The Holly chieftain., 1923-11-15
NATION FAVORED
SAYS PRESIDENT
DEATH OF HARDING is HELD
TEST TO REFINE MEN BY
COOLIDGE
PROCLAMATION ISSUED
FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY Or
DER DWELLs ON THE TRAGIC
EVENTS OF PAST YEAR

Washington. - President CoOlidge's
Thanksgiving day proclamation calls
to mind that the year has brought to
the American people two tragic exper-
iences-the death of President Hard
ing and the japanese earthquake but
says that such experiences serve to
test and refine men and nations.
Tho proclamation follows In part:
~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-
ginnings this acknowledgment was
voluntary return Of thanks by the com
munity for the fruitfuness of the har-
vest. 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, in church, In family and in
public gatherings the whole nation has
for generations paid the tribute due
from grateful hearts for blessings be-
slowed
"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 wherev-
er there Is a realization of the worth
Of high ideals, noble purpose and un-
selfish service carried even to the end
of supreme sacrifice. His loss recalled
the nation to less captiOus and more
charitable attitude. 1t sobered the
whole though of the country. A little
later came the unparalleled disaster
to the friendly people of Japan. This
called forth from the people of the
United States demonstration of deep
uAu ~ was "louSHl III
the substance of good works. 1t Gre
ated new evidences Of our internation-
al friendship which Is guarantee of
world peace. 1t replenished the char
liable impulse of the country.
"By experiences such as these, men
and nations are tested and refined. We
have been blessed with much of mater
ial prosperity. We shall be better able
to appreciate 1t II we remember the
privations others have suffered, and
we shall be more worthy of 1t II we use
It for their relief.
eve will do well then TO render
thanks for the good that has come to
us. and show by our actions that we
have become stronger, wiser and truer
by the chustenings which have been
ITO center our thought in this way
apon the favor which we have been
Ihown has been altogether wise and
desirable. 1t has given opportunity
Justly to balance the good and the evil
which we have experienced-in that
VIC llhNV hShCi " iihh iSdSohc
for being grateful to God FOR a gener-
GUS preponderance of the good. Even
in the least propitious times u broad
contemplation of our whole position
has never failed to disclose overwhelm-
Ing reasons for thankfulness. Thus
viewing our situation we have found
warrant for more hopeful and conf
dent attitude toward the future.
"Wherefore, |. Calvin Coolidge,
President of the United States, do
hereby fix and designate Thursday,
the twenty-ninth day of November, us
Thanksgiving dayf and recommend its
general observance throughout the
land. 1t Is urged that the people gath
er in their homes and their usual
places of worship, give expression to
their gratitude for the benefits and
blessings that gracious Providence
has bestowed upon them, and seek the
guidance of Almighty God that they
may deserve continuance Of His
favor.
'In witness whereof, / have hereun-
to set my hand and caused to be af-
fixed the great seal of the United
States.
Done ut the city of Washington
this fifth day of November. In the year
OF our Lord one thousand nine hun
dred and twenty-three, and of the in
dependence of the United States the
one hundred and forty-eighth.
CALVIN COOLIDGE"