The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-11-01
Day of Thanksgiving.
The Last Day Of November
Fixed as Time for Especla!
Prayer, Thar ks and
Charity.

Wasbiassoo, Oct. 25 The prcsi
den. today issued tie following thanks
giviog proeiagatioo /:
By the President of the Url;ed States
-Proc!ama;:oa.
A na:;orai custom dear 10 the beast:
of the people calls for toe setting spar!
of one day 10 eacn year as 80 oocssios
of special thanksgiving to Almighty
Gcd for the blessings of the preceding e
year. This bonored observance acquires
With time seodsrer Significance i
euricbas domestic life It summons
uoder the family roof the absent c5il
dreu to glad geuoioo with those they
love.
Seldom he's this nation had greater
cause for profound thanksgiving. NJ
great pestlIence cas- Invaded our shores
Liberal employment waits upoc labor
Abundant crops have rewarded toe
efforts CT the husbandman Increased
comforts have come to the home. The
national finances have been sustained
aud made 6rmer. Ia ali branches o.
industry aud trade there ha. been au
uueqaaled degree of prosperity, while
there has been steady gain 10 the
moral acd educational growth of ou;
national character Churches and
schools have forrished American
patriotism has been exalted. Those
engaged in naiutaiciog the honor o.
the Gag with such sigaal success have
been in a large degree spared from
disaster AID disease. An bono.abis
peace has been ratified with foreign
natioa with which we were at aar, auc
we are pow co friendly relations with
every power Of esrth.
Tue trust which We have assuued
for the beae6s Of the people CT Cuba
aas been faithfully advanced. There
is marked progress towards the resiora
ton OF healthy industrial conditions,
and under wise sanitary regulations
the island has enjoyed unusual exemo-
ton frou the scourge Of fever. The
hurricane which swept over cur new
possession Of Puerto Rico destroyed
the homes and property of the iaha6i-
tan.s, called forth the instant sympatb y
of the people Of the Uoited States,
Who we're swift to respond With gener-
Gus aid to the sufferers While the
resurrection still continues ip tie island
CT Luzoo, business is resamlug its
activity and confidence 10 t5e gooi
purposes Of the Uaited States is beio g
rapidly established shrou ugbous the ar
cbipelsgo
For these reasons acd countless o,o
ers, I, William Mckinley. president CT
the United States, do hereby usnc
Tbursday, the 30:b day OF November
next. as cay of general thanksgiving
and prayer. to De observed as sach bg
all our people 90 this cootiaeas ADD in
our newly acquired islaads. as we'll as
by those who cay be at sea or sojoarn-
i0g 10 foreign lands; aud advise that
on this day religious exercises shall be
conducted in the churches or meeting
places of all denomin atioos, in order
that in the social features of tee dsy its
real signi6cacce may not be lost sight
of. but ferveut prayers may be offered
to the Most High for coo;inuauce OF
the divine guidance without which
uao's efforts are vain and for divine
con isolation 20 those whose kindred aud
friends have sacrificed their lives for
their country
I recommend also that on this day,
SO far as may be found practical, labor
shsll cease from its accustomed toll,
aud charity abound toward the sick, the
peedy aud the poor.
Ia witness whereof [ have set my
band aud caused the seal of the United
States to be affixed.
Done at sbe city of Washington this
25sb day of Ocscber. 10 the year OF our
LORD 1893 ADD of the independence of
the Uoited States the ore buodredsh
aud ;wenty-fourth
William Mckinley
(Seal)
By tbs president:
John Hay. Secretary Of State.