The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1909-11-25
PRESIDENT BUCHANAN'S
DAY OF FASTING.

The nrst general procla nation ap-
pointing fast day was issued by Pres
ident James Buchanan Dec. IA, 1860,
and reads as follows:
Numerous appeals have been made
to me by pious and patriotic associa-
lions and citizens. In view of the pres
ent distracted and dangerous condition
of our country, to recommend that a
day be set apart for humiliation, fast
ing and prayer throughout the Union.
In compliance with their request and
my own sense Of duty designate Fri
day, the 4th day of January. 1861. for
this purpose and recommend that the
people assemble on that day, according
TO their general forms Of worship, to
keep II as solemn fast
THE union of the states is at the
present moment threatened with alarm
ing and immediate danger. Panic and
distress Of fearful character prevail
throughout the lard. Our laboring
population are without employment
and consequently deprived of the
means of earning their bread Indeed.
hope seems 10 have deserted the minds
of men. All classes are in a state OF
confusion aud dismay, and the wisest
counsels of our best and purest men
are wholly disregarded.
I'm this the hour Of our calamity and
peril to whom shall we resort for relief
but to the God of our fathers? His
omnipoteut arm only can save US from
the awful effects Of our own crimes
and follies. our own ingratitude and
guilt toward our Heavenly Father.
Let US. then. with deep contrition
and penitent sorrow unite in humbling
ourselves before the Most High in con-
Tossing our individual and national
sins and in acknowledging the justice
of our punishment Let US implore
him 10 remove from our hearts that
false pride of opinion which would i'm
pei us TO persevere in wrong for the
sake of consistency rather than yield
a just submission to the Unforeseen
exigencies by which we are now sur
rounded. Let us with deep reverence
beseech him TO restore the friendship
and good will which prevailed In for
mer days among the people of the
several states and. above all. to save
US from the horrors of civil war and
blood gulltiness. Let our fervent pray
ers ascend to his throne that he will
not desert us in this hour of extreme
peril. but remember us as he did our
fathers in the darkest days OF the Rev
olution and preserve our constitution
and our Union. the work Of their
hands. for ages yet TO come. An ON
nipotent Providence may override ex-
listing evils for permanent good He
can make the wrath of man TO praise
him. and the remainder of wrath he
can restrain. Let me invoke every IN
dividual. in whatever sphere of life he
may be placed. TO feel a personal re-
sponsibility TO God and his country
for keeping this day holy and for con-
tributing all in his power to remove
our actual and impending difficulties.
JAMES BUCHANAN"
Good PRESIDENTS.
The two precedents which the colo
NAL governors had to guide them in
ordering a day for thanksgiving were
the national Thanksgiving held by or
der Of good Queen Bess after the de-
feat of the Spanish armada and that
of King James of England because the
gunpowder plot failed to materialize.
The weather is also inclined to slice
the country up into wet and dry belts.