Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1917-11-14
PRESIDENT SETS ASIDE
DAY FOR THANKSGIVING
Issues Proclamation Naming No
vember 29-Why America Can
Be Thankful in Time Of War.
No. 5

President Wilson issued 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,
November %. as Thanksgiving day, fol-
lows:
Thanksgiving. 1917. -"
by the President of the United States
OF America:
"a proclamation:
1T has long been the honored custom
or our people to turn in the fruitful
autumn Of the year in praise and
thanksgiving to Almighty God for His
many blessings and mercies to us as
q nation. That custom we can follow
now, even In the midst OF the tragedy
OF world shaken by war and immeas.
urable 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 bestowed upon us-biessings that
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 Independence, by taking
up arms against tyranny that threat
ened to master and debNse men every
where and Joining with other free peo-
pies 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 q nation.
but to defend also the rights Of free
men throughout the world, there has
been vouchsafed US In full and inspir-
ing measure the resolution and spirit
OF united action. We have been brought
to one mind and purpose. A new vigor
OF common counsel ana common action
has been revealed In US. We should es-
pecially thank God that In such ciYcum-
stances. In the midst of the greatest
enterprise the spirits of men have ever
entered upon, we have, IL we but OBJ
serve q reasonable and practicable
economy, abundance with which to SUP
ply the needs Of those associated with
US as well as our own. A new light
a new day awaken new and greater
spirit in us. We shall never
again be divided or wonder what stun
we are made Of. >
And while we render thap2Ss for these
things let US pray Almighty God that
In all ~humbleness OF spirit we may
look always ito Him for guidance: that
we may be kept constant in the spirit
and purpose OF service: that by His
grace our minds may be directed ana
our ha@ds strengthened, and that IN
Bis good time liberty and security and
peace and the c0mradeship of q COM
mon justice may be vOuchsafed all the
nations Of the earth.
Wherefore. /, Woodrow Wilson, Presi-
lent Of the United States OF America.
10 hereby designate Thursday, the
twenty ninth day OF November next. a.
, day Of thanksgiving and prayer. and
invite the people throughout the land
70 cease upon that day from theiP 0Pdf.
harry occupations and in their several
homes and places Of worship to render
hanks to God the great ruler Of ma
ions.
I'm witness whereof have hereumso
yet my hand and caused the seal OF the
United States to be afRx@1. -
'DOne tm the District og Columbia RAfa
Deventh day Of NOyembeg. A tha xea9
" our Lord one thousand nina hundra1
md seventeen, and OF the sndeuAndemsca
4 the United States Of AwAaRaea tha enna
hundred and 6orGy-@ecoMd.
WOODROW WILSON"
''By tho PresGdent:
Robert Lansing.
Secretary Of State