Litchfield enquirer., 1863-11-26
aTHANKSGTyING.
sPrOclamatiOn by the President. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
 STATES OF AMERICA.
A PROCLAMATION.

B1 THE PRESIDENT OF HE U tiNlIEU STATES OF AMERICA.
 A PROCLAMATION. Aa The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with the blessing of fruitful fields, and healthful skies. To these 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 cannot fail to
 penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually i,seBsible to the ever watchfal Prov idencc of Almighty God.
 In the midst of civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to invite and provoke the aggressions ot foreign states, peace has been preserved With all nations. order has been maintained the
 laws have been respected and obeyed, and har-
 mony hss prevailed eyerywhere except in the
 theatre of military conflict. while that theatre
 has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. The needful diversion of we: lth and strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the National defense,
 have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship.
 The axe has enlarged the borders of our set dement's. and the mines as we'll as of iron and
 coal, as of the precious metals, have yielded
 even more abundantlY than heretofore.
 Population has steadily increased, notwith-
 standing the waste that has been made by the
 camp. the siege and the battle field, and the
 country rejoicing in the consciousness of aug
 mented strength and vigor, is permitted to ex- pect continuance of years with large freedom. No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any
 mortal hand worked out these great things teey are the precious gifts of the Most High God-who, while dealing with us in anger fol our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy
 It has seemed to me fit and pro per that they l should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully
 acknowledged as with one heart and voice by
 the whole American people. I dotherefore
 invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and, also those who are at sea I and those who are sojourning in foreign lands
 to set apart and observe the last Thursday ot November next as day of Thanksgiving and
 Prayer to our Beni6cent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens; and recommend to them tha, l while offering up to the ascriptions justly due
 to Him for such singular del;verances and
 blessings. they do also with humble penitence
 for our National pcrverseness and disobedience
 commend to his tender care all those who have
 become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers
 in the lamentable civil strife in which we are
 unavoidably engaged. and fervently implore the
 interpretation of the Almighty hand to heal the
 wounds of the Nation and restore it as soon as
 may be consistent with the divine purposes, to
 the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquil ity, and Union. In testimony whereof, have
 hereunto Set my hand and caused She Seal of
 the United States be affixed. sE Done at the City of Washington, this third
 day of October, in the year of our Lord one
 thousand eight hundred and sixty three, and
 of the Independence of the United States the
 eighty-eigth. --,.-,
 fSiened.l ABRAHAM LINCOLN. By the President ........ Wv, H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.