Warren sheaf., 1899-11-02
|CAuED 70 G|VE THANKS.
President Issues Annual Proclama-
tion Setting Apart November
80 as Thanksgiving Day.
.ENuMERATEs REASONS FOR GRATITUDE,


Washington, Oct. 2e.-The president
Wednesday issued the following
Thanksgiving 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 tenderer significance. It enriches domes-
tic life. It 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 pestilance has invaded our shores.
Liberal employment waits upon labor.
Abundant crops have rewarded the eff
forts of the husbandman., Increased COM
forts have come to the home. The ma
tional finances have been strengthened,
and public credit has been sustained and
made f1rmer. In all branches of industry
and trade there has been an unequaled de-
gree Of prosperity, while there has been
steady gain in the moral and educational
growth of our national character.
Churches and schools have fourished
American patriotism has been exalted
Those engaged in maintaining the honor
of the flag with such signal success have
been in a large degree spared from dis
aster and disease. An honorable peace has
been ratified with a foreign nation with
which we were at war, and we are now
on friendly relations with every power on
earth.
Our New Possessions. t
"The trust which we have assumed for
the benefit of the people of Cuba has been
faithfully advanced. There is marked
progress toward the restoration Of healthy
Industrial conditions, and under wise SAN
itary 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 property of the inhab-
itants, called forth the instant sympathy
of the people of the United States, who
We're swift to respond with generous aid
to the sufferers. While the insurrection
still continues in the island of Luzon busi-
ness is resuming it's activity, and conf
dence in the good purposes of the United
States is being rapidly established through
out the archipelago. sa q. ~ T.
For these reasons and countless 9TH
ers, I, William Mckinley, president of
the United States, do hereby name Thurs
day, the 30th 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
islands, as we'll as by those who may be
at sea or sojourning in foreign lands; and
advise that on this day religious exer-
cises shall be conducted in the churches
or meeting-places of all denomina tions,
in order that in the social features of the
day its real significance may not be lost
sight of, but fervent prayers may be Of
fered to the Most High for continuance of
the Divine guidance without which mans
efforts are vain, and for Divine consola-
tfon 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 have set my hand
and caused the seal of the United States
to be affixed. ..-... -.s...- 49,.
WILLIAM M'KINLEY"