The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-10-16
Proclamation by President Lincoln--A
THANKSGIVING Day Appointed.


WASHINGTON, Oct. 3.-Ihe following Proc~
lamation has just been issued:
R the Preuoelt Of the United States Of America /;
A PROCLAMATION.
The wear that is drawing towards its close
bos been filed with the blessings of fruitful
fields and healthtul skies. TO these bountles,
which are so constantly enjoyed that we are
prone TO forget the source from winch they come
others have been added, which are OF such an
extraordinary nature that they cannot fail to
penerate and soften the heart which IS habltu-
ally nsensible to the ever watchful providence
of Almighty God.
In the midst of civil war OF unequaled
magnitude and severity, which has sometimes
seemed TO provoke the aggression OF foreign
States, peace has been preserved with all ma
lions. order has been maintained, the laws have
been respected and obeyed, and harmony has
prevailed everywhere except in the theatre OF
our military conflict while that theatre has
been greatly contracted by the advancing armies
and navics of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength
from the fields of peaceful labor to the Nation-
al defence have not arrested the plow, the shut
tie or the Ship The axe has enlarged the bor-
ders of our settlements and the mines are full
of iron and coal and of the precious metals, and
have yielded even more adundantly than hereto
fore.
Population has steadily increased, notwith-
standing the waste that has been made in the
camp, the siege and the battlefield and the
country, rejoicing in the consciousness of aug
mented trength and vigor, is permitted to expect
continuance of years with a large increase o
freedom.
No human council hath devised, nor hath
auy 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
oar sins has nevertheless remembered mercy. Ii
bae sa,ned to me fit and proper that they should
bsGoisrnniy, reyerently and gratefully acknowl-
edged by tte whole American people.
do therefore, invite my fellow citizens in
ever part of the United States md also those
who are at sea and those who are sojournine
in foreign countries to set apart and observe the
last Thursday of November next as a day o.
thanksgiving and prayer and praise to our be-
neficent Father, who dwelleth in the heavens
and recommend that, while offering up the
Inscriptions justly due to Him for such singular
deiverances and blessings, they do also, with
humble penitence for our perverseness and DISC
bedience, commend to His tender care all thost
who have become widows, mourners or sufferers
in the lamentable civil strife in which we are
unavodably engaged and fervently implore tht
interposition of the Almighty and TO heal the
wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soor
SIS may be consistent with the Divine purpose:
to the full enjoyment of peace, tranquility an(
nnion.
L. s. In testimony Whereof have hereun
% se: nv hand and caused the seal of the u
nited States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington this Sd day
Of October, in the year of Lord one thousand
eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the indie.
pendenc Of the United States eighty-eighth
By the President. ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
WI1IxAA III. SEWARD, Secretary of State