Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-11-06
THANKSGIVING
PROCLAMATION
President Coolidge Calls At
tention TO Harding's Death
and Japanese Earthquake

WASHINGTON. Nov. 6-Presi-
dent Coolidge's Thanksgiving proc
lamation issued toby from the
White House calls to mind tiiat the
year has brought to the American
people two tragic experiences-the
death of President Harding and the
Japanese earthquake-but says h a
such experiences serve to test ana
refte men and nations.
During the year also, tt proc
Ianlation says, the nation has been
blessed with much of material pros
perity. The President asked that
the people gather in their homes
and places orship on Thursaay,
November 20. to give expression to
their gratit"' seek the g1io-
ance Of Almighty God that they
may deserve a continuance OF His
favor.
The proclamation follows;
By the President OF the United
States of America;
A Proclamation
The American people from thelr
earliest days have observed the wise
custom OF acknowledging each year
the bounty with which Divine Provi-
UGHCe mas ldNOlC GU NiiCili III nv ~
ginning this acknowledgment was
a voluntary return OF thanks by the
community for the f%ruitfulness of
the harvest. Though our mode of
life has greatly changed, this custom
has always survived. 1t has made
Thanksgiving Day not only one of
the dolest, but one Of the most
characteristic observances OF u
country. On that day, in home and
church, in family and in public gath
erings, the whole nation has for gen.
erations paid the tribute due from
grateful hearts for blessings be-
slowed.
To center our thought in his way
upon the favor which we have been
shown has been altogether wise and
desirable. 1t has given opportunity
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 a generous preponderance of the
rood, Even in the least propitious
times, q broad contemplation of our
whole position has never failed TO
disclose overwhelming reasons for
thankfulness. Thus viewing u
situation, we have found warrant
for a more hopeful and confident
attitude toward the future.
In this current year. we now APP
proach the time which has beer ae-
icepted by custom as most fitting for
The calm survey OF our estate n
the return OF thanks, We shal the
more keenly realize our good for
tune IL we will, in deep sincerity
Give to 1t due thought and more es-
pecially IL we will compare 1t 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
Harding which has been mourned
wherever there is a realization of tho
worth of high ideals, noble purpose
and unsellsh service carried even to
the end of supreme sacrifice. His
loss recalled the nation to a less
eaptious and more charitable atti-
ture. 1t sobbed the whole thought
OF the country. A little later came
the unparalleled disaster to the
friendly people of Japan. This call
ed forth from the people OF the
United States a demonstration OIL
deep and humane feeling. 1t was
wrought into the substance of good
works. 1t created new evidences OF
our international friendship which is
Il guarante- of world peace. 1t re-
plenished the charitable impulse of
he country.
BY experiences such as these, men
and nations are tested and refined.
We have been blessed with mu7h
of material prosperity. We shall be
better able to appreciate 1t if we
9LA NANsttrnf inTE nfhnIG
have suffered and we shall be the
more worthy Of 1t if we use it for
their relief. We will do well then,
to render thanks for the good that
has come to us and show by u ac-
tons that we have become stronger,
wiser, and truer by the c~hastenings
which has been imposed upon us.
We will thus prepare ourselves Tor
the part we must have in a world
which forever need the full measure
or service. We have been a most
favored people. We ought to be n
most generous people. We have
been a most blessed people. we
ought to be a most thankful people.
Wherefore, I, Calvin Coolidge,
President of the United States, dc
hereby fix and designate Thursday
The twenty-nlnth day of November
as Thanksgiving Day, and recon-
mend its general Observance
throughout the land. 1t is urged
mat the people gather in their homes
n their usual places of worship
give expression to their gratitude
for the benefits and blessings h a a
gracious providence has bestoweo
upon them and seek the guidance Of
Almighty God that they may deserve
a continuance of his favor.