Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-08
GIVE THANKS TO GOD
IN MIDST OF STRIFE
PRESIDENTS CALL

Washington. d. c., Nov. 8.-Presi-
dent Wilson issued last night his 1917
Thanksgiving proclamation calling
upon the nation, even in the midst of
the sorrow and great peril Of world
shaken by war, to thank God for bless
ings that are better than mere peace
Of mind and prosperity of enterprise.
The proclamation fixing Thursday,
Nov. %, as Thanksgiving day follows:
BY the President Of the United
States of America
"A PROCLAMATION.
ut has long been the honored Gus
tom of our people to turn in the fruit
full autumn of the year in praise and
thanksgiving to Almighty God for His
many blessings and mercies to us as a
nation. That custom we can follow
now even III the midst of the tragedy
of a world shaken by war and i'm
measurable disaster, in the midst OF
sorrow and great peril, because even
amidst the darkness that has gathered
about us we can see the great bless
ings God has bestowed upon us, bless
I ings that are better than mere peace
Of mind and prosperity of enterprise
I'VE have been given the opp0rtu-
nifty to serve mankind as we once
served ourselves in the great day OF
our Declaration of independence by
taking up arms against a tyranny that
I threatened to master and debase mer
everywhere and joining with Other
: free people in demanding for all tht
nations Of the world what we ther
/ demanded and obtained for ourselves
| In this day of the revelation o
our duty not only to defend our owl
rights as nation but to defend alst
/ the rights of free men throughout th'
world there has been vouchsafed US il
| full and inspiring measure the reso
luton and spirit of united action. VI
have been brought to one mind ant
purpose. A new vigor of common
counsel and common action has beer
! revealed in us.
I'VE should especially thank Go
that in such circumstances, in tn
midst Of the greatest enterprise tina
spirits of men have ever entered upor
4 we have, If we but observe a reason
able and practicable economy, abund
anee with which to supply the need
of those associated with us as well a
our own. A new light shines abou
us. The great duties of day awake
new and greater national spirit /
us. We shall never again be divide
or wonder what stuff We are made o
And while We render thanks fo
these things let us pray Almighty Go
that in all humbleness of spirit W
may look always to Him for guidance
that we may be kept constant in th
: spirit and purpose of service; that b
J His grace our minds may be directe
: and our hands strengthened; and thf
. in His good time liberty and securit
and peace and the comradeship of
) common justice may be ,youchsafe
: all the nations of the earth.
) s.Wherefar. l, Woodrow Wilson
: president OF the United States {
. America. do hereby designate Thur
day, the 29th day of November mex
las day of Thanksgiving and prayt
: and invite the people throughout II
S land TO cease upon that day from the
t ordinary occupations and in their Sc
e eral homes and places of worship
: render thanks TO God, the great ruiz
e OF nations.
t .In witness whereof l have her
4 unto set my hand and caused the Sc
: of the United States to be affixed.
Done in the District of Columb
this eth day of November in the YET
Of our Lord one thousand nine hui
: dred and seventeen and OF the ind
Il pendeace OF the United States
6 America the one hundred and fort
: second.
\ WOODROW WILSON"
: by the president: Robert Lansin
iSecretary OF State.