The Topeka state journal., 1899-10-25
APPROXIMATION.
President Mckinley Appoints a
Day of 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 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 a tenderer signif-
icance. It enriches domestic life. It
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 pesttlence has invaded our shores.
Liberal employment waits upon labor
Abundant crops have rewarded the eff
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
branches of industry and trade there
has been unequalled degree of prosper
ity while there has been a steady gain
in the moral and educational growth of
our national character.
Churches and schools have flourish
ed. American patriotism has been ex-
alted. Those aged in maintaining
success have been in a large degree
spared from disast4F and disease. An
honorable peace has been ratified with
a foreign nation with which we were
at war and we are, now on friendly re-
latiOnS with every power on 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 exemption
from the scOurge of fever.
THE hurricane which swept over our
new possession of Porto Rico destroy
ing the homes and the 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 insurrection still continues in the
island of LuzOn business is resuming
It's activity ana confidence in the good
purposes of the United States is being
rapidly established throughout the
archipelago.
For these reasons and countless
others, I, VIM. Mckinley, president OF
the United States, do hereby name
Thursday, the thirtieth day of Novem-
Der next, as day of general thanks
giving 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 OF
sOjourning in foreign lands, and I ad-
shall be conducted in the churches OF
meeting places of all denominations, in
order that in the social features of the
day, it's real significance may not be
lost sight of, but fervent prayers may
be offered to the Most High for a con
tinuance of the Divine guidance with
out which mans efforts are vain anC
for Divine consolation to those whose
| kindred and friends have sacrificed theil
| lives for our country.
I recommend also that on this day
50 far as may be found practical
| labor shall cease from its 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 the United
| States to be affixed.
! "WM. MCKINLEY -