The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-11-18
n HI A N X s GE EVING G..
The Proclamation p
BY THE PRESIDENT.
HNcroN 0ofohor

M WASHINGTON, October g.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA-A PROCLA-
NATION.
The year that is drawing towards a close
has been filled with he blessings of fruitful
fields and healthful 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 Leart
which is habitually insensibe to the ever
watchful providence of Almighty God. In
the middle of civil war of unequalled magni-
tudes and severity, which has sometimes
seemed to invite ard provoke the aggressions
of foreign States, peace has been preserved
with all Nations, order has been maintained,
the law has been respected and obeyed and
harmony has prevailed everywhere except in
the theatre Of military conflict, while that
theatre has been greatly contracted. The ad-
vancing armies and nayies of the Union, and
the needful diversions of wealth and strength
from the fields of peaceful industry to the
national defence, have not arrested the plow,
the shuttle or the ship. The axe has en-
| larged the borders of our settlements, and the
mines, as well of iron and coal as the precious
metals, have yielded even more abundantly
than heretofore. Population has steadily in
creased, notwithstanding the waste that has
been made in the camp, the siege and the
battle field; and the country rejoicing in the
consciousness of augmented strength and vig-
oris permitted to expect a continuance of
years with large increase of freedom.
| No human counsel hath devised nsr NOR
tai hand worked out these great things. They
have been the gracious gifts of the most High
God, who while dealing with us in anger for
our sins, hath nevertheless remembered us in
mercy. 1t hath seemed to me fit and proper
that they should be solemnly, reverently and
gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart
and one voice, by the whole American peo-
pie and I do therefore invite my fellow citi-
zens in every part of the United States, and
also those who are at sea and those who are
sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and
observe the last Thursday of November next
as day of Thanksgiving and Prayer to our
benefcent Father who dwelleth in the Heav-
| ems and recomfnend to them that while
| offering up the aspirations justly due to Him
| for such singular deliverances and blessings
! they do also with humble renitence for our
National perversenass and disobedience COM
/ mend to nis tender care all those who have
become widows. orphans, or sufferers in the
lamentable civil strifein which we are unavoid-
ably engaged, and fervently implore the inter-
position of the Almighty hand to heal the
wounds Of the Nation and to restore. as soon
as may be consistent with the Divine purpo-
ses. to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony,
tranquility and union.
In testimony whereof have hereunto set
my hand and caused the Seal of the United
States to be affixed. Done at the City of
Washington this the third day of October in
4 the year Of our Lerd eighteen hundred and
sixty and of the Indepenee of the
United States the eighty-eighth. s.e
i fSignedl IS A.eLINC0LN. s
WIN. 81. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
BIZ THE GOVERNOR.
E In cheerful compliance with the request OF
4 the General Assembly of the State of Ohio,
manifested bys Resolution of the 18th oi
April, a. D., 1868, and in harmony with the
Proclamation of the President of the United
States, /, DAVID Ton. Governor of the State
of Ohio, do hereby appoint the last Thursday
a (26th) OF. NoUensber as " day of Thanksgiving
s and Praise to our Heavenly Father for his
continued mercies and manifold blessings.
Let us devoutly thank Him for the abund-
Z ance afforded for our comfort and happiness
s for the good and loyal spirit manifested by
the great body of our people; for the self
sacrificing heroisIn of our brothers and friends
N arms lot tue QeIertllueQ 6HOEl ana sWeit-
founded hope that our Government shall still
be preserved in its unity and benifcence fol
the unwayering determination that the enc.
mics of our dear country, both at home and
abroad, shall be discomfted and for the Joy.
Gus hope and prospect that our desolating civ
s illwar will soon give way to pepce, prosperity
and happiness throughout the land, to bless
al the inhabitants thereof.
Amid our thanksgiving and praise, amidst
our efforts and hopes, let us not forget thai
Z the great struggle IN which we are engaged
has filed our land with widows and orphans
$ out Of our abundance let rs comfort them fol
their great sacrifices let us all diligently
, learn. and strive to perform, our every duty
and thus atone for our manifold sins, humbly
trusting TO Him who wields the destinies ot
nations and peoples, that He win youchsafe te
us all the blessings Of life and good govern.
nlent
, In testimony whereof have hereunto sci
nay hand and caused the Great Seal Of
8 IsEALl the State of Ohio to be affixed, al
Columbus, the Oath day of October
- D., 1858 Z
DAVID TOD, Governor.