Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1899-11-02
NATION HAS CAUSE FOR
THANKSGIVING, so SAYS PRESIDENT BILL
MCKINLEY IN A PROCLAMATION. =
REC0UNTS II AS He Sees IT.
Thursday, November 80, Is Designated as
-. the Day TO be Observed.

tho Day to be Observed.
WAsHINGToN, October 25.-The
President to-day issued the follow
ing Thanksgiving 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
observance acquires with time a ten
der Significance. 1t enriches do
mestic life. 1t summons under tho
family roof the absent children to
glad reunion with those they love.
"Scldom has this nation had
greater cause for profound thanks
giving. No great postilence has in
vaded our shores. Liberal employ
ment waits upon labor. Abundant
crops have rewarded tho efforts of
the husbandman. Increased COM
forts have come to the home. The
national finances have been strength
ened, and public credit has been sus-
tanned and made tirmer. In all
branches Of industry and trade there
has been steady gain in the moral
and educational growth of our na-
tional character.
"Churches and schools have flour
ished. 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 dis
aster and disease. An honored peace
has been ratified with foreign iia-
tion with which we were at war, and
we are now on friendly relations
with every power on earth.
"Thc trust which we have assumed
for the people Of Cuba has been fnith-
fully advanced. There is maj ked pro-
grcss toward the restoration of healthy
industrial conditions, and under wise
sanitary regulations the island has
enjoyed exemption from the scourge
of fever. The hurricane which
swept oyer our new possession of
Porto Rico, destroying the homes
and property of the inhabitants,
called forth the instant sympathy of
the people of the United States, who
were swift to respond with generous
aid to the sufferers. While the in
surrection still continues in the island
of Luzon, business is rcsuming it's
activity and confidence in the good
purposes of the United States is be-
ing rapidly established throughout
the archipelago.
'sFor these reasons and countless
others, I, William Mckinley, Presi-
dent of the United States, do hereby
name Thursday, the 30th day of
November next, as day of general
thanksgiving and prayer, to be OBJ
served as such by all our people on
this continent and in our newly
acquired islands, as well as by those
who may be at sea or sojourning in
foreign lands; and ! advise that on
this day religious exercises shall be
conducted in tho churches or meet
ing places of all denominations, in
order that in the social features of
the day its real significance may not
be lost sight of, but fervent prayers
may be offered to the most high for
a continuance of the divine guidance
without which mans efforts are vain,
and for divine consolation to those
whose kindred and friends have sac
riliced their lives for country.
81 recommend also that on this day,
80 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.
uU,trI,N MrKrNrEy