Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-11-05
INVITES NATION
To OFFER THANKS
President Wilson Asks Observ-
anee of Thanksgiving Day.
MAKES PEACE HIS THEME
Nations Chief Executive Points Out
the Lessons of European War and
Blessings of America in An
nual Proclamation.

Washington, Oct. 30 President
Wilson issued his annual Thanksgiv-
ing proclamation, setting Thursday.
November Is, as day of ''thanksgiv-
ing and prayer" and inviting the peo-
pie throughout the land to cease from
their wonted occupations and in their
several homes and places of worship
to render thanks to Almighty God.
The proclamation follows:
1T has long been the honored Gus
tom of our people TO turn in the fruit
full autumn Of the year in praise
and thanksgiving to Almighty God for
his many blessings and mercies to US
as nation The year that is now
drawing to a close since we last OBJ
served our day Of national thanksglV-
ing has been, while a year Of discl-
pine because of the mighty forces OF
war and of change which have dis
turbed the world, also year OF spe-
cial blessing for US.
1T has been vouchsafed for US to
remain at peace with honor and in
some parts to succor the suffering
and supply the needs Of those VINO
are in want We have been priv
LEGGED by our own peace and self
control in some degree to steady the
counsels and shape the hopes and
purposes Of a day of fear and distress.
Our people have looked upon their
own life as O nation with a deeper
comprehension, deeper realization
of their responsibilities as well as
their blessings and keener sense OF
the moral and practical significance OF
what their part among the nations OF
the world may come to be.
1.-THE hurtful effects of foreign war
in their own industrial and CONNER
cial affairs have made them feel the
more fully and see the more clearly
their mutual dependence upon one
another and have stirred them to
helpful cooperation such as they have
seldom practiced before. They have
been quickened by a great moral
stimulation. Their unmistakable ar
dor for peace, their earnest pity and
disinterested sympathy for those who
are suffering. their readiness to help
and to think of the needs of others
have revealed them to themselves as
we'll as the world.
Our crops will feed all who need
food the self-possession of our peo-
pie amid the most serious anxieties
and difficulties and the steadiness and
resourcefulness of our business men
will serve other nations as well as
our own.
"The business of the country has
been crippled with new instrumental
tiles, and the commerce of the world
with new channels Of trade, and inter
course. The Panama canal has been
opened to the commerce of the ma
tions. The two continents of America
have been bound in closer guise of
friendship New instrumentalities of
international trade have been created
which will be also new instrumental
ties of acquaintance, intercourse and
mutual service. Never before have
the people of the United States been
so situated for their own advantage
or the advantage of their neighbors,
or so equipped to serve themselves
and mankind.
Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Will
son, president of the United States of
America, do hereby designate Thurs
day, the 26th of November next, as
day of thanksgiving and prayer and
invite the people throughout the land
to cease from their wonted occupa-
lions and in their several homes and
places of worship render thanks to
Almighty God.
TN witness whereof I have here
unto set my hand and cause the seal
of the United States to be affixed
Done at the city of Washington,
this 26th day Of October, in the year
of our Lord one thousand nine hun
dred and fourteen and of the indie
pendence of the United States Of
America the one hundred and thirty
ninth.
WOODROW WILSON,
by the President, Robert Lansing,
Acting Secretary of State"