Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 November 1898 — PRESIDENT’S PROCLAMATION. [ARTICLE]

PRESIDENT’S PROCLAMATION.

Fixes Thursday, Nov. 24, for Thanksgiving Day. President McKinley has issued the following Thanksgiving proclamation: The approaching November brings tomind the custom of our ancestors, hallowed by time and rooted In our most sacred traditions, of giving thanks to Almighty God for all the blessings he has vouchsafed tous during the last year. Fenv years In our history have afforded! such cause for thanksgiving. We have been blessed by abundant harvests, our trade and commerce have been wonderfully Increased, our public credit has been Improved and strengthened, all sections of our common country have been brought together and knitted into doger bonds of national purpose and unity. y The skies have been for a time darkened by the cloud of war, but as we were compelled to take tip the sword In the cause of humanity we are permitted to rejoice that the conflict has been of brief duration and the losses we have had to mourn, though* grievous and important, have been so few_ considering the great results accomplished,, as to Inspire us with gratitude and praise to the Lord of Hosts. We may laud and magnify his holy name that the cessation, of hostilities came so soon as to spare botht sides the countless sorrows and disastersthat attend protracted war. a I do therefore Invite all my fellow citizens, ns well thofle at home as those who* may be at sea or sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe Thursday, the 24th day of November, as a day of national thanksgiving, to come together In their several places of worship for a service of praise and thanks to Almighty God for all tha blessings of the year, for the mildness of the seasons and the fruitfulness of the soil, for the continued prosperity of the people, for the devotion and 1 valor of our country-, men, for-the glory of our victory and the hope of a righteous peace, and to pray that the divine guidance which has brought us heretofore to safety and honor may be graciously continued in the years to come. WILLI Ail XI iM.v.KY. By the President: , ,*£■ John Hay, Secretary of State.