The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-11-18

. = --.s ~ - -
government blessing to the people by constantly
being government Of wise. just and constitu-
uonal laws, directly and faithfully executed and
obeyed; to protect and guide all sOvereigns and
nations, especially such as have shown kindness
to u.s. and to bless them with good government
and peace and concord; to promote the knowledge
and practice of true religion and virtue and the
increase of science among them and US, and gen.
orally to grant unto all mankind such a degree
of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be
best.
"Given under my hand at the city Of New
York the third day of October In the year Of our
Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty
nine.
GEORGE WASHINGTON"
There is, stated, statutory provision for
our Thanksgiving proclamations nor for their
date. In evidence of this President Andrew john
sons first Thanksgiving proclamation designated
the first Thursday in December, 1865 If we speak
of Thanksgiving day a national institution it
dates back to the Revolution but il we have IN
mind the annual harvest Thanksgiving day it be-
comes natiOnaliZed through the adoption OF 1t by
the several states, and the first appointment was
by Abraham Lincoln November g. 1858. That
proclamation Is in part, as follows:
1.-The year that is drawing to its close has been
filed with the blessings Of fruitful fields and
healthfu 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 or the ship; the has enlarged
the borders OF our settlements, and the Mines as
have yielded abundantly than hereto
fore Population has steadily increased notwith-
standing the waste that has been made in camp
the siege and the battlefield and the country,
joicing in the consciousness of augmented
strength and vigor, is permitted to expect contn-
uance of years with large increase of freedom.
mo 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 in anger for our sins
hath nevertheless remembered
at has seemed to me fit and proper that
they should be sOlemniy. fervently and gratefully
acknowledged, a with heart and one voice
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 day Of Thanksgiving and praise to our
benefcent Fatha, who dwelieth in the heavens
And I recommend to them that while Offering ND
the Inscriptions justly due to Him for such singu-
lar deliverances and blessings they do also with
humble peDitence for national perverseness
and disobedience, commend to His tender care all
those who have become widows. orphans mourn
ers sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in
which unavoidabIy engaged and
fervently mplOre the interpOsition the Almighty
hand to heal the wounds OF the nation and IN
restore it, soon may be consistent with the
Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment OF peace
harmony, tranquility and union.
'In testimony whereof Lave hereunto set NV
hand and caused the seal Of the United States "a
be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, the third day
OF October, A D. 1853. and of the Independence
OF the United States, the eighty-eighth
ABRAHAM LINCOLN"
So it was Abraham Lincoln who first named
the last Thursday in November in his proclama-
ton of 1868 and thus fixed the date OF the annual
celebration OF Thanksgiving.