Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1917-11-15
WILSON ISSUES
THANKSGIVING
PROCLAMATION

Washington.--Pres Wilson 1,
ued his 1917 Thanksgiving proclams
ion. calling upon the nation. even 4
he midst of the sorrow and gres
'eril OF world shaken by war. 3
hank God for blessings that are be-
er than mere peace OF mind and pro.
'erity of enterprise.
The proclamation. fixing Thursda,
November 90, as Thanksgiving Da,
ollows:
''THANRSGIvING-1917.
by the President of. the Uni
ted States OF America. :.
"A Proclamation.
1T has long been the honored
custom of om people to turn In
the fruitful autumn of the year In
praise and thanksgiving 90 Al
mighty God for His many bless.
ings and mercies to us as a ma
tion. That custom we can follow
even now in the midst of the trag-
edy OF world shaken by war and
immeasurable 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.
We have been given the op-
portunity to serve mankind as we
once served ourselves I'm the great
day OF our Declaration OF indie
pendence. by taking up arms
against a tyranny that threatened
to master and debsse men every
where, and joining with other free
peoples in demanding for all the
nations of the world what we
then demanded and obtained for,
ourselves. In this day of the reve-
lation OF our duty not only TO de-
fend our own rights as a nation.
but to defend also the rights Of
free men throughout the world,
there has been vouchsafed us In
full and inspiring measure the
resolution and spirit OF united ao-
tfon. We have been brought to
one mind and purpose. A new
vigor of common council and COM
mon action has been revealed In
US. We should especially thank
God that in such circumstances.
In the midst OF the greatest en-.
terprise the spirit Of men have
entered upon, we hare. IL we but
observe reasonable and practica-
able economy, abundance with
which to supply the needs of those
associated with us as well as our
own. A new light shines about
us. The great duties of q new
day awaken q new and greater
national spirit in us. We shall
never again be divided or wonder
what stuff we are made of.
And while we render thanks
for those things, let us pray AL
mighty God that in all humble
ness OF spirit we may look always
to Him for guidance; that we may
be kept constant In the spirit and
purpose OF service; that by His
grace in our minds may be directed
and our hands strengthened: and
that In His good time liberty and
security and peace and the COM
radeship OF a common Justice may
be vouchsafed all the nations OF
the earth.
Wherefore, I. Woodrow VIII
son. President of the United
States OF America, do hereby des-
ignate Thursday, the twenty
ninth day OF November, next. as
day of Thanksgiving and prayer
and invite the people throughout
the land to cease upon that day
and In their several homes and
and places OF worship to render
thanks to God. the great ruler OF
nations.
In witness whereof. have
hereunto set my hand and caused
the seal CT the United States to
to be affixed.
Done in the District of Co.
lumbia. this seventh day OF No
vember. In the year of our Lord
one thousand nine hundred and
seventeen. and OF the independ.
ence OF the United States of
America the one hundred and
forty-second
WOODROW WILSON,