The Colorado statesman., 1923-11-10
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 tc
test and refine men and nations.
The 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 a
voluntary return of thanks by the COM
munlty for the frultfulness or 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.
"'rhe 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 Il 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 Il 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
and humane feeling. 1t was wrought in
the substance of good works. 1t Gre
ated new evidences of our information
al friendship which is Il guarantee of
world peace. 1t replenished the char
table impulse of the country.
"By experiences such as these, men
and nations are tested and refined. We
have been blessed with much of mater
fail ri 4, 10
To appreciate it if Me remember the
privutiOns others have suffered, and
we shall he more worthy of ii If we use
it for their relief.
I'VE will do well then 10 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 chastenngs which have been
imposed upon us. %.
ITO center our thought in this 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 gener-
Gus prepOnderunce of the good. Even
in the least propitious times a 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 n more hopeful and conf
dent attitude toward the future.
Wherefore, I, Calvin Coolidge
President of the United States, dc
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 gath
er in their homes and their usual
places of worship, give expression tc
their gratitude for the benefits ant
blessings that n 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 mt the city of Washington
this fifth day of November in the veal
of our Lord one thousand nine hun
dred and twenty-three, and of the in
dependence of the United States tn,
one hundred and forty-eighth.
CALVIN COOLIDGE"