The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-26

1 assemblages after the declaration of
| this proclamation, render thanks to
| God for the signal victories of the land
| and naval forces engaged in suppress
| sing the internal rebellion, and for His
| goodness in averting from our country
1 the dangers of foreign intervention"
| President Lincoln's last proclamation
| was issued on the goth of October, 1884,
| in which he thanked God "for His
| guardian care against unfriendly de-
4 signs from abroad, and for His vouch-
safing to US in His mercy, many and
signal victories over the enemy which
| was in our own household" and recon-
mended that the last Thursday in No
vember of that year be known and OBJ
| served as Thanksgiving Day.
The first Thanksgiving proclamation
after the close of the Civil War was is
sued by President Andrew johnson,
| who was most grateful to God for hay-
| ing sent the country peace during the
| year and further, for the presence Of
| unity and harmony with a great en-
| largement of civil liberty and aversion
from the calamities of foreign war, pes
thence and famine. This time Thanks
giving came in December, the first
Thursday being devoted to praise and
devotions. During each year of his
administration President johnson is
sued thanksgiving proclamations but
ne was most grateful for the blessings
specialized in his first message.
GRANTS MANY PROCLAMATIONS
PRESIDENT GRAFT goes down in history
as ISSUING more Thanksgiving procla-
nlau,sns than any other President, the
lumber being nine. None had any
special significance save for the bles-
sings which come naturally to coun-
try that is daily increasing in wealth
and power, except the extra message
issued for the special observance of
July 4, 1875. TN addition to the usual
observances with which we are accus-
toned to greet the return of the day
proclaimed the President, II recon-
mend that we mark its recurrence with
special devotion and thanksgiving r.
Almighty God for the blessings which
have been bestowed upon us as ma
ton during the first century of our ex-
istence" The usual Thanksgiving SER
vices were also held that year on the
last Thursday in November, making
two holidays of the same nature within
a twelvemOnth
President Hayes was most grateful
for the exuberant harvests, productive
mines, ample crops of the staples of
trade and manufactures that have en-
riched the country; for peace with all
the nations and the general prevalence
of the blessings of health.
There was a Thanksgiving proclama-
ton during each year of President Ar
thur administration, but through all
of these was the same strain of general
gratefulness which characterized the
Presidents life. no special blessing be-
ing named.
During each year President Cleveland
recommended that the last Thursday
be spent in prayer and fasting and re-
quested that we should show our CRATE
fulness for blessings relieved by re-
memberinss ard cndeaYosing 10 make
happy the poor OF the country.
President Harrison was most thank
full for the marvellous prosperity which
attended TIE country" and like Presi-
dent Arthur. no special event was mem
toned in his proclamations.
President Mckinley is thankful. this
fall of 1899, that mo great pestilence
has invaded our shores. Liberal EN-
ploynent watts upon labor. Abundant
crops have rewarded the efforts of the
husbandmen. Increased comforts have
come to the home. Churches and
schools have f1ourished. American pat
riotism has been exalted Those en-
gagged in maintaining the honor of the
flag with such signal success have been
in a large degree spared from disaster
and disease An honorable peace has
been ratified with foreign nation with
which we We're at war. and we are now
on friendly relations with every power
on earth"