Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-11-08
PRESIDENT CALLS
ON NATION TO PAY
HOMAGE TO DEITY
ANNUAL THANKSGIVING PROC.
LAMATiON STlRS AMERICANS
TO HIGHER Acrs AND DEEDS
SHOULD GIVE THANKS TO COD.

Washington, ID. C., Nov. S.-Pres
dent Wilson today issued his Thank,
giving proclamation calling upon III
whole country 10 give thanks "a Coz
in midst of war" and TO observe III
day as one of homage 10 diet by look
ing 10 him Tor guidance IN the midS
OF great peril OF "A world torn apart b!
strife.
The proclamation which fixes No
yember 20 as The day for this ob,ery
ance follows.
BY the President OF the United
States OF America.
"A PROCLAMATION.
ut has long been the hon0red Gus
tom of our people To turn in the
fruitful autumn of The year in praise
and thanksgiving to Almighty God
for his many blessings and mercies
10 us as a nation. That custom We.
can follow now even in the midst
of the tragedy of a world shaken by
war and unreasonable disaster, in
the midst of sorrow and great peril,
because even amidst the darkness
that has gathered about us We can
see the great blessings God has be.
slowed upon US blessings that are
better than mere peace of mind and
prosperity Of enterprise.
I'VE have been given The olpor-
tunity to serve mankind as we once
served ourselves in the great day
of our Declaration of independence
by taking up arms against a tyraI.
ny that threatened to master and
debase men everywhere and join
ing with other free peoples i'm de-
handing Tor all the nations of the
world what we then demanded and
obtained for ourselves.
In this day Of the revelation Of
our duty not only to defend our own
rights as a nation but to defend also
the rights of free men turnout the
world there has been vouchsafed Us
N full and inspiring measure the
resolution and spirit OF united &C.
ton. We have been brought to one
mind and purpose. A new yigor Of
common counsel and common action
has been revealed in us.
We should especially thank God
that in such circumstances, in the
midst OF the greatest enterprise that
spirits Of men have ever entered
upon. we have, il we but observe a
reasonable and practicable economy,
abundance with which to supply the
needs of those associated with lis as
well as n own. A new light shines
about us. The great duties of a day
awaken a new and greater national
spirit In us, We shall never again
be divided or wonder what stuff va
are made OF,
And while we render thanks for
these things let us pray Aim iehty
God that in all hnmbleness of spirit
we may look always to him for
guidance; that we may be kept con.
slant in the spirit and purpose of
service; that by his grace our minds
may be directed and our hand,
strengthened; and that in his coed
time liberty and security and peace
and the comradeship Of a common
Justice may be %yolchsafed all lhe
nations Of the earth.
Wherefore, |, Woodrow Wilson,
President of the United States of
America, do hereby designate Thurs
day, the 18th day Of November nex
as a day Of thanksgiving ana PRAYER
ana invite the people thruout the
land 10 cease upon that day from
their ordinary occupations and \
their several homes and places wor
snip to render thanks to God. .be
great ruler Of nations.
IN witness whereof | have here
unto set my hand and caused lbe
seal OF the United States to hc #
fixed.
Done in the District Of Colnm
TINS lth day Of November in the wear
OF our Lord one thousand nine nan.
dred and seventeen and of the n.
dependence Of the United States d
America the II hundred and forty.
second.
WOODROW WILSON
by the President. Robert i.anq
ing, Secretary OF State"