The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-11-08
TO GIVE THANKS.
!. president Issues Proclamation for
Annual Holiday.

Annual Holiday.
In accordance with custom, Presi-
dent Roosevelt has issued his annual
proclamation setting aside a day for
returning thanks to an all-merciful
Providence. 1t follows:
By the President of the United States
A Proclamation:
III 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 our
forefathers, .le time has come when
a special day shall be set apart in
which to thank Him who holds all ma
lions in the hollow of His hand for
the mercies thus vouchsafed to us.
During the century and a quarter or
our national life we as a 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 harvests have been
abundant, and those who work,
whether with hand or brain, are pros
pering greatly. Reward has waited
upon honest effort. We have been en-
abled 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 nation in no spirit of boastfulness
OF vainglory, 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 is in the past, and We pray
that in the future we may be strength
ened in the amending struggle to do
our duty fearlessly and honestly, with
charity and good will, with respect for
ourselves and with love toward u
fellowmen.
In this great republic the effort to
combine national strength with per-
sonal freedom is being tried on a
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 or woman in u lane
should feel the grave responsibility
resting upon him or her, for in the
last analysis that success must de-
pend upon the high average of u
individual citizenship, upon the way
in which each of us does his duty
by himself and his neighbOr.
Now, therefore, /. Theodore Roose-
welt, president of the United States.
do hereby appoint and set apart
Thursday, the oath of this November,
to be observed as a 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, 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, l 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 n hundred and
twenty-ninth.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
John HAY. Secretary of State.
BY the President.