New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1920-11-19

government Il blessing 10 the people by constant.
being II government of wise, just and constitu
tlonal laws, directly and faithfully executed ant
oDeNed; to protect aud guide all soyereigns ant
nations especially such us have shown kindness
10 us, and To bless them with good government
ana peace ana concord; TO promote the knowledge
ana practice of true religion and virtue and The
increase OF science among them and US, and gen
crafty TO grant unto all mankind such IA degre'
OF temporal prosperity MS lie alone knows to b'
best.
"Given under my hand Mt the city of New
York, the third day of October, in the year of on
Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty
nine.
"GEORGE WASHINGTON"
There is, as stated, no statutory provision FOR
our Thanksgiving ~oclamatio nor for their
date. In evidence of this President Andrew John
sons first Thanksgiving proclamation designated
the first Thursday In Decembc 1866. If We speak
of Thanksgiving day as a national Institution II
iates back to the Revolution, but If W. have In
mind the annual harvest Thanksgiving day II be-
comes natlonalzed through the adoption Of II by
the several states. and the first appointment was
by Abraham Lincoln November 20, 1863. That
proclamation is, in part, as follows:
THE year that Is drawing 10 its close has been
filed with the blessings of fruitful fields and
heaithful skies. Needful diversions of health
and Of strength from the fields Of peaceful indus
try to the national defense have not arrested the
pillow, the shuttle OF the ship; the AK has enlarged
the borders Of our settlements. and the mines. as
well of iron and of coal as of precious metals,
have yielded even more abundantly than hereto.
fore. Population has steadily increased notwlth-
standing the waste that has been made In camp,
the Siege and the battlefield. and the country. re-
jolcing IN the consciousness of augmented
strength and yieor. Is permitted TO expect contin-
uance of years with large increase Of freedom.
"No human counsel hath devised, nor hath
any mortal hand worked out these great things.
They are the gracious gift Of the most high God,
who, while dealing with Us In anger For our sins,
hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
1T has seemed to me fit and proper that
they should be solemnly. fervently and gratefully
acknowledged. as with one heart and one voice,
by the whole American people. I do, therefore.
invite my fellow citizens in every part OF the
United States, and also those who are at sea and
those who are sojourning in foreign lands. TO set
apart and observe the last Thursday in November
next as a day Of Thanksgiving and praise TO our
b%enefcent Father, who dwelieth in the heavens.
And | recommend to them that while Offering up
the descriptions justly due TO Him for such singu-
lar deliycranccs and blessings they do also. with
humble penitence for our national perverseness
ard dlsobedience. commend to His tender care all
those who have become widows. orphans. mourn
es or sufferers Ia the lamentable civil strife in
which we are now unavOidably engaged. and
feryently frIplore the interposition Of the Almighty
hand to heal the wounds Of the nation and TO
restore it. as soon as may be consistent with the
Divine purposes. to the full enjoyment Of peace.
harmony. tranquility and union.
ain testimony whereof I Lave hereunto set my
hand and caused the seal of the United States TO
be affixed.
Done at the city Of Washington, the third day
Of October, A. d.. 1863. and Of the Independence
Of the United States. the eighty eighth.
ABRAHAM
So II was Abraham Lincoln who first named
the last Thursday in November in his procIama-
ton of 1863 and thus fixed the date of the annual
celebration of Thanksgiving.