Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1899-11-03
THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION.

A national custom, dear to the
hearts of the people, calls for the
setting apart of one day in each
year for special thanksgiving to AL
mighty God for the blessings of the
preceding year. This honored OBJ
servance acquires with time a tend
erer significance. enriches domes.
tic life; it summons under the
family roof the absent children to
glad 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 husband
man. Increased comforts have come
to the home. The national finances
have been strengthened and public
credit has been sustained and made
hrmer. In all branches of industry
and trade there has been an un-
equaled degree of prosperity, while
there has been steady gain in the
moral and educational growth of
our national character. Churches
and schools have fourished. Amer
ican patriotism has been exalted.
Those engaged 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 a 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 restora-
tion of healthy industrial conditions,
and under wise sanitary regula-
tions the island has enjoyed unusal
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 our 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 Lu-
zon, business is resuming its activ-
ity and confidence in the good pur-
poses Of the United States is being
rapidly established throughout the
archipelago.
For these reasons, and countless
others, I, William Mckinley, presi-
dent of the United States, hereby
name Thursday, the goth day Of
November next, as day of general
thanksgiving and prayer, to be OBJ
served as such by all our people on
this continent and in our newly ac-
quired :slands, as we'll as by those
who may be at sea or sojourning in
foreign lands, and l advise that on
this day religious exercises shall be
conducted in the churches or meet
ing places Of all denominations in
order that in the social features of
the day its real significance may
not be lost sight of, but fervent
prayers may be offered to the Most
High for a continuance of the divine
guidance, without which mans
efforts are vain, and for divine CON
ISOLATION to those whose kindred and
friends have sacrificed their lives
for our country.
l recommend also, that on this
day, so far as may be found prac-
tiCable, labor shall cease from its
accustomed toll, and charity abound
toward the sick, the needy and the
poor.
In witness whereof l have set my
hand and caused the seal of the
United States to be affixed.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.