The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-04
WHY THEY GAVE THANKS.
The Reasons Set Forth by the Various
Governors.
CONTINUED TOMORROW

Once year there IL an exchange OF Off
clal utterances and documents among the
Governors of the states ard territories.
IL is an exchange of Thanksgiving procla-
nations. Governor Morton has already
received 2S in return for the engraved
copies OF bis own proclamation which
were sent all over the country. There is
a curious local flavor about them.
Massachusetts presents the largest, Q
regular poster, 24x19 inches, OF plain
white paper, on which, in full face capi-
atls, Governor Greenhalge procaims No
VEN Der % as "a day OF solemn thanks
giving ana praise TO 1.-The Lord "The
voice OF Massachusetts, I" he says. "shoJId
be heard in praise and Thanksgiving for
the blessings and mercies of the year. ~
The name of God occurs six times in the
proclamation, although but one text
rom the Scripture Is quoted. The early
religious fervor that characterized Puri-
tan New England is preserved in this
proclamation.
The proclamation OF Governor William
p. Lord of the State of Oregon is a small.
business-like document, printed on the
third page of an ordinary sheet of note
paper, very much like the circular letters
sent out by business firms announcing
that they have laid in q new stock OF fail
goods and solicit patronage. In ii Cover
nor Lord, "in accordance with the proc
lamation of the President of the United
States, ana in compliance with q time
honored CUSTOM" designates the day.
lie recommends people TO devote the day
"to the enjoyment OF hospitality snc the
reunion of families, to cuitivating a high
sense of duty as well as gathering 10
give thanks. The proclamation OF Gov
ernor Eiss Carr OF North Carolina is
printed on largev sheet of note paper,
and bears q copy OF the seal of the state.
1t is Characteristic Of both the new and
the old South. 1t mentions, among rea-
sons for thankfnlness, the fact that "the
prices OF raw materials have advanced
industrial progress has been awakened in
our midst and the future looks brighter
than the past few years OF disaster and
want In another paragraph he says:
"This State has ever been the home OF
freedom and of virtuous ana noble peo-
pie, ;" and closes with an appeal for the
wounded and needy soldier"
South Carolina's proclamation by Gov
ernor John Gary Evans is printed in ma
roon-colored ink, and enumerates among
the causes for thankfulness 'the marked
progress OF religion, education, ana tenn
perance reforms - Governor Henry l..
Mitchell of Florida makes a proclamation
OF the stereotyped form. No special bless
ings are noted. Ii is printed on single
sheet in blue ink. Governor William A.
MacCorkle of West Virginia has his proc
lamation printed on a large single sheet
in script, and declares that sour State
has much TO be thankful for during thu
past year. The harvpst5 hsve=been abun-
ant, health has dwelt in our mountains
and valleys, prosperity TO an almost un-
precedented extent has continued within
our borders, the State is being developed
most rapidly, our schools, the foundation
of our prosperity, are most fourishing,
and are more largely attended than ever. "
Virginia's Governor, Charles II. O'Fer-
rail-, issues a proclamation surrounded
by a border of blue sunflowers. and in
PRODUCES his designation of the day thus:
Sin conformity with custom estab-
lished by the founders OF the republic,
who builded better than they knew. the
President of the United States has set
apart, ETC." Continuing, Governor
OiFerrall is n trife ambiguous on the
matter of "grave."
He says, "None should more devoutly
unite than the people of this State, in
whose keeping are the graves of the
leading statesmen and soldier in the
Revolution from which sprang this
Union. ever reminding them OF the
heroic struggle which, through the good
ness of God, was crowned with vic
tory"
Gov. }. NJ Stone finds cause for thank
fulncss in the restoration uf peace and
quiet 10 the state of Mississippi. Cover
nor Urban 4. Woodbury. OF Vermont only
deals in the usual phrases of a Thanks.
giving proclamation, and SO do Governor
Henry u. Cleaves OF Maine, Governor
George 4. Werts of New Jersey. Governor
John T.. Jones OF Nevada, whose procla-
nation Is encompsssed by silver-colored
lines and with the seal OF the State oil
silvered over. Governor Daniel N. Has
tings OF Pennsylvania makes his proCla-
nation an invocation throughout.
Governor James Shoakley OF Alaska
prefaces his designation OF the day by
declaring that "the population has re-
ceived large additions by immigration, the
mining-and fishing industries have been
abbundantlv rewarded, education, civil
lizai on. and Christian influences more
widely dinused, and the settlers In this
uew rUuntrv -re ifs,sef.44 ssH44- -eeHteHte.4. Il
The proclamation OF Governor William
j. Mcconnell of the State of Idaho, like
that OF Oregon. looks like All ordinary
circnIar letter OF n business firm. IL IL
very tsrse. aud states IN a inatter-oi-iact
way, that, "In recognition of senti-
ment sscred TO ail Christian rcorlc and
In accordance with section 10 of the he
yised statutss. heroDy proclaim ? hanks-
giv ng bay legal holiday Ia equally
terse phrase he recommends that the
a