Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1899-10-25
TURKEY DAY
NOVEMBER 80
The President Issues The An
nUal Proclamation For
Thanksgiving.
GREAT REASON FOR REJOICING
Crops, Active Indus
tries and Success of Ameri-
Arms Mark the Year.

Washington, Oct. 25.-The presi-
dent today issued the following
i thanksgiving proclamation: ma
tional custom dear to the hearts of
the people calls fer setting apart one
day each year for special thanksgiv-
ing to Almighty God for blessings
of the preceding year. This honored
observance acquires with time tenderi
er significance. 1t enriches domestic
life. 1t summons under the family
roof absent children to glad reunion
with those they love. Seldom has
this nation had greater cause for pro-
found thanksgiving.
No great pestilence has invaded our
shores. Liberal employment waits
fupon the husbandman. Increased
comforts have come to the home. The
national finances have been strength
ened and the public credit has been
sustained and made firmer. In all
branches of industry and trade there
has been an unequaled degree of pros
perity while there has been a steady
gain in the moral and educational
growth of our national character.
Churches and schools have fourished.
American 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
uonored peace has been ratified with
foreign nation with which we were
at war and we are now at friendly re-
lations with every power on earth.
The trust which we assumed for the
benefit of the people of Cuba has
faithfully advanced There is marked
progress toward the restoration of
healthy industrial conditions, and I'M
der wise sanitary regulations the is
land has enjoyed unusual exemption
from the scourge of fever. The hur
rIcane which swept over our new
possession, Porto Rico, destroying
homes and property of the inhabitants
called forth the instant sympathy of
the people of the United States wno
were swift to respond with generous
aid to sufferers. While insurrection
still continues in the island of Luzon,
business is resuming its activity and
confidence in the good purposes of
the United States is being rapidly es-
tablished throughout the archipel-
ago. For these reasons and countless
others, I, William Mckinley, president
of the United States, do hereby name
Thursday, the thirtieth of November,
next, as day of general thanksgiv-
ing and prayer, to be observed as
such by all our people on this conti-
nent and in our newly acquired is.
lands as well, as by those who may
be at sea or sojourning in foreign
lands, and | advise on this day that re-
ligious exercise shall be conducted in
churches, or meeting places of oil de-
nominations, in order that in the So
cial features of the day, it's real sig
nificance may not be lost sight of,
but fervent prayers may be offered to
the Most High for the continuance of
divine guidance without which mans
efforts are vain; and for divine conso.
lation to those whose kindred and
friends sacrificed their lives for our
country I recommend also that on
this day, as far as may be found
practicable labor shall cease from it's
accustomed toll and charity abound
toward the sick, the needy and the
poor. In witness whereof | set my
hand and cause the seal pof the United
States to be affixed.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.