Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1899-11-03
President Mckinley Issues Proc
lamati0l Naming the 3Oth.
NATION HAS GREAT CAUSE
For Profound Thanksgiving Says
McKinIey--Enumerates Several
Reasons Why We Should be
Thankful.
The President has issued the follow
ing thanksgiving proclamation:

The President has issued the follow
ing thanksgiving proclamation:
BY the President of the United States
A PROCLAMATION.
A national custom dear to the hearts
of the people calls for the setting 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 ac-
quires with time tenderer signifi-
canoe. 1t enriches domestic life. 1t
summons under the family roof the alb
sent children to glad reunion with
those they love.
Seldom has this nation had greater
cause for profound Thanksgiving. No
great pestiIence has invaded our shores.
Liberal employment waits upon labor.
Abundant crops have rewarded the ef-
forts Of the husbandman. Increased
comforts have come to the home. The
national finances have been strength
ened, and public credit has been sus-
tanned and made firmer. In all branch
es of industry and trade there has
been an unequaled degree of prosperi-
ty, while there has been steady gain
in the moral and educational growth
of our national character. Churches
and schools have fourished. Ameri
can 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 honorable peace
has been ratified with foreign nation
with which we were at war, and we
are now on friendly relations with ev-
cry power OH earth.
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 unusual exemp-
DIOu lROH tuC OSOu1S 60 vi AOFSAs AhO |
which swept over our new
possession of Porto Rico, destroying
the homes and property of the inhabi-
tants, called forth the instant SYM
pathy of the epeople of the United States,
who were swift to respond with gen.
erous aid to the sufferers. While the
still continues in the is
land of Luzon, business is resuming its |
activity, and confidence in the good |
purposes of the United States is rapidly |
established throughout the archipelago.
For these reasons and countless 9TH
ers, 1. William Mckinley, President of
the United States, do hereby name
Thursday, the 3Oth day of November
next. as day of general Thanksgiving
and prayer, to be observed 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 sojourn-
ing in foreign lands: and 1 advise that
on this day religious exercises shall be
conducted in the churches or meeting |
places of all denominations, in order
that in the social features of the day |
it's 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 sacrificed their lives for
country.
1 recommend also that on this day so
far as may be found practical, labor
shall cease from it's accustomed toll
and charity abound toward the sick,
the needy and the poor.
In witness whereof l have set my
hand and caused the seal of the Uni
tee States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington this
25th day of October, in the year of Our
Lord, 1899, and of the Independence of
the United States the one hundred and
twenty-fourth.
(sEAL.) WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
BY the President:
JOHN HAY,
Secretary of State.