Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1917-11-09
President Wilson Issues His
THANKSGIVING Proclamation.

w ashlngton, Nov. l.-l'resident
Wilson issued tonight his 1917
Thanksgiving proclamation calling
upon the nation even in the midst of
the sorrow of world shaken by war
TO thank God for blessings that are
better than mere peace of mind and
prosperity of enterprise.
The proclamation fixing Thursday,
November 20, as Thanksgiving Day
follows
THANKSGIVING-l9l7
"By the President of the United
States of America, A Proclamation.
at has long been the honored Gus.
tom OF our people to turn in the fruit
full autumn of the wear 10 praise and
thanksgiving to Almighty God for his
many blessings and merces to US as
a nation. That custom we can follow
even now in the midst OF the tragedy
of world shaken by war, and i'm
measurable disaster, in the midst of
sorrow and great p riI, because
amidst the darkness that has gathered
about us we can see the great bles-
sings God has bestowed upon us,
better than mere peace of mind and
prosperity of enterprise.
"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 tyranny
that threatened to master and debase
men everywhere, and joining with our
free peoples in demanding for all the
nations of the world what we then de-
manded and obtained for ourselves.
| In this day of the revelation of our
duty, t only TO defend our rights as
a nation but to defeLd 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 action. We have
| been brought to one MUD and pur-
pose. A new vigor of common coun.
| Gil and common action has been re-
vealed in US. We should especially
| thank God that in such circumstan.
COS, in the midst Of the greatest en-
terprise the spirits of men have en-.
TERED upon, we have, if we but OBJ
serve a reasonable and practical
iecoaomy, abundance with which to
tsuUpIH bD6 DOClo VI bfiDSt dSSOclaGGl
with us as we'll as our own. A new
Hight shines about us. The great
lduties of new day awaken new and
greater national spirit in u.s. We
lshall never again be divided Or won
der what stuff we are made of.
"And while we render thanks for
those things let US pray Almighty
IGod that in ali humhleness of spirit
We may look always to Him for
lgudauce; that re may be kept con
lstaDt IN the spirit of service, that by
His grace our minds mey be directed
land oar hands Strengthened, and that
in His good time liberty and security
and peace and the comradeship of a
common justice may be vouchsafed
all the nat ons of the earth.
"Wherefore, l, Woodrow Wilson,
Ipresident of the United States of
America do hereby designate Thurs
day, the 10th Of November. next, "a
q day of Thanksgiving and prayer.
and invite the people throughout
land to cease upon that day from
their ordinary occupations and al
their several homes and places o.
worship to render thanks to God, the
great ruler Of nStions.
, "In witness whereof, have here
/ unto set my hand and caused the sea
of the United States to be affixed.
Done In the District of Columbi,
this 7th day of November in the yea
of our Lor6 1917. and In the i3depen
denca OF the United States of Americ
the one hundred FORTY second.
"WOCDROW WILSON,
: "By the President:
q Robert Lansing,
Secretary of State.n