The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-10-09
Proclamation by the President for q
day of Thai ksglving and Prayer.
WAsHINaToN, October

WASHlNGTON, OclOueV ..
The year that is drawing towards its close
has been filed with the blessings of fruitful
fluids and hcalthfu skies. To those bounties
which we have so constantly enjoyed, and
which VIC are so promo to forget the source
from which they come, others have been added
which are Of such an extraordinary nature
that they cannot fail to prostrato ard soften
even tho heart which is babi;ually insensi-
bic to the ever watchful providence of Al
mighty God. In tho midst Of a civil war of
unequaled magnitude and severity. which
has sometimes seemed TO invite and pro-
woke the aggressions of foreign States, peace
has been preserved with ali nations; order
mas lrecn maintained; tho laws have bee n
respected md obeyod. aud harmony has
prevailed everywhere except in the theater
of military conflct-which lhcaier has
been greatly contracted. Tho advancing
armies and navics of tho Union, the ncedfuI
diversions of wealth and strength from the
fields of peaceful Industry, to The national
shuttle or the ship. The axe has enlarged
the borders OF our settlements, and the mines
as we'll of iron and coal as tho precious met.
ais. have yielded even more abundanlly
than heretofore. The population has stead
lily increased, notwithstanding the waste
that has been made in tho camp, the siege
and tho battlc field; and tho couplry,rejoc
ing in the consciousness of augmented
strength and vigor, is permitted TO expect q
continuance of years with a large increase
of freedom. No human counsel bath de-
, viscd, nor mortal hand worked out. thes,
great things. They are tho gracious git'
of tho most high God, who, while dealing
with US in anger for our sins, hath, never
| thoIcss remembered ns in mercy 1t hatl
seemed to me fit and proper that they
should be solemnly, reveroutly and CRATE
fully acknowledged, as with ono hoart auC
ono voice, by the whole American people
do therefore invite my follow citizens it
every part of the United States, and alst
those who are at sea. and those who arc so
jourDing in foreign lands, to set apart ant
observe the last Thursday in November
next, as q day of Thanksgiving and Prayer
to cur benefcent Father who dwelleth il
the heavens, aud | recommend TO them that
whi'o offering up the aspirations justly due
to Him for such singular devorances anc
blessings, thoy do also, with humble peni
tence for our national pervorseness and dis
obedience, commend to His tender care al
those who have become widows. orphans. OF
sufferers in the lamen,able civil strife in
which VIC are unavoidably engaged. and for.
vont!y imploro tho intcrposition of tho Al
mighty hand to heal tho wounds OF tho Da-
ton, aud to restore, as soon as may be con-
sistent with the divine purposes, to tho full
enjoyment of beuco, harmony, tranquility
and union.
In testimony whereof have hereunto se
my hand and caused tho seal of the Unitet
States to DO affixed. Done at tho City o
Washington, this, tho 81 dav of Oct 'ber
in tho year of our Lord eighteen hundre'
aud sixty-lhree. and of the independence o
the United States tho eighty.ci ehh,
A. LINCOLN.
By the President:
| WM. III. SEWARD, Secretary of State.