Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-10-05
A NATIONAL rHANKsGlvlsG.,
BY the President Of the United States Of Ameri
PROEI1 A M ATTAIN 49, -.

BY the President Of tie United States Of America
PROCLAMATION. f#s Is ss.
The year that is drawing toward its close has
been filed with the blessings OF frui, fol fields
and healthfnl skies To these bounti-s, which
are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to
forget the source from which they come, 9TH
ers have been added, which are or SO extraor-
binary a nature that they cannot tail to pene-
trate and soften even the heart which is habit
ually insensible to the ever-watchful provi-
dence Of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war Of unequalled
magnitude and severity, which has sometimes
seemed to foreign States to invite and provoke
their aggres sion, peace has been preserved with
all nations; order has been maintained, thu
.--.---.~ 49, ---r~~,.<s . nd r,,ayaa = = to>.
mony has prevailed elsewhere, except in the
theater of military conflict; while that th-ater
has been greatly contracted by the advancing
armies and nayies OF the Union.
Needful diversions OF wealth and of strength
from the fields of peaceful ind ustry to the ma
tional defence have not arrested the plough,
the shuttle, or the ship. The axe has enlarged
the borders Of our settlements, and the mines
as well of iron and coal as Of the precious met
ais, have Yielded even more abundantly than
heretofore. Population has steadily increased
notwiths landing the waste that has been made
in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield and
the country. rejoicing in the consciousness of
augmented strength and vigor is permitted to
expect continuance of years, with large in
crease of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised, nor hath
any mortal hand worked out, these great
things. They are the gracious gifts of the
Most High God, who, while dealI with us
in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remem-
bered mercy. 1t has seemed to me At ana
hat n CHI hoe
tally, and gratefully acknowledged as with
one heart and voice by the whole American
people.
co therefore ir vite my fellow citizens. in
every part of the United States, and also those
who are at sea, and those who are soiournins
IN foreign lands, to set apart and obser We the
last Thursday of November next as {; day of
Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficen,
Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.
And recommend to them that, while offer
ing up the Inscriptions justly due to Him for
such singular deliverance and blessings, thew
90 also with humble pen'ence for our nation
al peryeIsenessand disohedience, commend 10
His tender care all those who have become
widows. orphans mourners, or sufferers in the
lamentable civil strife in which we are IN
ayoidably engaged, ard fervently implore the
interpretation of the Almighty Hand to heal the
wounds OF the nation and restore it Us soon as
may be consistent with the Divine purposes 10
the full enjoyment Of peace, harmony, tran
Quillity, and union.
In witness whereof, have hsreunto set nv
hand and caused the seal OF the United States
TO be affixed
Done at the city OF Washington, this
third day of October, N the year OF
our Lord one thousand eight hundred
Il. 81 and sixty three, and Of tho independ-
ence Of the United States the eighty
eighth ABRAHAK LINCOLN.
BY the President:
WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary OF State.