The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-11-15
Wilson Issues Proclamation for War
time Thanksgiving.

dent Wilson issued tonight his 1917
Thanksgiving proclamation, calling
upon the nation, even in the midst OF
the sorrow and great peril of world
shaken by, war, to thank God for
peace OF mind and prosperity Of en-
The proclamation, fixing Thursday,
November 20, as Thanksgiving day,
follows:
by the president of the United
States of America:
"a proclamation:
st has long been the honored
custom of our people to turn in the
fruitful autumn of the year in praise
and thanksgiving to Almighty God
for His blessings and mercies to us
as a nation. That custom we can fol-,
low, now even in the midst OF the
and Unacceptable disaster, in the
midst of sorrow and great peril, be-
cause even amidst the darkness that
has gathered about us, we. can see
the great blessings God has bestowed
upon us, blessings that are better
than mere peace OF mind and pros
perity of enterprise.
1--WE have been given the oppor-
tunity to serve mankind as we once
served ourselves in the great day OF
our Declaration of Independence, by
taking up arms against a tyranny
that threatened to master and debase
men everywhere and Joining with
other free people in demanding for
all the nations of the world what we
then demanded and obtained for our
selves. In this day of the revelation
of our duty not only to defend our
own rights as nation but to defend
also the rights Of free men through
out the world, there has been vouch-
safed us in full and inspiring meas
ed action. We save been brought TO
one mind and purpose. A new vigor
of common counsel and common &C
ton has been revealed in us. we
should especially thank God that In
such circumstances, in the midst OF
men have ever entered upon, we
have, if we but observe unreasonable
and practicable economy, abundance
with which to supply the needs of
those associated with us as we'll as
our own. A new light shines about
us. The great duties OF a day
awaken new and greater national
be divided or wonder what stuff we
are made of.
And while we render thanks for
these things let us pray Almighty
God that in all humbleness of spirit i
we may look always to Him for guild !
ance; that we may be kept constant !
in the spirit and purpose OF service;
that by His grace our minds may be
directed and our hands strengthen ,
ed; and that in His good time OF lib- j
erty and security and peace and the
of a common justice
may be ;Guchsafed all the nations
of the earth. ,,.,
"WherefOre, l, Woodrow Wilson.
president of the United States OF
do hereby designate IhuTs-
day, the twenty-ninth day OF NO
vember next, as a day of thanksgly-
ing and prayer. and invite the people
the land to cease upon
that day from their ordinary occupa,
lions and in their several homes ana
places of worship to render thanks
to God, the crest ruler Of nations.
"In witness whereof, have mere
unto set my hand and caused the
seal of the United States to be at
fixed.
"Done in the District Of Colum-
bia. this seventh day of November. in
the year of our Lord. one thou
sand nine hundred and seventeen,
and of the independence Of the Unit
ed States the one hundred forty
second.
Woodrow Wilson.
by the president:
"RObert Lansing,
Secretary Of State"