The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1904-11-19
Thanksgiving Proclamation.

proclamat on, which abounds in
| flights Of real eloquence and al
ltrulstic sentiment, and cannot
fail to inspire the most ungratefuI
wretch with a spark of the Divine
fervor:
Material prosperity prevails
throughout the length and breadth
of our commonwealth; the season
has been prosperous and most
bounteously has the soil respond
ed to the sturdy stroke Of the
honest husbandman. In all the
works Of life, among all classes Of
Iour people, in every department
of commerce and trade, there is
an air of thrift, an expression Of
satisfaction produced by The CON
seriousness of plenty. While the
real greatness, of a State, or a peo-
pie, is not determined By the
measure Of material riches, full
bins and boarded gold, but rather
by the moral and intellectual Quail
tiles of its men and women, vet
material riches are an essential
element in the process of the de-
velopment Of che perfect citizen.
The exaItation Of the ideal, the
reaching UP after the perfect, UNI
failing courage of conviction, and
q steadfast purpose to do right,
are the splendid fruits Of the
highest civilization.
TO be thankful for those quail
tiles and grateful for that condi-
tion which bless our material ex-
istence, is beautifully in accord
with the eternal fitness of things. /
Gratitude for favors received is
payment to the giver in the price
less currency of the human heart,
the highest tribute of the soul.
It is we'll, therefore, for a people
$50 abundantly blessed as tile peo-
pie of Mississippi have been, to
step aside from the crowded and
dusty highway of life, and, under
the green shade of peace and pros
#perity, to spend one day in pro
found contemplation of their in
|debtedness to the great God of the
universe and to make public ac-
acknowledgement of His infinite
goodness to them. Therefore, ],
James X. Vardaman, Governor of
the State of Mississippi, do here
by designate and set apart Thurs
day, the 24th day Of November
instant, as a day Of Thanksgiving
and prayer, and do invoke The OBJ
serYance of the same BY all the
people of the State.
On that day let all secular
business be suspended, and let the
people assemble in their usual
places Of worship, and with pray.
er and songs Of praise deYoutly
testify .their gratitude to the Civ
.er of every good and perfect gift.
for all that He has sent for as ii
the year that has passed, and for
our exemption from the scourge of
pestilence and our deliverance
from riots and international dis
orders. which have afflicted other
sections of our common country.
Grave problems confront the
people of Mississippi, together
with most of the other Southern
States Of this republic, and pre-
scribed as they are III dealing
with such problems by the organ
tic law Of the nation, which law
may be enforced by an unfriendly
hand, it will call for wisdom,
courage and patriotism of the
highest order to meet the difficult
ties and solve them.
THE right thing must be done,
but it must be done at the right
time; often / fear will the provo
cation to deeds Of indiscretion be
great, but let us remember that
He that is slow to wrath, is of
great understanding, but he chat
IS hasty Of spirit, exalteth folly.
With hearts burdened with the
great responsibility Of the present
upon which is grated the future,
pregnant with vital interests To-
our people, let as earnestly In
yoke The counseI Of Him, who has.
promised to give light to them
that sit ID darkness and in the
shadow of death, and guide our
feet unto the way Of peace, and
Ia Ah1ss.., :. lr.l,a IL, - kL.n 49,