Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-11-08
President Recalls Tragic
Events in Death of Mr.
Harding and Japanese Dis
aSter as Test for Nations

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6.-Presi-
dent Coolidge's Thanksgiving day
proclamation, issued today from the
White House, calls to mind that the
year has. brought to the American
people two tragic eXperiences-the
death of President Harding and the
Japanese earthquake-but says that
such experiences serves to test and
refine men and nations.
During the year, also, the procla-
nation says, the nation has been
blessed with much of material pros
perity.
The president asked that the peo-
pie gather in their homes and places
of worship on Thursday, NOvemut
30, to give expression to their graf
itude and seek the guidance of AL
mighty God that they may deserve
a continuance of His favor"
The proclamation follows:
by the president of the United
States Of America:
"A proclamation:
1.-THE American people, from their
earliest days, have observed the wise
system of acknowledging each year
the bounty with which Divine Provi-
dence has favored them. In the be-
ginnings, this acknowledgment was
a voluntary return of thanks by the
community for the fruitfulnesS of
the harvest. Though our mode of
life has greatly changed, this has al
ways survived. 1t has made Thanks
giving day not only one of the old
est, but one of the most Characters
tic Observances of our country. On
that day, in home and church, in
family and in public gatherings, the
whole nation has for generations
paid the tribute due from grateful
hearts for blessings bestowed
Tragic Experiences Recalled
ITO center our thought in this
way upon the favor which we have
been shown has been altogether wise
and desirable. 1t has given oppor
tunity justly to balance the good and
the evil which we have experienced,
in that we have never failed to find
reasons for being grateful to God for
generous preponderance of the
good. Even in the least propitious
times, broad contemplation of our
whole position has never failed to
disclose overwhelming reasons for
thankfulness. Thus viewing our sit
uatiOn, we have found warrant for
more hopeful and confident atti-
tude toward the future.
In this current year, we now ap-
proach the time which has been ac-
cepted by custom as most fitting for
the calm survey of our estate and
the return of thanks. We shall the
more keenly realize our good for
tune, if we will, in deep sincerity,
give it due thought, and more es-
pecially, if we will compare it with
that of any other community in the
world.
THE year has brought to our peo-
pie two tragic experiences which have
deeply affected them. One was the
death of our beloved President Hard
ing, which has been mourned where
ever there is a realization of the
worth of high ideals, noble purpose
and unseflish service carried even
to the end of supreme sacrifice. His
loss recalled the nation to a less
captious and more charitable atti-
tude. 1t sobered the whole thought
of the country. A little later came
the unparalleled disaster to the
friendly people of Japan. THIS
Called Iofth from the people of the
United States a demonstration of
deep and humane feeling. 1t was
wrought into the substance of good
works. 1t created new evidences of
our international friendship, which
is a guarantee of world peace. 1t
repenished the charitable impulse of
the country.
Men and Nations Tested
by experiences such as these,
men and nations are tested and re-
fined. We have been blessed with
much of material prosperity. We
shall be better able to appreciate it if
We remember the priVations others
have suffered, and we shall be the
more worthy of it if we use it for
their relief. We will do we'll then
to render thanks for the good that
has come to us and show by our
actions that we have become strong
er, wiser and truer by the chasten-
ings which have been imposed upon
us W. will thus prepare ourselves
f0v the part we must take in a world
which forever needs the full meas
IRE of service. We have been a most