The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-26

Washington, Oct 2a.-Ihe President
today issued the following Thanksgiving
proclamation:
10y the President of the United States.
A PROCLAMATION.
"a national custom dear 10 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
Inis honored observance acquires with
time a tendercr Significance. 1t enriches
domestic life. 1t summons under the
family roof the absent children in glad
reunion with those they love.
seldom has this nation had greater
cause for profound thanksgiving. No
great pestfencc has invaded our shores
Liberal employment waits upon labor
Abundant crops have rewarded the eff
forts of the huSbandman. Increased
comforts have come TO the home. The
national finances have been strengthened
and public credit has been Sustadaed and
made firnner. In all branches of industry
and trade there has been an rnequaled
degree of prosperity. while there has
been a steady gain in the moral and edu-
cational growth of our national oharac-
fer. Churches and schools have flourish
ed. American patriotism has been eN-
allied. Those engaged in maintaining the
honor of the flag with such signal sue
cess. have been i'm large degree spared
from disaster and disease. An honora-
bic peace has been ratified with a for
eign nation with which we were at war.
and we are now ON friendly relations with
arpf-r mower. mn .eafth
.'The trust which we have assumed
for the benefit of the people of Cuba has
Rseen faithfully advanced There is
marked progress toward the restoration
al. healthy industrial conditions. and I'M
deA wise sanitary regulations the island
has enjoyed unusual 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 in
slant sympathy of the people of the Uni
ted States who were swift to respond
with generous aid to the sufferers. While
the instruction still continues i'm the
Island of IIuzon, business is resuming
its activity, and confidence in the good
purposes of the United States is being
rapidly established Throughout the archi-
pelago.
''For these reasons and countless 9th
e1.s. i. William Mckinley, President of
the United States. do hereby name
Thursday, the Both 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 acquired islands: 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 significance may not be lost
sight Of, hut fervent prayers may be of
fered to the Most High for a continuance
of the Divine guidance without which
mans efforts are vain and for DIVINE
consolation to those whose kindred and
friends have sacrificed their lives for
country.
81 recommend also that on this day so
far as may be found practical labor shall
cease from its accustomed toll and char
ity abound toward the sick the needy
and the poor.
sIn witness whereof / have set my
hand and caused the seal of the United
States to be affixed.
"Done at the City of Washington, TINS
25th day of October, in the year of our
Lord 1899. and of the Independence OF
the United States, the one hundred and
twenty-fourth.
dSeal) .WILIIANI MCKINLEY.
by the President:
JOHN HAY, Secretary of State.