The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-11-25
THANKSGIVING IDEAS
Expressed by the Governors of
Various States.
Governor Leedy's Proclamation
the Neatest and Best.
Wyoming's Governor Thinks Rever-
enca Not Necessary for Proper
Observation of the Day-A Re-
view of the Various
Docum ents.

Docum ents-
This is the season of the year when
the governors of the several states and
territories exchange cOurtesies. When
the original 10 states composed the
united colonies, the governors estab-
hshed a custom of exchanging Thanks
giving day proclamations, which were
filed away as mementos of the execu-
tive department. This custom has
been followed through all the years. as
the crowded vaults in the offices of the
various governors will testify. When
these proclamations are given to the
public, a copy is sent to the printer,
and a number sufficient to supply all
the state executives and a few of the
governors personal friends are printed
in circular form. They vary in shape,
style and appearance, as they do in
sentiment Soon after President Nc
Kinley issued his Thanksgiving day
proclamation, fixing the last Thursday
in November as a day of Thanksgiving
and prayer, the governors of the states
and territories, in obedience to the
long established CUSTOM issued their
prOclamatiOns, setting forth the rea-
sons why the people should be thank
full in this year of grace. In the eX-
ecutive office in Topeka one will find
interest and profit in perusing these
documents They are piled up on Gov.
Leedy's desk,as they are stacked about
the office of every governor OF the Uni
ted States.
President McKfnIey's Thanksgiving
day proclamation, which started the
mill to grinding all over the country,
does not differ in sentiment from those
of his predecessors. These are the rea-
sons given why the people of the ma
ton should be thankful:
Under Gods Watchful providence
industry has prospered, the condition
of labor has been improved, the re-
wards of the husbandman have been
increased and the comforts of our
homes multiplied. His mighty hand
has preserved peace and protected the
nation. Respect for law and order
have been strengthened, love of free
institutions cherished and all sections
of our beloved country brought into
closer bonds of fraternal regard and
generous cooperation"
Ihe clamatlon OF GOV stephens
of Missouri is a Thanksgiving gem.
This is what he has to say for his
state:
our great commonwealth, filed with
a larger population than belonged to
our whole country when our fathers
won national independence, can look
back over the rs years of statehood and
see the simple industries of the piO-
neers grown to the many diversified in
duStries which have made the
eighth state in wealth, as we are the
fifth in numbers and political power
in our great union"
Governor Mount of Indiana suggests
many reasons why his people should
be thankful. These are some of them:
The past year has been signaHy
crowned with loving kindness and ten
der mercies. Abundant crops and i'm
proved prices reward the husband
man. Labor now finds remUneratiVe
employment. The fires are burning
brightly in the furnaces of industry.
The wheels of commerce are in cease
less motion. Returning confidence and
business imDTOVRO1Rnf here
manifest. The rattle of reapers heard
in fertile fields has been echoed by the
whirl of wheels in busy factories, thus
emphasizing the important lesson of
mutual dependence and strengthen
ing the bonds of good will and concord.
A philanthropic spirit abides with our
people. The cause of education, which
is the anchor of safety to a govern
ment of the people, is continually be-
ing elevated to a higher standard of
excellence. Health prevails, smiling
plenty abOunds and hope animates our
citizens. The spirit of charity inspires
the hearts of our people to greater
zeal in their efforts to mitigate suffer
ing, relieve distress prevent crime, re-
form the fallen, provide homes for the
hOmeless-in short, to lift up humani-
ty, to make life happier, homes bright
er and the world better"
The people of Connecticut are con-
graduated by Gov. Cooke because the
present year has been one of bountiful
harvests."
he says. lie long continued Qe-
preston in business is being succeed
ed by returning hope, confidence and
assured prosperity for the nation. War
has been averted and the prospect of
continued peace hopeful Public and
private blessings innumerable have
been received, for which we should re-
turn earnest, heartfelt and devout
thanksgiving to God"
For more than a century the form of
the Massac husetts Thanksgiving day
proclamation has not been changed. It
is the largest in the lot, and resembles
in general appearance an advertise
nent of an auction sale. Across the
top is the line commonwealth of Mas
sachusetts" In the same condensed
type across the bottom is this SEN
tence: God save the commonwealth
of Massachusetts Governor Wolcott
says:
.'The people Of this commonwealth
still acknowledge. as did their fathers,
their dependence upon the beneficent
providence of Almighty God, and cher
fsh with piOuS observance the custom
of many generations to set apart a
day after the harvest has been gath
cred, for praise and Thanksgiving to