The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-11-30
TIE FIRST PROCLAMATION
Issued by President George
Washington in Jan, 1875

Expresses the Deep Gratitude Of the
Young Nation, in 4 Unanimous
Thanksgiving After Years of
Struggle and Oppression.
The first national observance Of
the day followed the proclamation of
President George Washington, issued
in January 1895. 1t will be read
with interest, as It was the first real
"crow" that our forefathers permit
ted themselves after the stirring
times of the Revolution. 1t was as
follows:
when we review the calamaties
which afllict so many other nations,
the present condition of the United
States affords much matter of con-
ISOLATION and satisfaction Our ex-
emption hitherto from foreign war,
an increasing prospect of the con-
tinuance of that exemption, the great
degree of internal tranquility by the
suppression of an insurrection which
so wantonly threatened It, the happy
course of our public affairs in gene
raj, the unexampled prosperity of all
classes of our citizens, are circum-
stances which particularly mark our
situation with the indications of the
Divine beneficence toward us. In
such a state of things it is an espe-
cial manner our duty as a people,
with devout reverence and affection
ate gratitude, to acknowledge our
many and great obligations to AL
mighty God, and to implore Him to
continue and confirm the blessings
we experienced.
Deeply penetrated with this SEN
timent, |, George Washington, Presi-
dent of the United States, do recon-
mend to all religious societies and
denominations, and to all persons
whomsoever, within the United
States, to set apart and observe
Thursday, the 18th day of February
next, as day of public thanksgiving
and prayer, and on that day to meet
together and render sincere and
hearty thanks to the great Ruler of
nations for the manifold and signal
mercies which distinguish our lot as
nation; particularly for the pos
session of constitutions of govern
ment which unite and. by their
union, establish liberty and order;
for the preservation of our peace,
foreign and domestic; for the rea-
sonable control which has been
given to spirit of disorder in the
suppression of the late insurrection,
and generally for the prosperous con-
dition of our affairs. public and pri-
vate, and at the same time humbly
and feryently beseech the kind Au-
thor of these blessings graciously to
prolong them 20 us; to imprint on
our hearts a deep and solemn sense
of our obligations to Him for them;
to teach us rightly to estimate their
immense value; to preserve us from
the arrogance of prosperity, and from
hazarding the advantages we enjoy
by delusive pursuits, to dispose us to
merit the continuance of His favors
by not abusing them, by our graft
tude for them, and by corresponding
conduct as citizens and as men to
render this country more and more a
safe and propitious asylum for the
unfortunate of other countries; to
extend among us true and useful
knowledge; to diffuse and establish
habits of sobriety, order, morality,
and piety, and finally to impart all
the blessings we possess or ask for
ourselves to the whole family of
mankind.
'In testimony whereof, have
caused the seal of the United States
of America to be affixed to these
presents, and signed the same with
my hand, done at the city of Phila-
delphia the first day of January.
1895.
George Washington.
"By the President:
Edward Randolph"
Thus did the eagle scream in 1895
and the noble bird has been lifting
up his voice annually ever since.