The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1904-11-26
THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION.
MISSISSIPPI Executive Issues Remark
able Tl1anksulVInn Proclamation,

Material prosperity prevails over
the length and breadth Of our Com
monwealth, the seasons have been
propitious, and most bounteously has
the soil responded to the sturdy stroke
OF the honest husbandman. In all the
walks Of life, among 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 moral 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 Ideal-the reaching up after the
perfect unfailing courage Of conyic-
ton, and steadfast purpose to do
right, are the splendid fruit of the
highest civilization. To be thankful
for those qualities, and grateful for
NAAsS1 NQ4AAAS4OA WAANA OAS6O Jul MA
terial existence, Is beautifully in ac-
cord with the eternal fitness Of
things" Gratitude for favors re-
ceiyed is payment to the Giver, in the
priceless currency of the human heart
the highest tribute of the soul.
It is well, Therefore, for 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 the 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 Oath 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 and songs
Of praise devoutly testify their graft.
tude to the Oliver Of Every Good and
Perfect Gift, for all that He has done
for us in the year that has passed
for our exemption from the scourge
of pestilence, and our deliverance
from riots and internal disorder s,
which have afflicted other sectiofs
of our common country. Grave pro D.
lens confront the people of Missis-
sippi, together with most of the other
Southern States of this republic; ard
prescribed as they are in dealing with
such problems by the organic law of
the Nation, which law may be en-
foced by an unfriendly hand, it will
call for wisdom, courage and patriot
ism Of the highest order to meet the
difficulties and solve them. The right
thing must be done, but it must be
done at the right time. Often, l fear.
will the provocation to deeds of in
discretion be great, but let us remem-
Der that che that is slow to wrath is
of great understanding; but he that
Is hasty of spirit exalteth folly" With
hearts burdened with the great re-
sponsibility of the Present, upon
which is grated the future, pregnant
with vital interests to our people, let
us earnestly invoke the counsel OF
Him who has promised ITO give light
to them that sit in darkness, and in
the shadow of death, and guide our
feet unto the way of Peace"
''And let there also be on the day
thus set apart a reunion of families
sanctified and chastened by tender
NriN nd nCCansofinncs 1ot
the social intercourse of friends with
pleasant "reminiscences renew the ties
of affection and strengthen the bonds
of kindly feelings"
And while we enjoy the good things
of the world-the fruits of judicious
toll and prudent living-and give
thanks for the same, be sure that we
do not forget that truly grateful
hearts are inclined to deeds of charity
and love. In the great bank of eter.
nifty, believe, the largest credit will
be given to him who has contributed
most to the sum of human joy-who
has planted a flower in the fainting
heart Of despair and kissed it with
the sunshine of hOpe; and who has
painted the paid cheek of care with
the rose of health and happiness. Let
us therefore remember the poor with
our substance" It will enhance the
pleasure of our own condition and
render our praise and thanksgiving
more acceptable in the sight of the
Lord.
Done at the capital, in the City Of
Jackson, Mississippi, this the 18th
day of November, in the year of our
Lord, 1904.
In testimony whereof I have here
unto set my hand and caused the
great seat of the State of Mississippi
to be affixed.
BY the governor.
JAMES K. VARDAMAN.
J. w. POWER, Secretary of State.