The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-26
REASONS FOR THANKSGIVING.
PRESIDENT M'KINLEY GIVES THE
PEOPLE SOME NEW ONES.

PrOclaims Thanksgiving Day for the
United States and All the Islands
Over Which the stars and Stripes
Now FlOat-Thursday, Nov. 80,
Named as the Day-POrto Rico,
Cuba and the Philippines Are
Given Attention.
Washington, Oct, 25.-The President to-
day issued the following Thanksgiving
proclamation:
BY the President of the United States.
A PROCLAMATION.
"A national custom dear TO the hearts of
the people calls for the setting apart of
one day in each year as an occasion Of
special thanksgiving to Almighty God for
the blessings of the preceding year. This
honored observance acquires with time a
tenderer significance. In enriches domes-
tic life. 1t summons under the family roof
the absent children to grand reunion with
those they love.
Seldom has this nation had greater
cause for profound Thanksgiving. No
great pestilence has invaded our shores
Liberal employment waits upon labor
Abundant crops have rewarded the efforts
of the husbandman. Increased comforts
have come TO the home The national
finances have been strengthened and pub
lie credit has been sustained and made
firmer. In all branches of industry and
trade there has been an unequaIled degree
of prosperity, while there has been
steady gain in the moral and educational
growth of our national character.
Churches and schools have lourished.
American patriotism has been exalted.
Those engaged in maintaining the honor of
the flag with such signal success have
been in a large degree spared from disas-
ter and disease, An honorable peace has
been ratified with a foreign nation with
which we were at war and we are now on
friendly relations with every power of
earth.
"The trust which we have assumed for
the benefit of the people of Cuba has been
faithfully advanced. There is marked pro-
gress to the restoration Of healthy indus
trial conditions and under wise sanitary
regulations the island has enjoyed unus-
ual exemption from the scourge of fever.
The hurricane which swept over our new
possession of Porto Rico, destroying the
homes and property of the inhabitants,
called forth the instant sympathy of the
people of the United States, who were
swift 10 respond with generous aid to the
sufferers. While the insurrection still con
tinues in the Island of Luzon, business is
resuming its activity, and confidence in
the good purposes of the United States is
being rapidly established throughout the
arch pelago.
''For these reasons and countless others,
1. William Mckinley, President of the
United States do hereby name Thursday,
the thirtieth day of November next as a
day of general Thanksgiving and prayer
to be observed as such by all our people
on this continent and in our newly ac-
quired islands, as well as by those who
may be at sea or sojourning in foreign
fands; and L advise that on this day reli-
gious exercises shall be conducted in the
churches or meeting places of all denom-
nations, in order that in the social fea-
lures ofSthe day its real significance may
not be lost sight Of but fervent prayers
may be offered to the Most High for con-
tinuance of the Divine guidance without
which mans efforts are vain and for Di-
vine consolation to those whose kindred
and friends have sacrificed their lives for
their country.
Il recommend, also, that on this day,
so far as may be found practical, labor
shall cease from its accustomed toll and
charity abound toward the sick, the needy
and the poor.
In witness whereof I have set my hand
and caused the seal Of the United States
to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this
25th day of October, in the year Of our
Lord 1S99 and of the independence of the
United States the one hundred and TWEEN
ty-fourth.
(SeaD william Mckinley"
BY the President:
John Hay, Secretary of State.