Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1880 — A Proclamation of Thanksgiving. [ARTICLE]

A Proclamation of Thanksgiving.

The State ov Indiana. By His Excellency, James D. Williams, Governor. To the People of Indiana: The sixty-fourth year of our life is nearing its close. From a population of 64,000 we have grown to 2,000,000. The number of our electors alone has reached nearly half a million. Gur material increase has kept even pace. The hidden wealth of our soil has been rapidly discovered and developed. One billion dollars is but an approximate valuation of our estate.— In education and the care of our unfortunate classes we have taken an advanced position. Our republican form of government is yet unshaken, and effects a change in our public servants instantly upon declaration of the popular will. Our gratitude to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our own form of government should find expression in public thanksgiving and praise. It is proper that a day at the close of the harvest season be set apart for such service, and to celebrate the annivessarv of the Constitution of our State. A few of us yet remain who knew it in its infancy. Other generations, even unto the third and fourth have grown up under its protection, and have profited by the labors and privations of those who wisely built and generously provided for them. - The strangers who have come within our borders and have been welcomed may rejoice with us in our rich heritage. The President has appointed Thursday, November 25, as a day of National thanksgiving and praise. I earnestly recommend a g neral observance of the day appointed. As one of the foremost of the grpat family of States which constitute our Federal Union we bave enjoyed a large share of the blessings secured to us by the General Government, and of our National prosperity and greatness. the seal of the State and Year of Our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty.

JAMESD. WILLIAMS.

By the Governor: John G. Shanklin, Secretary of State.