Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1904-11-16
THANKSGIVING PR0CLAMATIONS.
Text of ProcIamations Issued by President
Roosevelt and Gov. Cummins Asking
People to Observe Thanksgiving.

"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
accordance with the long unbroken
custom handed down to Us by ouI
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 fol-
the mercies thus vouchsafed TO Us.
During the century and quarter OF
our national life, we, as people. have
been blessed beyond all voters, and for
this we owe humble and heartfelt
thanks to the author of al 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 haryests have been album
dant. and those who work, whether
with hand or brain, are prospecting
greatly. Reward has waited upon
honest effort. We have been en- ibled to
do our duty to ourselves and TO others.
Never has there been time when re-
ligious 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 nation in no spirit of boastfulness
or vain glory, but with full and rever-
ent realization that our strength is as
nothing, unless we are helped from
above. Hitherto we have been given
the heArtiest 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 strength
ened in the unending struggle to do
our duty fearlessly and honestly, with
charity ana good will, with respect
for ourselves and with love toward
our fellowmen.
SIN this great republic the effort to
combine national strength with per-
sonal freedom is being tried on scale
more gigantic than ever before in the
worlds history. Our success will
mean much. not only for ourselves,
but for the future of all mankind and
every man and woman in our land
should feel the grave responsibility
resting upon him or her, for in the
last analysis this success must depend
upon the high average of our individ-
ual citizenship upon the way in which
each of rs does his duty by himself
and his neighbor.
Now, therefore. l. Theodore Roose-
Welt, president of the United States,
do hereby appoint and set apart Thurs
day. the Gath day of this November.
to be observed as day of festival and
thanksgiving by all the people of the
United States at home or abroad, and
do recommend that on that day they
cease from their ordinary occupations
and gather in their several places OF
worship or in their homes, deyoutly
to give thanks unto Almighty God fol-
the benefits He has conferred upon Us
as individuals and as nation, and to
beseech Him that in the future His
divine favor may be continued to us.
Sin 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
LIST day Of November, in the year OF
Our Lord 1904 and of the independence
of the United States the 129th.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
"By the President:
JOHN HAY, Secretary of State. u