Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-08
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

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-
ginning 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 custom has al
ways survived. 1t has made Thanks
giving day not only one of the Oldest
but one of the most Characteristic OBJ
servances 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.
To centre our thought in this way
upon the favor which we have been
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 good. Even in
the least propitious times. a broad con-
temptation of our whole position has
| never failed to disclose overwhelming
reasons for thankfulness. Thus view
ing our situation, we have found war
attitude toward the future.
In this current year, we now ap-
| proach the time which has been accept
ed by custom as most fitting for the
turn 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 it 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 Hard
| ing. which has been mourned wherever
there is realization of the worth of
high ideals. noble purpose and unset
| fish service carried even to the end of
supreme sacrifice. His loss recalled
| the nation to a less captious and more
whole thought of the country. A lit
| tie later came the unparalleled disaster
| to the friendly people of Japan. This
called forth from the people of the
| United States demonstration Of deep
and humane feeling. 1t was wrought
| created new evidences of our interna-
| tional friendship which is a guaranty
of world peace. 1t replenished the
charitable impulse Of the country.
BY experiences such as these. men
and nations are tested and refined. We
have been blessed with much of ma
| terial prosperity. We shall be better
| able to appreciate it II we remember
] Tie DIlNdtloHS OluCTS nave SUFFERED,
and we shall ne 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
! chasteningS which have been imposed
| upon us. We will thus prepare our
| selves for the part we must have in
a world which forever needs the full
measure of service. We have been a
most favored people. We ought to be
a most generous people. We have been
| a most blessed people. We ought to
be most thankful people.
! Wherefore. l. Calvin Coolidge. Pres
| ident of the United States. do hereby
fix and designate Thursday. the
| Twenty ninth Day of November as
| Thanksgiving day and recommend its
| general observance throughout the
| land. 1t is urged that the people
! gather in their homes and their usua
| places of worship, give expression to
| their gratitude for the benefits and
| blessings that a gracious Providence
| has bestowed upon them and seek the
| guidance of Almighty God that they
| may deserve continuance of His
| favor.
! In witness whereof. 7 have hereun-
| to set my hand and, caused to be af-
| fixed the great seal of the United
| States.
! Done at the City ot Washington.
| this fifth day of November, in the year
| of our Lord one thousand nine hun
| dred and twenty-throC. and of the in
| dependence of the United states the
| one hundred and forty-cightfS
| CALVIN COOLIDGE.