The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-12-05
GEORGE WASHINGTON'S
Thanksgiving Proclan1ation-A Re-
markable Document.

| sN~Ao
time should be republished the first
Thanksgiving proclamation. 1t is
singularly significant, TOO, that he who
was the Father of His Country, first
in war, first in peace and first in the
hearts of his countrymen, should be
the first American to have the honor
of proclairning, on the part of his peo-
pie, acknowledgement of Gods bless
ings, by setting apart day Of Ma
tional Thanksgiving. The original
document is in the children's room of
the Dubuque, Iowa, public library.
A Proclamation by the President OF
the United States.
| When we review the calamltles
which affect so many other nations,
| the present condition of the United
States affords much matter Of conso-
lation and satisfaction. Our exempt
ion hereto from foreign war-an IN
creasing prospect of the continuance
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 general, the unexam-
pied prosperity of all classes Of our
citizens-are circumstances which
mark our situation with indications OF
the Divine benefcence toward us. In
such a state of things, it is, in an es-
pecial manner, our duty as people
with devout reverence and affectlonate
gratitude, to acknowledge Our many
great obligations toward Almighty
God and to implore Him to continue
and confirm the blessings we expert
ence. Deeply penetrated with this
sentiment, I, George Washington,
president of the United States, do
recommend all religious societies and
denominations, and to all persons
whomsoever within the United States,
to set apart and observe Thursday.
the 10th of February next, as day
of public thanks and prayer, and on
that dav to meet together. and render
their service and hearty thanks to the
Great Ruler of nations. for the mani
fold and signal mercies which dis
tingush our lot as a nation, partlcu-
larly for the possession Of const1tu-
tions of governments which unite. an l
bv their union establish liberty with
order for the preservation Of peace.
foreign and domestic, for rfe season.
able control. which has been given to
a spirit of disorder in the suppression
of the late insurrection, and generally
for the prosperous course OF our at
fairs, public and private, and at the
same time hunbly and fervently to
beseech the kind Author of these
blessings graciously 70 prolong them
to us, to imprint on our hearts a deep
and solemn sense of our obligation to
Him for them-to teach us rightly to
estimate their immense value, to pre-
serve us from arrogance OF prosperl-
ty. and from hazarding the advantage
we enjoy by delusive pursuits. to dis
pose us to merit the continuance Of
His favors. by not abusing them; BY
our gratitude for them and by cor
respondent conduct as citizens and as
men, to render this country more and
more safe and propitious asylum for
the unfortunate OF other countries-to
extend among us true and useful
knowledge dihuse and establish
habits of sobriety. order, morality,
! and finally to impart all the blessings
w" possess or ask for ourselves to the
whole family of mankind.
In testimony whereof | have caused
the seal of the United States of Amer
ica to be affixed to these presents and
signed the same with my hand.
Done at the city of Philadelphia,
january 1st, 1895, and in the Inde-
pendence OF the United States Of
America the 10Th.
(Signed) George Washington.