
Laws. directly and faithfully executed and
obcyed;- protect and guide all Soyereigns
and nations. Especially such as have shown
kindness to u.s. and to bless them with good
Government. Peace and Concord;-to promote
the knowledge and Practice of true Religion
and Virtue. and the increase of Science among
them and us;--and generally to grant unto all
Mankind such degree of Temporal Prosperity
as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my Hand. at the CITY of New
York. the third Day OF October in the wear of
our Lord One Thousand, Seven Hundred and
eighty nine. q. WASHINGTON.
HOW IT rs DONE.
In writing Thanksgiving proclamation the
President makes Il draft of wha. no wishes to
say. Such high official as he Is cannot afford
the time to make pretty copies Of his letters.
He simply scrawls what he thinks ought to be
sald with corrections and amendments here
and there, and, after tho wording has satisfied
him. he hands 1t over to a clerk to DO copied in
proper sHEpe. his LAX copy Is sent over to
the Department of State to be enSrossed and
tho enGrossed transcript is sent back to the
White House for the Presidents signature.
Next 1t goes to tho Secretary OF State to be
countersigned, and now the paper is ready to
have the great seal of tho United States
affixed to it.
The affixing Of this seal IL momentous af-
fair. A warrant for i. must have been preyi-
ously obtained from and signed by the Presi-
dent You can see, il you like. the machine
itself at the Department OF State, and you may
even be shown a sample of the stamp 1t makes,
but you will not on any account be permitted to
take away an imprint because it would never
do to have so precious and important stamp
| distributed vulgarly around. Tiffany, the New
York jeweler, made the great seal, and it il a
wonder Of exquisite workmanship.
To return to the point. however. The procla-
nation having been made entirely formal and
authentic by the addition of the seal, copies are
taken of it by clerks and one is sent to each OF
the states and territories, addressed to the gov
ernOrs. whose duty il is to promulgate the
ukase among the people. In this way every
one in the country - made aware to the day
for the celebration OF which they should buy
their turkeys. 1t ought to be suggested, Incl
dentally, that the gibiets should not be thrown
| away, because they are swfully good in the
gravy.