Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-11-03
THANKSGIVING DAY,
President Mckinley Issues the An
nuuI PrOcIamatiOn.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26.-The presi.
dent has 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 acquires with time a
tic life. 1t summons 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 pes.
thence has invaded our shores. Liberal
employment waits upon labor Abundant
crops have rewarded the efforts of the
husbandman. Increased comforts have
come to the home. The national finances
have been strengthened. the public credit
has been sustained and made firmer. In
all branches of industry and trade there
has been an unequaled degree of prosper
1ty. while there has been a steady gain in
the moral and educational growth of our
national character. Churches and schools
nave fourished: American PATRIOTISM has
been exalted. Those engaged in maintain
ing the honor of the flag with such signal
success have been in large degree spared
from disaster and disease. An honorable
peace has been ratified with foreign ma
ton with which we were at war. and we
are now on friendly relations with every
power of earth.
The trust which we have assumed fol
the people of Cuba has been faithfully ad
vanced. There has been mark Il progress
trial conditions and under wise sanitary
regulations the island has enjoyed UNI
usual exemption from the scourge of fe-
Yer. The hurricane which swept over our
new possession Of Porto Rico, destroying
the homes and property of the inhabit-
ants, 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 con.
tinues in the island of Luzon, business u
resuming its activity, and confidence in
the good purposes of the United States is
being rapidly established throughout the
archipelago.
For these reasons and countless others
/, William Mckinley president of the
United States. do hereby name Thursday,
the Both day of November next. as a day
of general thanksgiving and prayer, to be
observed as such by all our people on this
continent and in our newly acquired is
lands, as well as by those who may be at
advise that on this day religious exer-
cises shall be conducted in the churches
or meeting places of all denomina tons, in
order that in the social features of the
day its real significance may not be lost
sight of, but prayers may be offered to
the Most High for continuance of the
Divine guidance, without which man :
efforts are vain, and for Divine consola ton
to those whose kindred and friends have
sacrificed their lives for country
| recommend also that on this day, so
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 l have set my hand
and caused the seal of the United States
to be affixed. WILLIAM MTKINLEY