The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-11-02
PROCLAMATION.

A national custom dear to the hearts
Of the people calls for the setting apart
OF one day in each year IS an occasion
OF special thanksgiving to Almighty
God for the blessings OF the preceding
year. This honored observance &C
quires with time tenderer significance.
It enriches domestic life. 1t sum
mons under the family roof the absent
children to glad reunion with those
they love.
Seldom has this nation had greater
cause for profound thanksgiving. No
great pestilence has invaded our shores.
Liberal employment waits upon labor.
Abundant crops have rewarded the
efforts OF the husbandaman. Increased
comforts have come to the home.
The national finances have been
strengthened, and public credit has
been sustained and made firmer In
all branches of industry and trade
there has been an unequaled degree OF
prosperity, while there has been a
steady gain in tho moral aud education-
al growth Of cur national character
Churches and schools have foarished
American patriotism has been exalted.
Those engaged in maintaining the
honor of the flag with such signal sue
cess have been in large degree spared
from disaster and disease. An hon
orable peace has been ratified with a
foreign nation with which We were at
war, and we are now On friendly re-
latlons with every power of earth.
The trust which we have assumed
for the benefit OF Cuba has been faith
fully advanced. There is marked pro-
gress toward the restoration of healthy
industrial conditions, and under wise
sanitary regulations the island has
enJoyed unusual exemption from the
scourge Of fever The hurricane which
swept over our new possession OF Porto
Rico, destroying the homes and prop
erty OF thu inhabitants, called forth
the instant sympathy of the people Of
the United States, who were swift to
respond with generous aid to the suf-
ferers. While the instruction still
continues in the island OF Luzon,
business Is resulning Its activity, and
confidence in the good purposes OF the
United States is rapidly established
throughout the archipelago.
For these reasons gnd countless
others, I, William Mckinley, President
OF the United States, do hereby name
Thursday, the 30th 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 we'll as
by those who may be at sea Or sojurn-
ing III foreign lands and advise that
on this day religious exercises shall be
conducted in the churches or meeting
places OF all denominations, In order
that IL 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 con-
tinuance Of the divine guidance with
out which mans efforts are vain and
tor divine consolation to those whose
kindred and friends have sacrificed
their lives tor country.
l recommend also that On this day
SO Tar 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 I have set my
hand and caused the seal OF tho United
States to be- affixed.
Done at the city Of Washington this
Goth day OF October, in the year Of
Our Lord, 1899, and Of the one hun
dred and twenty iourtf. year of the In
Of the United States.
(SEAL) WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
JOHN HAY,