Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-10-26
Dailp 4 ennebec 3opr1al.
THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION.
The Presiden. Names Nov. 30th for Nationa!
Thanksgiving.

washington, Oct. 25.-The President,
today issued the following Thanksgiv-
ing proclamation:
"A national custom, dear to the
hearts of the people, calls for the set
inc apart of one day in each year as
an occasion of special Thanksgiving to
Almighty God for the blessings OF the
,anading wear. This honored obser-
vance acquires with time tenderer
s.rn;ficance. It enriches domestic life
u summons under the family roof the
ahcant children to glad reunion with
those they love.
aSe,dom has this nation had greater
o,use for profound Thanksgiving. No
.,,eat pestilence has invaded our shores.
Liberal employment waits upon labor.
Abundant crops have awarded the ef-
forts of the husbandman. Increased
comforts have come to the home. The
rational finances have been strength
ened and public credit has been sus-
tanned and firmer. In all branches of
industry and trade there has been an
eoualled degree of prosperity, While
there has been steady gain IN the
moral and educational growth of our
national character Churches and
schools have hourished. American
natriotism has been exalted. Those
engaged in maintaining the honor OF
the flag with such signal success have
been in a large degree spared from dis
aster and disease. An honorable peace
has been ratified with a foreign nation
with which we We're at war and we
are now on friendly relations with ev-
ary mower on earth.
THE trust which we have assumed
for the people of Cuba has been faith
fully advanced. There has been mark
ed progress toward the restoration OF
healthy industrial conditions and under
wise sanitary regulations the island has
enjoyed unusal exemption from the
scourge of fever. The hurricane which
swept over our new possession of Por-
to Rico. destroying the homes and
property of the inhabitants, called for
the instant sympathy of the people of
the United States. who were swift to
respond with generous aid to the suf-
ferers. While the insurrection still con-
tinues in the island of Luzon, business
is resuming it's activity and confidence
in the good purposes of the United
States is being rapidly established
throughout the archipelago.
For these reasons and countless
others, |, William Mckinley, President
of the United States, do hereby name
Thursday, the thirtieth day of Novem-
ber next. as a day of general thanksgiv-
ing and prayer to be observed as such
by all of our people on this continent
and in our newly acquired islands as
well as by those who may be at sea or
soiourning in foreign lands; and | ad-
wise that on this day religious eXer-
cises shall be conducted in the church
es or public meeting places of all de-
nominations, in order that in the social
features of the day its real significance
may not be lost sight Of prayers may
be offered to the Most High for a con-
tinuance of the Divine guidance with
ont which mans efforts are vain ana
for the Divine consolation to those
whose kindred and friends have sac
rificed their lives for country.
'I recommend also that on TINS day
so far as may be found practicable.
labor shall cease from its accustomed
toll and charity abound toward 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"