The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1863-10-15
President LincOln's Proclamation.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA.
A PROCLAMATION.


The year that is drawing towards its
close has been filled with the blessings
Of fruitful fields and healthful skies to
those bounties 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
can not fail to penetrate and soften the
heart which is habitually insensible to
the over-watchful providence of Al
mighty God. In the midst of n civil
war Of uncqualed magnitude and Sc
verify, which has sometimesseemed
to invite and provoke the aggressionz OF
foreign States, peace has been preserved
with all nations, order has been main
tanned, the laws have been respected
and obeyed, and harmony has pre-
vailed every whore, except in the the
ator Of military conflict. While that
theater has been greatly contracted
| by the advancing armies and navies
Of the Union, the ncedful diversions Of
wealth and strength from the fields OF
peaceful industry to the National de-
fense, have not arrested the plow, the
shuttle nor the ship. The ak has en-
largcd the borders of our settlements
and the mines, as well ofiron and coal
as the precious metals, have yielded
even more abundantIy than hereto
fore. Population has steadily increased
notwithstanding the waste that has
been made in the camp, the siege and
in the battlefield and the country
rejoicing in the consciousness of aug
mented strength and .vigor, is permit,
ted to expect continuance Of years
with u large increase of freedom. No
human counsel have 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 remembered mercy
1t hath seemed to me fit and proper
that they should be esolemnly, devoutly
and gratefully acknowledged as witt,
one heart and voice, by the whole
American people, do, therefore, in.
vito my fellow-citizens in every part
of the United States, and also those
who are at sea and those who are so.
iourning in foreign land. to set apart
and observe the last Thursday of No
RENTER nelt rs Il day of Thanksgiving
and prayer to our benefcent Father
who dwelleth in the heavens; and
recommend to them that while offer
iugup the Inscriptions justly due to Hin
for such singular delivcrances anc
blessings, they do also, with humbl,
pcnitancc for our national pervcrscnes
and disobedience, commend to his ten
der care all those who have bc2om,
widows, orphans or sufferers in the Ia
mentablo civil strife in which we ar
unavoidab!y engaged and fervently i'm
ploro the interposition Of the Almight,
hand to heal the wounds Of the natiol
and to restore it, as soon as may b
consistent with the Divine purposes
to the full enjoyment Of peace, hm
mony, tranquility and union.
In testimony whereof, | have hereunt
set my hand, and caused the seal G
the United States to be affixed. Don
at City of Washington, this the 8
day of October, in the year of on
Lord 1863, and Of the independents
ofthe United States the eighty eight
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
BY the Presidents;
WIN. II. SEWARD, Sccy, ofState