The commonwealth., 1904-11-26
THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION.
Mississippi Executive Issues Remark.
able Thanksgiving Proclamation.


monweslth, the seasons have been
propitious. aud most bOunteously has
the soil responded 10 the sturdy stroke
OF the honest hushandmGn. In all the
walks OF life, amCng all classes OF our
people, in every department OF com.
merce and trade, there Is an air Of
thrift, an expression OF satisfaction.
produced by the consciousness of
Plenty. While the real greatness Of
State or a people Is not determined
by the measure OF material riches
full bins and boarded gold--but rather
by the neral and intellectual quail.
ties OF its men and women, yet ma.
terial riches are an essential element
in the process OF the development Of
the perfect man, The exaltation OF
the ldeal-the reaching up after the
perfect--unfailing courage OF conyic-
ton. and 4 steadfast purpose to do
right, are the splendid fruit Of tho
highest civilization. To bo thankful
for those qualities, and grateful for
that condition which bless our ma
torlal existence, Is beautifully I'm ac.
cord with the eternal fitness of
things" Gratitude for favors re-
ceived Is payment TO the Giver In tho
priceless currency Of the human heart
the highest tribute Of the soul
1t is well. therefore. for a people
SO abundantly blessed as the people
OF Mississippi have been, TO step aside
from the crowded and dusty highway
OF life, and under the green shade OF
Peace and Prosperity to spend one
day in profound contemplation OF
their Indebtedness to tho great God
OF the Universe, and to make public
acknowledgment Of His infinite good.
ness to them.
Therefore, |, James X. Vardaman,
governor Of the State OF Mississippi.
do hereby designate and set apart
Thursday. the Gath day OF November
instant, as a day of thanksgiving and |
prayer, and do invoke the observance |
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 prayer ana songG |
Of praise deyoutly testify their graft.
tude TO the GiYer Of Every Good and |
Perfect Gift, for all that He has do..e
for us In the year that has passed
for our exemption from the scourge
of pestilence, and our dcliyerlnce
rom riots and internal disorders,
which have afflicted other sections
IF our common country. Grave prob.
ems confront the people OF Missis.
jippi, together with most Of the other
southern States of this republic: and
as they are in dealing with
such problems by the organic law of
he Nation, which law may be on,
oCad by an unfrlendly hand, II will
all for wisdom, courage and patriot
SIN OF the highest order to meet the
lificulties and solve them, The right
hing must be done, but II must be
lone at the right time, Often, | fear,
Will the provoeation TO deeds of in.
discretion be great, but let us remem-
'er that "he that Is slow to wrath Is
i great understanding; but he that
) hagty Of spirit exalteth folly" with
carts burdened with the great re-
possibility OF the Present, upon
Which la grated the future, pregnant
WITH Vital interests to our people, let
s earnestly invoke the counsel OF
lin who has promised ITO give Hight
D them that sit In darkness, and in
he shadow Of death, and guide our
aet unto the way Of Peace"
And let there also be on the day
hus set apart reunion OF families
anctifled and chastened by tender
,emorles and associations, and let
he social intercourse Of friends with
leasant "reminiscences renew the ties
affection and strengthen the bonds
kindly feelings
And while we enjoy the good things
the world--the fruits Of judicious
,ll and prudent liying--and give
ranks for the same, be sure that we I
D not forget that truly grateful
carts are inclined to deeds OF charity
nd love. In the great bank Of eter.
Ity. | believe, the largest credit will
g given to him who has contributed
iost TO the sum Of human toy---who
as planted flower in the fainting
cart of despair and kissed II with
le sunshine Of hope: and who has &
iinted the palid check Of care with Q
10 rose Of health and happiness. Let I
, therefore remember the poor with |,
Ir substance" Ii will enhance the
easure of our own condition and !
'nder our praise and thanksgiving
ore acceptable in the sight OF the =
ord. b
Done at the capital, In the City OF II
4ckson. Mississippi, this the 18th n
" Of November, in the year OF our
ord, 1904. c
In testimony whereof | have here.
Ito set my hand and caused the | &
eat seat OF the State Of Mississippi
be affixed.
BY the governor.
.....I JAMES X. VARDAMAN.
J. w. POWER, Secretary Of State.
'--A---------- II
va. H.. L.. T.. a.