The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-10-05
Washington. Oct. s.
~ - tss,s'l 3 ~ = - = ~
By the President Of the United States Of

Wasntn&t0ns Oct. 3sas
By the President of the United States Of
America-A proclamation:
The year that is drawing toward its
close has been filed with the blessings of
fruitful fields and healthful skies. To
these bounties which are so cousta ntly
en- ;ossd that we are prone to forget the
source from which they come, others have
been added which are OF 50 extraordinary
a nature, that they cannot fail to pen+-
trate and soften even the heart which is
habtuslly insensible to the ever watchrul
providence Of Almighty God.
In the midst of civil war of great
magnitude and severity. which has some
times seemed to invite and provoke the
aggression Of foreign States. peace ha-
been preserved with all nations, order
has been maintained, the laws have been
respected and obeyed, and harmony has
prevailed everywhere except in the thea
| ire of military conflict. While that thea
ire has been greatly contracted BY the
advancing armies and navies OF the
Union. the needful diversion of wealth
and strength from the walks OF peaceful
industry to the National defense, have
not arrested the pillow, the shuttle, or the
ship. The axe has enlarged the borders
of our settlements, and the mines, as well
of iron and coal rs the precious metals,
have Welded more abundantly than here
tofore population has steadily increased
notwithstanding the waste that has been
made in the camp, the siege and the bat
! tie Fl cid, and the country, rejoicing IN the
consciousness of augmented strength
and vigor, is permitted to expect con.
tinuance of years, with large increase o.
| Freedom.
! No human counsel hath designed, pol
hath any mortal hand worked out these
great things They are the most graclou:
! git of the Most High God, who. whiIs
dealing with us ia anger for our sins
hath nevertheless remembered mercy Il
has seemed to me fl and proper that they
should be s,lemnly, reveien,ly and CRATE
fully acknowledged, with one heart ant
one voice, by the whole American people
do, therefore invite my fellow citizen
lin every part of the United States, VIII,
are at sea and those who are sojournlng
in foreign lands, to set apart and observe
the last Thurs lay Of November next as 1
day of Thanks giving and prayer to OF
bene fcent Father who dwelie,h in tb
Heavens, and | recommend 10 them tha
while Offering up the aspirations justl.
due to him for such sin deliversnce an.
blessings, they do, also, with bumbldc
penitcnce for our National perversenes
and disobedience, commend to his tende
care all those who have become widows
orphans or sufferers in the lamentabl
civil strife 10 which we are unavoidabl
engaged, and devoutly implore The inter
position of the Almighty hand to heal IN
wounds Of the nation, and to restore ii, 3
soon as may be consistent with the Di
vine purpose, to the fall enjoymeut 0
peace, harmony, tranquility aud Uaion.
In testimony whereof. have herewith
set my hand aud caused the seal OF tn
United States to be affixed. Done a
the city Of Washington this the Sd day q
October, in the year Of our Lord 1868
and of the Independence of the United
States the s8lh. A. LINCOLN.
By the Prest, WV. II. SEWARD.
Sec'y of State.