The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-27
LOCAL MATTERS
Thanks0,v,n1.


'Since il has become a prevalent custom
throughout the entire States to set apart one day
| OF the year for the especial purpose of giving
thanks unto God for his kindness towards us as a
nation, and for the prosperity with which we have
| ben permitted TO continue free people, IL may
not be anss to give the origin of the custom,
ing as ii does from the illustrious Father Of his
| Country"
There was, however, a proclamation or recon-
mendation for day of general thanksgiving on
the second Thursday of December 'in these Uni
ted States" and which was recommended by Con
gress on the twentieth of October, 1879. in the
| fourth year of cur independence, and during
the height of the Revolutionary struggle. The
patriots Of that early day, notwithstanding
| the American army had suffered disasters,
conceived that they had cause for thanksgiving
and praise, not only for occasional important vic
tories, but in consequence of other blessings which
the representatives of free people cnuinerste in
the proclamation which subjoin, showing
their dependence Divine Providence in the
midst of the dangers which surrounded them, and
n reliance the Supreme Ruler of the Universe
for the establishment of our liberties basis Of
religion and virtue" and which should forever
endure.
Tho committee appointed to preface the recon-.
mendation of general thanksgiving. presented the
following draught, which was agreed TO, viz
| WHEREAS it becomes US humbly to approach the
| throne of Almighty God with gratitude and praise
| for the wonders which His goodness has wrought
in conducting our ioreiathers to this western world;
for Ills protection to them and to their posteriiy
| amidst difficulties and dangers; for raising US,
| their children, from deep distress to be numbered
among the nations of the earth; and for qrming
the hands Of just and mighty princes in our deliv-
erance and especially for that he hath been pleased
to grant us the enjoyment OF health, and so TO or
der the revolving seasons, that the earth hath pro-
duced her increase in abundance, blessing the la
1 of DlentV
through the land; that He hath prospered our arms
and those of our ally; been shield to troops in
the hour OF danger pointed their swords to ylcto-
ry, and led them in triumph over the bulwarks of
the foe; that lie hath gone with those who went out
into the wilderness against the savage trbes; that
He hath stayed the band OF the spoiler and turned
back his nIediteted destruction; that He hath pros
pered our commerce, and given success TO those
who fought the enemy on the face of the deep; and
above ALL that He hath dffused the glorious light
of the Gospel, whereby, through tho merits of our
| gracious Redeemer, may become the heirs of
! His eternal glory. Therefore
,Resolred. That it be recommended to the several
States to appoint Thursday, the 9th of December
| next, to be day OF public and solemn thanksgiv-
ing TO Almighty God for His mercies, and of pray
er for the continuance of His favor and protection
| TO these United States; TO beseech Him that He
| would be graciously pleased TO influence pub
lie councils and bless them with wisdom from
| High, with unanimity, hrmncss, and succcss that
| He would go forth with our hosts and
armies with victory; that He would grant to His
1
pour out His holy spirit all ministers of the Cos
| pei; that He would bless and prosper the means Of
education, and spread the light of Christian know
4 ledge through the remotest of the earth;
| that He would emile upon the labors OF His peo-
pie, and cause the earth to bring forth her fruits in
abundance, that we may with gratitude and glad
ness enjoy them; that He would take into His holy
protection our lllustrlous ally, give him victory
over his enemies, and render him sgnally great,
as the father OF his people, and the protector of the
| rights OF mankind; that He would graciously be
Irlo sod 40 ..,,,.. 10
dispense the blessings of peace to contcnding
tons; that He would in mercy look down upon as,
pardon our sins, and receive into His favor and,
| finally, that lie would establish the independence
of these United States upon the basis of religion
and virtue, and support and protect them in the
enjoyment of peace, liberty, and safety.
Done In Congress, the goth day of October, one
thousand seven hundred and seventy nine,
| and in the fourth year of the independence Of
| the United States of America.
SAMUEL HUNTINGTON,
| President.
Attest: CHARLES THOMSON,
| Secretary.
The following is the proclamation of General
Washington. We agree with the Sentinel that
'the simplicity and yet the comprehensive style of
the composition cannot fail of being admired by
every true American" The recommendation of
the Congress was prepared in tho fourth year of
independence that of Washington in the nine
teenth. Both are interesting a part of our
past history, and the lessons which they incucate
deserve to be appreciated and practsed in all com
ing time
PROCLAMATION FOR DAY OF THANKSGIVING.
BY the President Of The United States Of 1mericd.
| PRocLAMATIoN.
| When we review the calamitics which nfilict 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 contin
| Of Int tnnfaf nf into
nal tranquility have enjoyed, the recent copfr-
nation of that tranquility by the suppression of
| an insurrection which SO wantony threatened it,
| the happy course of public affairs in general,
the unexamped prosperity of all classes of our citi
\ zens, are circumstances which peculiarly mark our
situation with indications of the Divine beneticence
towards US. In such state of things, it lie, in
| pccal manner our duty as a people, with devout
! reverence and affcctonate gratitude, to acknow-
| ledge our many and great obligations to Almighty
| God, and to implore Him to continue and confirm
| the blessings experience.
Deeply penetrated with this sentiment, ! GEoReE
WAsHINGToN President of the United States do
! recommend to all religious societies and denom-
nations, and to all persons whomsoever within the
United States, to set apart and observe Thursday,
| the nineteenth day OF February next, as 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 nation particularly for the possession
OF constitutions OF government which unite, and,
|
the preservation of our peace for eign and domes.
tic for the seasonablo control which has been
given to spirit of disorder in the suppression Of
the late insurrection; and generally, for the pros
porous of affairs, public and private;
and at the same time humbly and ferventy to be-
seech the kind author of these blessings gracious.
ly 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 tho
arrogance of prosperity, and from hazarding
the advantages we enjoy by delusve pursuits !;
to dispose to merit the continuance fhis favors
by not abusing them, by gratitude for them,
and y correspondent conduct as citizens and as
men, to rende9 this country more and more a safe
and propitious asylum for the unfortunate Of other
countries; to extend among true and useful
knowledge; to diffuse and establish habits of so
briefly, order, morality, and piety; and finally, to
impart all the blessings possess, ask, for
| SEW, g, TO the whole family of mankind
In testimony whereof, | have caused the
| r, seal Of the United States of America to be
u - affixed to these presents, and signed the
same with my hand.
~ 4 o. u 49,