The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1899-11-09
a DAY OF THANKSGIVING.


Prssident Mckinley Issues the Usual
Proclamation.
The president has issued the follow.
ing proclamation:
"A national custom, dear 70 the
hearts of the people, calls for the sst-
ting apart of one day in each year for
special thanksgiving to Almighty God
for the blessings of the preceding year.
This honored observance acquires
with time tenderer significance. It
enriches domestic life; it summons un-
der the family roof the absent children
to glad reunion with those they love.
Seldom a. this nation had greater cause
for profound Thanksgiving. No great
pestilence has invaded our shore; lib
eral 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 sustained
and made firmer. In all branches OF
industry and trade there has been an
uneQualed degree of prosperity, while
there has been q steady gain in the
moral and educational growth OF our
national character. Churches and
schools have fourished. American pa
triotism has been exalted. Those en-.
gagged in maintaining the honor of the
flag with such signal success have
been, in . large degree, spared from
disaster and disease. An honorable
peace has been ratified with q foreign
nation with which we were at war, and
we are now at friendly relations with
every power on earth.
''The trust which we have assumed
for the benefit of the people of Cuba
has faithfully advanced. There is
marked progress toward the restoration
of healthy industrial conditions, and
under wise sanitary regulations the
island has enjoyed unusual exemption
from the scourge of fever. The hurri-
cane which swept over our new pos
session of Puerto Rico. destroying the
homes and property of the inhabitants,
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 insur-
rection still continues in the island of
Luzon, business is resuming its activ-
ity and confidence in the good purposes
of the United States is being rapidly es.
tablished throughout the archipelago.
''For these reasons, and countless
others, 1, William Mckinley, president
of the United States, hereby name
Thursday, the 3Oth day of November
next, as day of general thanksgiving
and prayer, to be observed as such by
all our people on this continent and
in our newly acquired islands, as well
as by those who may be at sea or So
journing in foreign lands, and ! ad.
wise that on this day religious exercises
shall be conducted In the churches or
meeting places of all denominations
in order that in the social features of
the day its real sigifcance may not be
lost sight of, but fervent prayers may
be offered to the Most High for q con-
tinuance of the divine guidance, with
out which mans efforts are vain, and
for divine consolation to those whose
kindred and friends have sacrificed
their lives for our country.
81 recommend also, that on this
day, 50 far as may be found practicable,
labor shall cease from its accustomed
toll, and charity abound toward the
sick, the needy and the poor.
"In witness whereof have set my
hand and caused the seal of the United
States to be affixed.
'eWILLIAM M'KINLEY."