The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-10-27
THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
The President Appoints November 3Oth
as THANKSGIVING Day.

Washington, October 25.-The presi-
lent today issued the following thanks
| giving proclamation:
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIT
ED STATES-A PROCLAMATION.
A-national custom lear 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
ear.
This honored observance acquires
with time a tenderer significance. It
| enriches domestic life. 1t summons un-
der the family roof Ne absent chill
J dren to glad reunion with those they
love.
Seldom has this nation had greater
cause for profound thanksgiving. No
| great pestiler- . has invaded our shores.
Liberal employment waits upon IT,
| Abundant crops have rewarded tnc e.
forts of the husbandman. Increased
comforts have come to the home. The
national finances have been strength
ened and public credit has been sus-
tanned and made firmer. In all branches
OF industry and trade there has been an
unequaled degree of prosperity. while
| there has been a steady gain in the
moral and educational growth OF our
national character. Churches and
chool nave fiourished. American pa
| triotism has been exalted.
Those engaged in maintaining the
honor of the flag with such signal sue
cess have been in a large degree spared
from disaster and disgrace.
An honorable peace has been ratified
| with a foreign nation with which we
were at war, and we are now on friend
ly relations with every power on earth.
| The trust which we have assumed for
| the benefit of the people Of Cuba has
Il hn4. =
marked rogress toward IN restora-
ton Of healthy Industrial conditions,
and under wise sanitary regulations
the island has enjoyed unusual exemp-
ton from the scourge Of fever. The
| hurricane which swept over our new
| possession OF Porto Rico, destroying
| the homes and property of the inhabi-
tants, called forth the instant sympathy
of the people OF the United States, who
| were swift to respond with generous
| aid TO the sufferers.
While the insurrection still continues
in the island of Luzon, business IL re-
Stunning Its activity. and confidence In
/ the good of the United States
Is being rapidly established throughout
| the archipelago.
Fol these reasons n countless 9TH
/ ers, 1. William Mckinley, president OF
the United States. do hereby name
! Thursday, the Goth day of November
A|NNs oS IA has Va SsIeEdt ndnkSKlNfnG
and prayer, to be observed as such by
all our people on his continent and I'm
our newly acquired islands, as well as
by those Who may be at sea or so1ourn-
ing in foreign lands; and I advise that
on this day religious exercises shall be
conducted in the churches or meeting
| places of all denominations, in order
1 that in the social features of the day
Its real Significance may not be lost
sigh OF. but fervent prayers may be
offered to the Most High for a continue
ance OF the Divine guidance without
which mans efforts are vain and for
Divine consolation to those whose kin
dred and friends have sacrificed their
lives for the country.
1 recommend also that on this day
so far as may be found practical. labor
shall cease from its accustomed toll
n charity abound toward the sick. the
needy and the poor.
In witness whereof. / have get NV
hand and caused the seal of the limit
ed States to be affixed.
Done at the city OF Washington. this
18th day Of October, In the year OF our
Lord 1893, and Of the independence OF
the United States the One Hundred and
Twenty-fourth.
WILLIAM MKfNLEY.
JOHN HAY,
Secretary OF State.