The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-11-04
The

has issued n following IhankSSlT-
ing proclamation:
The Proclamation.
"A national custom, dear to he
hearts of the people, calls for the set
ting apart CT one day in each year as
m occasion of special thanksgiving to
Almighty God for the blessings of the
preceding year. This honcred observ-
ance acquires with time a rendered
significance. 1t enriches domestic life.
1t summons under the family roof the
absent children to glad reunion with
those they love.
seldom has this nation had greater
oause for profound thanksgiving. No
great pestilence has invaded Ill
shores Liberal employment waits up
IN labor. Abundant crops have re-
warded 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
Grmer. In all branches of industry
and trade, there has been IN UNI
sgualled degree of prosperity, while
there has been a steady gain in the
moral and educational growth of our
national character.
Churches and schools have flour
fshed. American patriotism has been
exalted. Those engaged in maintain
ing the honor of the flag with such
signal success have been. in i large
degree, spared from disaster and dis
ease. An honorable peace has been
ratified with a foreign nation, with
which we were at war, and we are now
On friendly relations with every pow
er on earth.
1.-THE trust which we have assumed
for the benefit of the people of Cuba
has been faithfully advanced. There
is marked progress toward the restora-
ton of healthy industrial conditions,
and under wise sanitary regulations
the island has enjoyed usual exeEp-
ton from the scourge of fever. The
hurricane which swept over IL new
possession Of Porto Rico. destroying
the homes and property of the inhab-
itants, called forth the instant SYM
pathy of the people of the United
States, who were swift to respond with
generous aid to the sufferers.
While the instruction still contin-
ues in the island of LuZon, business
Is resuming its activity, and confidence
III the good purposes of the United
States is being rapidly established
thnounbO,tt tho rohjpaIoun
"For these reasons, and countless
others, l. William Mckinley, president
Of the United States, do hereby name
Thursday, the thirtieth day of No
yember next, as a day of general
thanksgiving and prayer, to be OBJ
served by all u people On this CONT
Dcnt, and in our newly-acquired is
lands, as well as by those who may be
ut sea or sojourning in foreign lands;
and 1 advise that on this day relig-
ious 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 sig
ai6cance may not be lost sight of, but
ferTent prayer may be offered to the
Nest High for n 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
cur country.
II recommend, also, that on this
day. so far as may be found practical
bic. labor shall cease from its accus-
toned toll and charity abound towards
thc sick. the needy and the poor.
"In witness whereof, / have set my
hand and caused the seal of the United
States to be affixed.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY"