Evening star., 1937-11-21
PROCLAMATIONS

tice of thanksgiving on any sig
nal event. not only as laudable one in
itself, but as warranted by a number
OF precedents in Holy Writ: for in
stance, the solemn thanksgivings and
rejoicings which took place in the
time Of Solomon after the building of
the Temple. This example. thought
Mr.. Sherman. was worthy of Christian
imitation on the present occasion,
and he would agree with the gentle
man who moved the resolution.
Whereupon Mr.. Boudinot quoted
precedents and hoped the motion
would meet ready acquiescence.
Pursuant to this resolution President
Washington issued the f1rst presi-
Dental proclamation for observance
OF Thanksgiving. 1t was also the first
under the Constitution, and it was
dated October 3, 1888.
Whereas" it began at is the DUTY
OF all nations to acknowledge the
providence Of Almighty God. to obev
His will. to be grateful for His bene-
f1ts and humbly to implore His pro-
lection and favor, and
Whereas both Houses of Congress
have. by their Joint committee, re-
quested me to recommend to the
people of the United States a day of
public Thanksgiving and prayer, to he
observed by acknowledging with CRATE
iul hearts the many and signal favors
OF Almighty God, especially by afford
ing them an opportunity peaceably to
estaolsh a form Of government for
their safety and happiness
Now, therefore, I do recommend
and assign Thursday, the 26th day of
november next, to be devoted BY the
people Of these States to the service of
that great and glorious Being who is
the benefcent author Of all the good
That was. that is, or that will be; that
we may then all unite in rendering
unto Him our sincere and humble
tnanks for His kind care and protec-
ton OF the people of this country
previous to their becoming a Nation:
1or the signal and manifold mercies
and the favorable interpretations of
His providence in the course and
conclusion of the late war; for the
great degree Of tranquility, union and
plenty which we have since enioyed:
for the peaceable and rational manner
IN which We have been enabled to
estaoilsh constitutions of government
for our safety and happiness, and par
ticularly the national one now lately
instituted: for the civil and religious
liberty with which We are blessed
and the means we have of acquiring
and diffusing useful knowledge, and, In
general, for all the great and various
1avors which He has been pleased to
confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in
most humbly offering our prayers and
Suppllcations to the great Lord aud
Ruler OF Nations, and beseech Him 10
pardon our national and other trans
gressions; to enable us all, whether
IN public or private stations, to per-
form our several and relative duties
properly and punctually; to render our
National Government a blessing to all
the people by constantly being
Government of wise, just and consti-
tutional laws, discreetly and faith
fully executed and obeyed; to protect
and guide all sovereigns and nations
especially such as have shown kind
ness to u.s., and to bless them with
good governments, peace and concord:
to promote the knowledge and practice
OF true religion and virtue, ana tie
increase of science among them and
US, and, generally, to grant unto all
mankind such degree of temporal
prosperity as He alone knows to be
best.
"Given under my hand, at the CITY
Of New York, the Sd day Of October,
A. D., 1889. Go. Washington"
IN 1917 New York adopted a day Of
= national thanksgiving as an annual
custom, and it spread through many
Of the States by the middle of the 10Th
century. In 1864 President Lincoln
appointed a day of THANKSGIVING, and
since then the Presidents of the
United States have issued a Thanks
giving proclamation, generally desig-
mating the last Thursday in Novem-
Der. The memory of its origin as a
State appointment survives in the
proclamations Of the Governors of the
States, which follow that Of the Presi- :,
dent every year.
A pavement of black and brown
p11hkAr vyhinh mas Iata .s =. >~~>-l