St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-10-15
PROCLAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT.
Thursday, Nov. 46th to be Set Apart ~
a Day of National Tha nksgivin8.
By the President Of the United States Of Ameri.
ca.
A PR0CLhMATlON.

The year that is drawing towards its
close has been filed with the blessings of
fruitful fields and healthful skies. To
these bounties, which are SO constantly
enjoyed that we are prone to forget the
sources from which they come, others have
been added, which are of so extraordinary
nature that they cannot fail to pcnetra'e
and soften even the heart which is habit
ually insensible to the ever watchful provi
dence Of Almighty God.
In the midst of civil war of unequaled
magnitude and severity, which has some.
times seemed to invite and provoke the
aggres,ions Of foreign States, peace has
been preserved with all nations, order has
been maintained the laws have been re.
spected and obeycd, and harmony has
prevailed everywhere, except in the thea
tire of military conflict; while the theatre
has been greatly contracted by the advsnc-
ing armies and navies Of the Union.
The needful diversion Of wealth and
strength from the fields of peaceful indus
try to the national defense, has not ares
ted the pillow, the shuttle, or the ship.
The axe has enlarged the borders Of OUT
settlements, and the mines, as we'll of iron
and coal ss the precious metals, have yield
ed even more abundantly than heretofore.
Population has steadily increased, notwith.
standing the waste that has been made in
tue camp, the siege, and the battle field
and the country, rejoicing in the conscious.
ness of augmented strength and v,gor, is
permitted to expect continuance of years
with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath advised, no,
hath any mortal hand worked out these
great things. They are the gifts of the
Most High God, who, while dealing with
US in anger for our sins, bath nevertheless
remembered mercy.
1t has seemed to me 6t aud proper that
they should be solemnly, reverently, and
gratefully acknowledged by the whole
American people, do, therefore, invit,
my t~llow-citizens in every part of the
United States, and also those who are at
sea and those who are sojourning in for
eign lands, to set apart and observe the
las Thursday Of November next as a day
of thanksgiving and prayer to our beDif:
icent Father who dwelleth ia the heavens ;
and I reoommendto them that, while offer
ing up the Inscriptions justly due Him for
such singular deliverances aud blessings,
they do also, with humble penitencc for
our national preverseness and d,sobedience,
commend to His tender care all those Who
have become widows, orphans OF sufferers
in the lanentable civil strife in which We
are unavoidably engaged, and fervently
lmplore the Incorporation Of the Almighty
hand to heal the wounds Of tho nation,
and TO restore II ~ soon as may DO Con.
sistent with the Divine purposes, 10 the
full enjoyment Of peace, harmony tran.
guilty and union.
In testimony whereof, have hereauto
set my hand and caused tho seal Of the
United States to be affixed. ~
Done at the city Of Washington, this,
the third day of October, IN the year Of
our Lord 1868, and Of tho independence
Of the United States the eigAty.eighth. a.
49, 4: LINCOLN.
BY tho President: -.
zWN.' H. SEWARD, Secretary st State.