, 1920-11-18

government a blessing to the people by constantly
being a government of wise, just and constitu-
uonal laws, directly and faithfully executed and
oDeyed; TO protect and guide all sovereigns and
unions, especially such as have shown kindness
to us, and to bless them with good government
ana peace and concord; to promote the knowledge
ana practice of true religion and virtue and the
increase or science among them and us, and gen.
erahy to grant unto all mankind such a degree
or 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, as stated, no 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 as a national institution It
dates back to the Revolution, but IL we have In
mind the annual harvest Thanksgiving day II be-
comes nationalized through the adoption of 1t by
the several states, and the first appointment was
by Abraham Lincoln November 20, 1868. That
proclamation is. In part, as follows:
"The year that is drawing to its close has been
filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and
healthful 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 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 notwith-
standing the waste that has been made In camp,
the siege and the battlefield. and the country, re-
joicing In the consciousness of augmented
strength and vigor, is permitted to expect contin-
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,
vino. while dealing with us in anger for our sins.
hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
ut 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. / do. therefore,
invite my fellow citizens, In every part OF the
United States, and also those who are at sea and
those who are sojournlng in foreign lands, to set
apart and observe the last Thursday in November
next as a day of Thanksgiving and prnise TO our
benencent Father, who dwelleth in the heavens.
And | 10 them that while Offering up
the Inscriptions justly due to Him for such singn.
lar deliverances and blessings they do also. with
humble p~enltence for our national perverseness
and dlsobedlence, commend to His tender care all
those who have become widows. orphans, mourn
es or sufferers In the lomentnble civil strife I'm
which we are now unavoidably engaged, and
fervently implore the interposition OF the Almighty
hand to heal the wounds OF the nation and to
restore II. as soon as may be consistent with the
Divine purposes. to the full enjoyment OF peace,
harmony. tranquility and union.
"In testimony whereof l have hereunto set nv
hand and caused 9he seal OF the United Stntes 10
be affixed.
Done Mt the city of Washington, the third day
Of October, A. ID. 1868, and Of the independence
of the United states, the elghty-elghth.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN"
SO It was Abraham Lincoln who first named
the last Thursday In November In his proclaim.
ton Of 1868 and thus fixed the date of the annual
celebration OF Thanksgiving.