The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-11-22
Two Thanksgiving
ProcIamations Of
Revolutionary Days

~ ported to congress October is,
1888, by Duane, Samuel Hunt
/ lngton and Holten. II was written by
Mr.. Duane and given to the people on
the second Thursday In December. IL
expresses thanks for the discharge Of
troops in the following words:
whereas, II has pleased the Su-
preme Ruler Of all human events to
dispose the hearts Of the late belllg-
erent powers TO put n period to the
effuslon Of human blood, by proclaim
ing a cessation Of all hostilitles by
sea and land, and these United States
are not only happily rescued from the
dangers and calamities to which they
have been so long exposed, but their
freedom, sovereignty and indepen-
dence are ultimately acknowledged
and, whereas, In the process of con-
test on which the most essential rights
of human nature depended the inter-
position of divine providence in our
favor hath been most abundantly and
most graciously manifested, and the
citizens of these United States have
every reason for praise and gratitude
to the God Of their salvation the
United States In congress assembled
do recommend IL to the several states
to set apart the second Thursday in
December next as day of public
thanksgiving"
The first national Thanksgiving to
be promulgated after the adoption OF
the Constitution of the United States
was written by Washington and issued
on October 3, 1889. This was gen
eral recommendation of thanksgiving
for the establishment of the Constitu-
ton. The whereabouts of the original
of this instrument is unknown. The
earliest Thanksgiving proclamation Of
Washington as president in the pos
session of the department of state Is
one dated January 1, 1875, and was
issued in view of the suppression of
the rebellion in western Pennsylvania,
which for time threatened the safety
Of the union.
This document was written by Alex
ander Hamilton, secretary of the treas
ury, and bears amendments by Ed
The original copy is yellow and the
ink Is faded, but 1t Is yet legible. 1t
is the engrossed copy which bears the
great seal of the United States and the
signatures of Washington and Ran
dolph. The proclamation is as fol-
lows:
"When we review the calamities
which afflict so many other nations.
the present condition of the United
States affords much of consolation and
satisfaction. Our exemption hitherto
from foreign war, an increasing pros
pect of the continuance of that exemp-
ton, the great degree of internal tran
guilty we have enjoyed, the recent
confirmation of that tranquility by the
suppression of an insurrection which
so wantonly threatened it, the happy
course of our public affairs in general,
the unexampled prosperity of all class
es of our citizens, are circumstances
which peculiarly mark our situation
with indications OF the divine benefi-
cence toward us. In such II state 1t Is
an especial manner our duty as Il peO-
pie, with devOut reverence and affec-
tionatc gratitude, Ia acknowledge our
many and great obligations TO almighty
God, and to implore him to continue
and confirm Ahe blessings we expe-
rience.
deeply penetrated with this senti-
ment, l. George Washington, president
of the United States, do recommend
TO all religious societies and denom-
nations, and to all persons whomsO-
ever within the United States, to set
apart and observe Thursday, the 10th
day of February next, as day of pub
lie thanksgiving and prayer, and on
that day to meet together and render
their sincere thanks 10 the great ruler
OF nations for the manifold and signal
mercies which distinguish our lot as
a nation, particularly for the possess
sion of constitutions of government
which unite and by their union estab-
fish liberty with order, for the preser-
vatlon of our peace, foreign and do
nestle; for the seasOnable control
which has been given to the spirit Of
disorder in the suppression Of the late
tpa