The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-11-17
THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION.
The President Issues Proclamation
Setting Apart Thursday, Nov. 24th,
to be Observed as Day Of National
Thanks giving.

WASHINGTON, ID. G., Nov. ,, 'O4.
President Roosevelt has issued the
customary Thanksgiving proclama-
ton, setting apart Thursday, Nov
9th, ''to be observed as a day of
festival and thanksgiving by all the
people of the United States, at home
orabroad." The proclamation reads
as follows:
BY the President of the United States of
America-A Proclamation:
1t has pleased Almighty God to bring
the American people in safety and honor
through another year, and, in accord
ance with the long unbroken custom
handed down to US by our forefathers,
the time has come when a special day
shall be set apart, in which to thank
Him who holds all nations in the hollow
OF his hand for the mercies thus voucll-
sailed to us. During the century and
quarter OF our national government, we
as q people have been blessed beyond all
others, and for this we owe humble and
heartfelt thanks to the author of all
blessings.
The year that has closed has been one
OF peace within our own borders, as we'll
as between us and all other nations. The
harvest has been abundant, and those
who work, whether with hand or brain.
are prospecting greatly. Reward has
waited upon honest effort. We have
been enabled to do our duty to ourselves
and to Others. Never has there been a
time when religious and charitable effort
has been more evident Much has been
given to us and much will be expected
from us. We speak of what has been
done by this NJ ton in no spirit of boast
fulness or vainglory, but with full and
reverent realization that our strength is
as nothing unless we are helped from
above. Hitherto we have been given the
heart and the strength to do the tasks
allotted to us as they severally arose.
We are thankful for all that has been
done for us in the past. and we pray that
in the future we may be strengthened in
the unending struggle to do our duty
fearlessly and honestly with charity and
good will, with respect for ourselves and
with love toward our fellOwmen.
In this great republic the effort to COM
bine national strength with personal
freedom is being tried on a scale more
gigantic than ever before in the world's
history. Our success will mean much,
not only for ourselves. but for the future
of all mankind; and every man or W oman
in our land should feel the grave respon-
sibility resting upon him or her, for in
the last analysis this success must de-
pend upon the high average of our indi-
vidual citizenship, upon the way in which
each OF us does his duty by himself and
his neighbor.
Now. therefore, |. Theodore Roosevelt,
President OF the United States, do hereby
appoint and set apart Thursday, the
| twenty-fOurth OF this November, to be
observed as a day of festival and thanks
giving by all the people of the United
States, at home or abroad and do recon-
mend that on that day they cease from
their ordinary occupations and gather
in their several places OF worship or in
their homes, devoutly to give thanks to
Almighty God for the benefits He has
conferred upon us as individuals and as
a nation, and to beseech Him that in the
future His divine favor may be continued
to us.
In witness whereof have hereunto set
my hand and caused the seal of the United
States to be affixed
Done at the city of Washington this
first day of November, in the year of our
Lord, one thousand. nine hundred and
four, and of the independence of the United
States the one hundred and twenty
ninth
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
BY the President: \
JOHN HAY, Secretary of State