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A PROCLAMATION:
By the PRESIDENT of the UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA.
When we review the calamities, which afflict so many other nations, the present condition of the United States affords much matter of consolation and satisfaction. Our exemption hitherto from foreign war – an increasing prospect of the continuance of that exemption – the great degree of internal tranquility we have enjoyed – the recent confirmation of that tranquility by the suppression of an insurrection which so wantonly threatened it – the happy course of public affairs in general – the unexampled prosperity of all classes of our citizens; are circumstances which peculiarly mark our situation with indications of the Divine beneficence towards us. In such a state of things it is, in an especial manner, our duty as people, with devout reverence and affectionate gratitude, to acknowledge our many and great obligations to Almighty God and to implore Him to continue and confirm the blessings we experience.
Deeply penetrated with this sentiment, I, George Washington, President of the United States, do recommend to all religious societies and denominations, and to all persons whomsoever, within the United States, to set apart and observe Thursday, the nineteenth day of February next, as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer: and on that day to meet together and render their sincere and hearty thanks to the great Ruler of nations for the manifold and signal mercies which distinguish our lot as a nation, particularly for the possession of constitutions of government which unite and, by their union, establish liberty with order; for the preservation of peace, foreign and domestic; and for the seasonable control, which has been given to a spirit of disorder, in the suppression of the late insurrection; and generally for the prosperous course of our affairs, public and private; and, at the same time, humbly and fervently to beseech the kind Author of these blessings graciously to prolong them to us – to imprint on our hearts a deep and solemn sense of our obligations to Him for them – to teach us rightly to estimate their immense value – to preserve us from the arrogance of prosperity and from hazarding the advantages we enjoy by delusive pursuits – to dispose us to merit the continuance of His favors by not abusing them, by our gratitude for them, and by a correspondent conduct as citizens and as men – to render this country, more and more, a propitious asylum for the unfortunate of other countries – to extend among us true and useful knowledge – to diffuse and establish habits of sobriety, order, morality, and piety – and, finally, to impart all blessings we possess or ask for ourselves, to the whole family of mankind.
In testimony whereof, I have caused the seal of the United States of America, to be affixed to these presents, and signed the same with my hand. Done, at the city of Philadelphia, the first day of January, 1795, and of the independence of the United States of America, the nineteenth.
Go Washington,
President of the United States |
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A PROCLAMATION:
By SATAN for the UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA.
When we review the calamities, which afflict our nation, the present condition of the United States affords much matter of consternation and dissatisfaction. Our embroilment in foreign war – an increasing prospect of the continuance of that embroilment – the great degree of internal uproar we experience – the recent confirmation of that uproar by the election of a conservative insurrection which so wantonly caused it – the troubled course of public affairs in general – the unexampled prosperity of the uppermost classes of our citizens; are circumstances which peculiarly mark our situation with indications of the beneficent Government towards us. In such a state of things it is, in an especial manner, our duty as people, with devout reverence and affectionate gratitude, to acknowledge our many and great obligations to the Government and to implore it to continue and confirm the meager blessings we experience.
Deeply enjoying this sentiment, I, Satan, de facto Prince of the United States, do forbid, based on separation of church and state, all religious societies and denominations, and to all persons whomsoever, within the United States, to set apart and observe any day as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer: but instead every day to meet together and render their sincere and hearty thanks to the great Ruling Class of the U.S. Government for the manifold and signal entitlements which distinguish our lot as a nation, particularly for the possession of living constitutions of government which demand separation of all God-thoughts from the public square and, by this division, establish oppression with order; for the appearance of peace, foreign and domestic; and for the temporary control, which has been given to a spirit of disorder, in the suppression of the late insurrection; and generally for the prosperous course of Government affairs, public; and, at the same time, loudly and greedily to beseech the Congressional Author of these blessings graciously to prolong them to us – to imprint on our wallets a deep and solemn sense of our obligations to Them for them – to fool us rightly about their immense cost – to preserve us from the curse of the prosperous and from highlighting the advantages we enjoy by delusive pursuits – to dispose us to merit the continuance of Government favors by not abusing them, by our gratitude for them, and by a correspondent conduct as citizens and as bondsmen – to render this country, more and more, a legal asylum for the dangerous of other countries – to extend among us expedient and convenient knowledge – to diffuse and establish blind toleration of insobriety, agitation, perverse morality, and private piety – and, finally, to impart the cost of all blessings we possess or ask for ourselves, to our children, and our children’s children.
In testimony whereof, I have caused the seal of the United States of America to be nigh unto death and delight to see it die.
Satan
Prince of the Air |