Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-05
GOV. YATES PRoCLAIMs DAY
OF THANKS I'M ILLINOIS

Springfield, ILL.,, Nov. 5.-the follow
ing Thanksgiving proclamation has
been issued by the Gov. Yates:
State of Illinois. Executive Depart
ment-From the days of the Pilgrim
fathers the people of America have
from time to time found occasion to
give thanks to the Lord God Almighty
for the blessings he has vouchsafed to
them. The nation has been grateful
for mighty reason. 1t has believed
that it was a divinely ordained nation.
1t has believed that the curtain of
the waters of the Atlantic ocean was
let down on the eastern side of this
continent for mighty purpose. 1t
has believed that Providence caused
that curtain of water to remain I'M
penetrated until 1892 with that mighty
purpose. 1t believes that Providence
itself kept it there for fifteen centur-
les after the coming of Christ and
until the prows of Columbus ships
parted the waters of this western con-
tinent for that mighty purpose. Ii
has believed that this purpose was to
establish and maintain here on
American soil a mighty and model
republic with the corner stone of
religion, science, labor. and freedom,
utterly regardless of what it cost in
tears or treasure, in effect, or in
blood.
So believing. it has been serene and
confident in a glowing and growing
hope; it has cherished implicit faith
in the ultimate triumph of the good
and true, the safe and sure. within
do rio ha., 81;
on the nations altar the flame of
patriotism. 1t has inculcated and en-
couraged national and civic honesty
and honor. 1t has promoted all search
after knowledge. 1t has fostered all
the dignity of labor and toll. 1t has
tolerated all civilized theology 1t
has fought for life, liberty and the
pursuits of happiness for all men, with
none to modest or to make afraid 1t
has succeeded well. 1t has buried the
red flag of anarchism; it has maintain
ed law and order; it has supported a
matchless system of free schools; it
has kept aloft the beautiful flag of
union and liberty, and that flag alone.
under the dome of the union sky.
Due reward has not been withheld.
Peace, prosperity, and contentment
have been its reward during the last
twelve months. Destruction by cpl
demic and pestilence, by tornado and
food and fire. have been mercifully
kept away. Today it is ready to tear
itself away from the toll and turmoil
of barter and gain and all INSCRIPTIONS
of home and of life. Today it longs
for an opportunity to once again bow
4 IL. IL.
only power in the universe before
which the American knee is ever bow
ed. The hour of that opportunity
should come soon. The bountiful har
vest and the reapings of the year
are in the storehouses of the people.
The comfort of the populace through
the coming winter days is fully as
sured
Therefore, 1. Richard Yates. COVER
nor of the state of Illinois, do hereby
designate Thursday. Nov. 26, 1908. a
day to be set apart in every town and
community in all this state of 100000
prosperous, progressive, pure, and
patriotic people. Let some hour of
that day in every community be OBJ
served with deep solmenity. Let there
be prayer and praise with true and
heartfelt gratitude yelling up from
loving and deeply touched hearts; let
manly men, noble women, and pre-
cious children of all beautiful and glo-
rious Illinois be not ashamed to recog-
nize God. Let them glOrify him, the
Author. gracious and benignant be-
yond expression, of our untold and
priceless blessings. Let all the people
fail not to give thanks and to pray
for help to walk bravely, and honestly
and wisely. and righteously in the
path through and across the twelve
months to come.
In witness whereof / have set here
unto my hand and caused to be af-
fixed the great seal of the state at
Springfield, the capital. this third day
of November. A. d. 1908.
RICHARD YATES, Governor
BY the governor.
JAMES \. ROSE, Secretary of State.