In furtherance of the custom of this people at the closing of each year
to engage, upon a day set apart for that purpose, in a special festival
of praise to the Giver of All Good, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of
the United States, do hereby designate Thursday, the 29th day of
November next, as a day of national thanksgiving.
The year which is drawing to an end has been replete with evidences of
divine goodness.
The prevalence of health, the fullness of the harvests, the stability
of peace and order, the growth of fraternal feeling, the spread of
intelligence and learning, the continued enjoyment of civil and
religious liberty--all these and countless other blessings are cause
for reverent rejoicing.
I do therefore recommend that on the day above appointed the people rest
from their accustomed labors and, meeting in their several places of
worship, express their devout gratitude to God that He hath dealt so
bountifully with this nation and pray that His grace and favor abide
with it forever.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
the United States to be affixed.
[SEAL.]
Done at the city of Washington, this 26th day of October, A.D. 1883, and
of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and eighth.