Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-11-16
WILSON ISSUES
THANKSGIVING
PROCLAMATION

SUED MS lSll lHdHhsSlVIH6 pIoCEnAu'
ton, calling upon the nation, even
the midst of the sorrow and grei
peril OF a world shaken by war.
thank God for blessings that are be
ter than mere peace Of mind and pro
perity OF enterprise.
The proclamation, fixing Thursda,
20, as Thanksgiving Da,
follows:
"THANKSGTvING--19l7.
'Dy the President OF the Unit
ted States OF America.
"A Proclamation.
II, has long been the hOnored
custom OF our people to turn In
the fruitful autumn Of the year In
praise and Thanksgiving to Al
mighty God for His many bless
ings and mercies to us as a ma
ton. That custom we can follow
even now I'm the midst OF the trag-
edy of a 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,
I'VE have been given the or
portunity to serve mankind as W.
once served ourselves In the great
day OF our Declaration Of indie
pendence, by taking up arms
against a Tyranny that threatened
10 master and dehase 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 revo
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 &C
ton. 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 thanh
God that in such circumstances.
in the midst OF the greatest ell
terprise the spirit OF men have
entered upon. we have, II we bat
observe d reasonable and practica.
able economy, abundance with
which to supply the needs OF those
associated with us az well as our
own. A new light shines about
US. The great duties Of new
day awaken a 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 common justice may
be vouchsaied all the nations OF
the. earth.
Wherefore. !, Woodrow VIII
son, President OF the United
States OF America, do hereby 6es-
ignate Thursday, the twenty
ninth day OF November, next, as
. day o. thanksgiving and prayer
and invite the people throughout
the land to cease upon that day
and in their several bones and
and places OF worship ~ rende-
thanks to God. the great ruler OF
nations.
In witness whereof. have
hereunto set Ny hand and caused
the seal Of the United States TO
10 be affixed.
Done In the District of Co.
lumbia, this seventh day Of No.
yember, 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"
Al n