The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-07
THANKSGIVING DAY SET BY COOLIDGE
Says Nations BIesSed-Re- ferS To Harding'S Death and
 Japanese Earthquake

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6.-President Coolidge's Thanksgiving Day procla- nation, issued today from the White House. calls to mind that the year has brought to the American people two tragic e&periences-the death of President Harding, and the Japanese earthquake-but says that such ex- periences serve to test and refine men and nations.
 During the year also, the procls- nation says, .the nation has been blessed with much of material pros- perity. The President asked that the people gather in their homes and places of worship on Thursday, No vember 29, to give expression to their gratitude and seek the guidance of Almighty God that they may deserve 6 continuance of Ills favor"
 The proclamation follows:
 By the President of the United States of America.
 "A proclamation.
 O O O
 Accustomed To Thanks.
 "The American people from their earliest days have observed the wise custom of acknowledging each year the bounty with which Divine Provi- dence has favored them. In the be- ginnings this acknowledgment was voluntary return of thanks by the community for the fruitfulness of the harvest. Though our mode of life has greatly changed this custom has always survived. It has made Thanksgiving Day not only one of the oldest but one of the most char acteristic observances of our country. In that day in home and church, in family and in public gatherings the whole nation has for generations paid the tribute due from grateful blassiDDq bastoyUed
 ITO center OUT thought in this way upon the favor which we have been shown, has been altogether wise and desirable. It has given oppor- tunity justly to balance the good and the evil which we have experi- enced. In that we have never failed to find reasons for being grateful to God for a generous preponderance of the good. Even in the least propiti- ous time a broad contemplation of our whole position has never failed to disclose overwhelming reasons for thankfulness. Thus viewing our situation we have found warrant for a more hopeful and confident attitude toward the future.
 o O o
 Draws Comparison.
 "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 fortune If we will in deep sincerity give to it due thought and more especially if we will compare 1t with that of any other community in the world. The year has brought to our people two tragic experiences which have deeply affected them. One was the death of our beloved President Harding which h1a ad NUbnraNQT thRTn is realization of the worth of high ideals, noble purpose and unselfsh service carried even to the end of the supreme sacrifice. His loss recalled the nation to a less captious and more charitable attitude. It sobered the whole thought of the country. A little later came the rnparalled dis aster to the friendly people of Japan This called forth from the people Of the United States q demonstration or deep and humane feeling. It was wrought into the substance of good works. It created new evikAnces of our international friendship which is a guarantee of world peace. It re- plenished the charitable impulse of the country.
 By experiences such as these, men and nations are tested and renneo. We have been blessd with much of material prosperity. We shall be better able to appreciate it if we re- member the privations others have suffered, and we shall be the more worthy of it if we use for ther relief We will do well then to rem der thanks for the good that has come to us and show by our actions that we have become stronger, wiser and truer by the chastenings which have been imposed upon us. We Will thus prepare ourselves for the part we must have in a world which TOT ever needs the full measure of serV- ice. We have ben most favored people We ought to be a most gem erous people. We have been most blessed people. We ought to be most thankful people.
 o. O o
 Sets November 20.
 "Wherefore, I, Calvin Coolidge, Pre- sident of the United States, do hereby fix and designate Thursday. the twenty-ninth day of November. as Thanksgiving Day, and recom- mend its general observance throughout the land. It is urged that the people gather in their homes and their usual places of wor- ship, give expression to their grati tude for the benefits and blessings that a gracious providence has be- slowed upon them. and seek the guidanc eof Almighty God that they may deserve a continuance of His favor.
 Tn witness whereof, I have here