Omaha daily bee., 1898-11-20

u abpPNtu VII oSNobtt ss ~
the proclamation of l7s2 the day was
changed to November IS. and the last
Thanksgiving proclamation OF the revolu-
ton was reported to congress on October
Is. 1888, as follows:
whereas. II hath pleased the Supreme
Ruler OF all human events to dispose Of
the belligerent powers to put a period to
the efusion OF human blood by proclaim
ing a cessation Of all hostilities by sea and
land: and these United States are not only
happily rescued from the danger and ca
lamitses TO which they had been exposed so
long, but their freedom. sovereignty and in
dependence ultimately acknowledged; and
Whereas, In the progress OF a contest
on which the most essential rights Of hui
man nature depended, the interposition Of
Divine Providence in our favor hath been
most abundantly and most graclousiy mani
tested, and 70 all citizens is the cause for
praise and gratitude to the God OF their
salvation"
According to this proclamation congress
recommended that tho second Thursday of
December be observed by all the people OF
tho United States.
General w~ashingtor's ProcIamations.
President W~ashington's proclamation APP
pointing Thursday, November &c. 1889. as
a day OF Thanksgiving was the first national
Thanksgiving day appointed after the gov
eminent Of the United States was fairly es-
tablished. His second proclamation. issued
on January 1. 1895. the original of which
is in the library of the State department,
| reads as follows:
by the President OF the United States OF
America A Proclamation:
when we review the calamities which
ahhict so many other nations, the present
condition Of the United States affords much
matter Of consolation and satisfaction. Our
exemption hitherto from foreign war, an in
creasing prospect of the continuance OF that
exemption. the great degree of internal
tranquility we have enjoyed. the recent con-
firmation Of that tranquility by the suppress
sion OF an insurrection which so wantonly
threatened 1t. the happy course of our public
affairs in general, the unexampled pros
perity OF all classes of our citizens-are cir
cumstances which peculiarly mark our situa-
tion with indications of the Divine Bench
cence towards us. In such a state of things
it is, in an especial manner, our duty as 4
people, with devout reverence and affection.
ate gratitude, to acknowledge our many and
great obligations to Almighty God and to
implore him to continue and confirm the
blessings we experience.
bCVpIs ptucll ttu VII ILLS StutlIutut, -.
GEORGE WASHINGTON. President of the
United States, do recommend to all Religious
societies and Denomination and to all per-
sons whomsoever within the United States
to set apart and observe Thursday the nine
teenth day of February next as a day OF
public Thanksgiving and prayer, and on
that day to meet together and render their
sincere and hearty thanks to the great
Ruler OF Nations for the manifest and signal
mercies, which distinguish our lot as a
Nation, particularly 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 domestic, for the seasonable
c%ontroul which has been given to a spirit
Of disorder in the suppression Of the late
instruction, and generally for the prosper
GUS course Of our affairs public and private.
and at the same time humbly and fer
| vently to beseech the kind author Of these
blessings graciously to prolong them to us
to imprint on our hearts a deep and solemn
sense Of our obligations to him for them
to teach us rightly to estimate their i'm
mense value--to preserve us from the arro-
gance OF prosperity and from hazarding tho
advantages We enjoy by delusive pursuits
to dispose US to merit the continuance Of
no Jaws, W hOb obbohhe ehNbS " ouF
gratitude for them, and by a correspondent
conduct as citizens and as men-to render
this country more and more a safe and
propitious asylum for the unfortunate Of
other countries-to extend among us true
and useful knowledge-to diffuse and estab-
lish habits Of sobriety, order, morality and
| piety and finally to impart all the blessings
We possess, or ask for ourselves, to the
whole family Of mankind.
I'm TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have
caused the seal Of the United States OF
America to be affixed to these presents ana
signed the same with my hand. DONE at
the City Of Philadelphia the First day OF
January one thousand seven hundred and
ninety five, and Of the independence Of the
United States of America the nineteenth.
&c. WASHINGTON.
by the President:
"EDW. RANDOLPH,
Attorney General"