time out of mind at this turn of the seasons
when the hardy oak leaves rustle in the wind
and the frost gives a tang to the air
and the dusk falls early
and the friendly evenings lengthen under the heel of Orion,
it has seemed good to our people to join together
in praising the Creator and Preserver,
who has brought us by a way that we did not know
to the end of another year.
...a day of public thanksgiving...
for the blessings that have been our common lot
and have placed our beloved State with the favored regions of earth --
for all the creature comforts:
the yield of the soil that has fed us
and the richer yield from labor of every kind
that has sustained our lives --
and for all those things, as dear as breath to the body,
that quicken man's faith in his manhood,
that nourish and strengthen his spirit to do the great work still before him:
for the brotherly word and act;
for honor held above price;
for steadfast courage and zeal in the long, long search after truth;
for liberty and for justice freely granted by each to his fellow and so as freely enjoyed;
and for the crowning glory and mercy of peace upon our land; --
that we may humbly take heart of these blessings
as we gather once again with solemn and festive rites to keep our Harvest Home
1936 Thanksgiving proclamation of Connecticut Governor Wilbur L. Cross
xxx madison
