A Proclamation.

“The approaching November brings to mind 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 to us during the past year.

“Few years in our history have afforded such cause for thanksgiving as this.  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 closer bonds of national purpose and unity.

“The skies have been for a time darkened by the cloud of war; but as we were compelled to take up 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 both sides the countless sorrows and disasters that attend protracted war.

“I do, therefore, invite all my fellow citizens, as well those at home as those who may be at sea or sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe Thursday, the twenty-fourth 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 the blessings of the year, for the mildness of seasons and the fruitfulness of the soil, for the continued prosperity of the people, for the devotion and valor of our countrymen, 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.

“In witness whereof, etc.

(Signed)

“William M’Kinley.

“By the President: 

“John Hay, Secretary of State.”

CHAPTER XVII

Early History of the Philippines.

The Abolishment of the 31st of December, 1844, in Manila—­The Mystery of the Meridian 180 Degrees West—­What Is East and West?—­Gaining and Losing Days—­The Tribes of Native Filipinos—­They Had an Alphabet and Songs of Their Own—­The Massacre of Magellan—­His Fate Like That of Captain Cook—­Stories of Long Ago Wars—­An Account by a Devoted Spanish Writer of the Beneficent Rule of Spain in the Philippines—­Aguinaldo a Man Not of a Nation, But of a Tribe—­Typhoons and Earthquakes—­The Degeneracy of the Government of the Philippines After It Was Taken from Mexico—­“New Spain”—­The Perquisites of Captain-Generals—­The Splendor of Manila a Century Ago.