Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-10-09
ANAr1oNAL THANKSGIVING.
ny THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED sTATEs,
A PROCLAMATION

by THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED Stains.
A PROCLAMATION
The year that is drawing forward its close
has been filed with the blessings Of fruitful
fields and healt u skies. To these boun-
ties which are so constantly enjoyed that we
are prone to forget the source from which
they come Others have been added, which
are of so extraordinary nature that they
cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the
heart which is habitually insensible to the
ever watchful Providence Of Almighty God.
In the midst Of civil war Of unequaled mag
ntude and severity, which has sometimes
seemed to invite and provoke the aggression
Of foreign states, peace has been preserved
with all nations, order has been maintained,
the laws have been respected and obeyed,
and harmony has prevailed everywhere, ex-
cept in the theatre Of military conflict, while
that theatre has been greatly contracted by
the advancing armies and navies OF the Union
The needul diversion Of wealth and strength
from the fields Of peaceful industry to the
National defense have not arrested the pillow,
the shuttle or the ship. The ak has enlarged
the borders Of our settlements, ana the mines,
as well Of iron and coal as Of the precious
metals. have yielded even more sbundantly
than heretofore.
Population has steadi increased, notwiih-
standing the waste that has been made by the
camp. the siege and the battle field, and the
country, rejoicing in the consciousness OF
augmented strength and yigor. is permitted
to expect continuance Of years with large IN
crease Of freedom.
No human council hath devised, nor hath
any mortal hand worked out these great
things They are the gracious gifts OF the
most high God, who, while dealing with us
in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless re-
membered mercy. 1t has seemed to me ht
and proper that they should be solemnly, rev
efen,ially and gratefully acknowledged, as
with one heart and voice, by the whole Amer
/ lean people.
do therefore invite my fellow citizens IL
every part of the United States, and also thos,
who are at sea and those who are ,ojourning
in foreign lands, to set apart the LAST Thurs
DAY or NOVEMBER next, as day ofthanks-
giving and prayer to our benehcient Father
who dwelleth IN the Heavens. and | recon-
mend too that while offering up the ascriP
tions Justly due to Him for such singular de-
hverances and blessings, they do also, with
humble pentence for our national perversenes'
and disobedence commend TO His tender care
all those who have become widows, orphans
mourners or sufferers in the lameutabe ciyi
strife in which we are unavoidady engaged
and feryently implore the interPosition Of the
/ Almighty hand to heal the wounds Of the ma
ton, and to restore it, as soon as may be con
sistent with Divine purposes, to the iul en-
| joymeni Of peace, harmony, tranquility anc
union.
In testimony whereof ] have hereuato set m!
hand aud caused the seal Of the Unitee
States to be affixed. Done At the city %
Washington, Tins third day Of October, is
the year Of our Lord One Thousand Eish
Hundred and Sixty-Three, and OF the In
dependence Of the United States the Gigh
ty-Elghth.
(Sgned) ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
BY the President
w. II. S,ward, Secretary Of State.