The Van Buren press., 1899-10-28
A DAY Of Thanksgiving.
President William Mckinley Issues
His Annual Thanksgiving
Proclamation.
THURSDAY. NOVEMBER THIRTY, NAMED.
The President Enumerates Number
of Causes for ThunkfuIness, and
Recommends an observance oi
the Day by Abstention From Toll
md Doing Deeds or Charity.

Washington, Oct. 26.-The president
has issued the following Thanksgiv
log proclamation:
The Proclamation.
"A national custom, dear to the
hearts of the people, calls for the set
ting apart Of one day in each year as
an occasion of special thanksgiving to
Almighty God for the blessings of the
preceding year. This honored observ
ance acquires with time a rendered
significance. 1t enriches domestic life
1t summons under the family roof the
absent children to glad renuion with
those they leve.
''Seldom has this nation had greater
cause for profound thanksgiving. No
great pestilence has invaded our
shores. Liberal employment waits up
On labor. Abundant crops have re-
warded the efforts of the Husbands
man. Increased comforts have come
to the home. The national finances
have been strengthened, and public
credit has been sustained and made
firmer. In all branches of industry
and trade, there has been an un.
equalled degree of prosperity, while
there has been a steady gain in tho
moral and educational growth of our
national character.
"Churches and schools have -four,
ished. American patriotism has been
exalted. Those engaged in maintain.
ing the honor of the flag with such
signal success have been. in large
degree, spared from disaster and dis,
ease. An honorable peace has been
ratified with 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.
tion of healthy industrial conditions,
and under wise sanitary regulations
the island has enjoyed usual exemp.
ton from the scourge of fever. The
hurricane which swept over our 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 insurrection still contin-
ues in the island of Luzon, business
is resuming its activity, and confidence
in the good purposes of the United
States is being rapidly established
throughout the archipelago.
"For these reasons. and countless
others, l, William Mckinley, president
of the United States, do hereby name
Thursday, the thirtieth day of No
vember next, as a day of general
thanksgiving and prayer, to be OBJ
served by all our people on this cent?
nent, and in our newly-acquirftl is
lands, as well as by those who nav be
at sea or sojourning in foreign iends;
and / 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
nificance may not be lost sight of, but
fervent prayer may be offered to the
Nest High for 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.
II recommend, also, that on this
day, so far as may be found practical
bic, labor shall cease from it's accus-
toned toll, and charity abound towards
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.
"WILLIAM MCKINLEY"