Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-11-15
Wilson'S Thanksgiving Proclamation
Urges Prayer for World Liberty

Urges Prayer for World Liberty
vUYAsHINcTo November s. President Wilson issued
w las, night his 1917 Thanksgiving proclamation calling
w upon the nation. even in the midst Of the horror and
great peril Of a world shaken by war. to thank God for blessings
that are better than mere peace of mind and prosperity Of enter
prises. The proclamation, fixing Thursday, november 20, as
Thanksgiving Day, follows:
Thanksgiving, 1917.
by the Prssaen, Of the United states Of America;
a PROCLAMATION.
at has long been the hOnored custom Of our people to turn
in the fruitful autumn of the year in praise and Thanksgiving to
Almighty God for his many blessings and mereies 70 US as a nation
That custom WI can follow now even in the midst Of tragedy Of a
world shaken by war and Unreasonable disaster, in the midst Of
sorrow and great peril, because even amid the darkness that has
gathered about US we can sec great blessings God has bestowed
upon us. blessings that are better than mere peace of mind and
prosperity Of enterprise.
I'VE have been given the opportunity to serve mankind as we
once served ourselves in the great day OF our Declaration Of hide
pendenee, by taking up arm against a tyranny that threatened to
master and debase men everywhere 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 revelation of our duty not only to defend
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 action. We
have been brought to one mind and purpose. A new vigor of COM
mon counsel and common action has been revealed in Us. We should
especially thank God that such circumstances, in the midst of
Ie taVes enterprise n Spirits o. men nave v entered upon,
we have, if we but observe a reasonable and practicable 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 a 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 these things, let us pray
Almighty God that in all ~humbeness 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 our minds may be direct
ed and our hands strengthened, and that in His good time liberty
and security and the comradeship of a common justice may be
vouchsafed all the nations of the earth.
"Wherefor, !, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United
States of America, do hereby designate Thursday, the 29th day of
November, next, as a day of Thanksgiving and prayer, and invite
the people throughout the land to cease upon that day their ordin-
airy occupations and in their several homes and places of worship
to render thanks to God, the great Ruler of nations.
"ln witness whereof | have hereunto set my hand and caused
the seal of the United States to be affixed.
"Done in the District of Columbia, the It'll day Of November,
in the year of our Lord, 1917, and of the Independence Of the United
States of America the 142d. WOODROW WILSON"
by the President.
ROBERT LANSING, Secretary of State"