PROCLAMATIONS ON THANKSGIVING SEPTEMBER 20, 1855 From Original MS. in the Office of the Sec. of State Des Moines It is a venerated custom in the older States of this Union, to dedicate one day towards the close of each year, to Public Thanksgiving and praise to God, for his continued blessings and protection. Such public recognitions of the government of a Divine Ruler, and such manifestations of gratitude for benefits received at His hand, are worthy of imitation everywhere, and eminently become the people of Iowa. The past year has been crowded with blessings to our State. We have been exempt from pestilence. Abundant harvests have rewarded the toil of the husbandman. We have been preserved from intestine commotions and bloodshed. No distracting evils have occurred to impede our prosperity. Our population, wealth, and productive resources of every character have increased in a wonderful degree. The facilities for educating the youth of the State have been greatly multiplied. Steps have been taken to establish charitable institutions corresponding to the progress and spirit of the age, and the demands of humanity. There are evidences all around, that the State has made unexampled progress in everything that tends to promote her best physical and moral interests. As citizens, we have enjoyed liberty without licentiousness. Civil and religious freedom, without distinction of party, sect or nationality, have been enjoyed by all. Our nation has been prosperous. Peace has been preserved. While other nations have been plunged into bloody and desolating wars, we have been preserved from that great calamity. For these, and for numberless other blessings, it has been deemed proper that a day should be set apart by the Executive of the State for praise and thanksgiving. Therefore, I, James W. Grimes, Governor of the State of Iowa, do designate Thursday the 22d day of November next, as a day of public thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, for the innumerable blessings, which as a people and individuals, we have enjoyed. I recommend that the people of the State assemble on that day in their respective houses of public worship, and devoutly raise their hearts and voices in gratitude to our Heavenly Father for his past Protection; and beseech its continuance. Let us give thanks that He reigns; that we are the product of His hand and not of a blind, unreasoning chance. Let our hearts swell with gratitude for the blessings of CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY; and pray for their extension to every human being. Let us be thankful that War, with its devastation, its slaughter and its agonies does not desolate our land; and pray that Peace may be established among all mankind. all mankind. Let us be thankful for the GOVERNMENT we have inherited from our fathers; and pray that it may ever be preserved worthy of the confidence and support of their descendants. Let us be thankful for COMFORT and PLENTY, for PEACE and ORDER, for the means of EDUCATION, for HEALTH and for all other national and personal blessings. Let us ask to be preserved "alike from POVERTY and RICHES," from BIGOTRY and INTOLERANCE, from PRIDE and HATRED, from ANARCHY and CIVIL STRIFE, from IMMORALITY and CRIME of every grade. But above all, let us be thankful for the CHRISTIAN RELIGION, which has raised man from a State of barbarism-given him the means of intelligent happiness in this life and the hope of glory in that which is to come. (L. S.) In TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed, the Great Seal of the State of Iowa. Done at Iowa City, this 20th day of September, in the year of our Lord, 1855, of the Independence of the United States the eightieth, and of the State of Iowa the ninth. BY THE GOVERNOR; JAMES W. GRIMES. GEO. W. MCCLEARY, Secretary of State. CONVENING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JUNE 3, 1856 From MS. Copy of Executive Register, Vol. I, p. 312-in the Office of the Sec. of State, Des Moines Whereas, it is believed that subjects of vital importance to the State of Iowa, demand immediate legislative action; Therefore I, James W. Grimes, Governor of said State, by virtue of the authority in me vested, do hereby convene the General Assembly of said State, in special session to be begun and held at Iowa City on Wednesday the second day of July next, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon of said day. (L. S.) In TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be hereto affixed the great seal of the State of Iowa. Done at Iowa City, this 3d day of June, From Original MS. in the Office of the Sec. of State, Des Moines Whereas "at the general election in the State of Iowa held on the first Monday of August last there was a poll opened in each township & election precinct, for the purpose of taking a vote of the people, for or against a convention to revise or amend the present Constitution of this State," of which election due returns have been made and the votes canvassed. Now therefore, I James W. Grimes Governor of said State do declare and make known that there were polled for a convention Thirty two thousand seven hundred & ninety votes and against a convention Fourteen thousand one hundred and sixty-two, being a majority in favor of a convention of Eighteen thousand six hundred and twenty-eight votes. And I do furthermore declare that an election of delegates to said convention will be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November next, the election to be conducted and the returns made according to the provisions of the Code regulating general elections and an act entitled "an act providing for the revision or amendment of the constitution of this State," Approved January 24th, 1855. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great seal of State to be hereunto affixed. Done at Iowa City this tenth day of September A. D. From MS. Copy of Executive Register Vol. I, p. 334-in the Office of the Sec. of State, Des Moines. Whereas two unknown persons were murdered in the County of Poweshiek in this State on or about the 26th day of September last, which acts are supposed to have been perpetrated by two men also unknown. |