1878 Thanksgiving Proclamation is one of the R B
Hayes Thanksgiving Proclamations made by Rutherford B Hayes.
1878 Thanksgiving Proclamation
A PROCLAMATION by the President of the United States of America:
The recurrence of that season at which it is the habit of our people to
make devout and public confession of their constant dependence upon the
divine favor for all the good gifts of life and happiness and of public
peace and prosperity exhibits in the record of the year abundant reasons
for our gratitude and thanksgiving.
Exuberant harvests, productive mines, ample crops of the staples of
trade and manufactures, have enriched the country.
The resources thus furnished to our reviving industry and expanding
commerce are hastening the day when discords and distresses through the
length and breadth of the land will, under the continued favor of
Providence, have given way to confidence and energy and assured
prosperity.
Peace with all nations has been maintained unbroken, domestic
tranquility has prevailed, and the institutions of liberty and justice
which the wisdom and virtue of our fathers established remain the glory
and defense of their children.
The general prevalence of the blessings of health through our wide land
has made more conspicuous the sufferings and sorrows which the dark
shadow of pestilence have cast upon a portion of our people. This heavy
affliction even the Divine Ruler has tempered to the suffering
communities in the universal sympathy and succor which have flowed to
their relief, and the whole nation may rejoice in the unity of spirit in
our people by which they cheerfully share one another's burdens.
Now, therefore, I, Rutherford B. Hayes, President of the United States,
do appoint Thursday, the 28th day of November next, as a day of national
thanksgiving and prayer; and I earnestly recommend that, withdrawing
themselves from secular cares and labors, the people of the United
States do meet together on that day in their respective places of
worship, there to give thanks and praise to Almighty God for His mercies
and to devoutly beseech their continuance.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 30th day of October, A.D. 1878,
and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred
and third.
R.B. HAYES
