The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-11-04
STATE OF MAINE.
by THE GOVERNOR.
A PROCLAMATION
For Day of Public Thanksgiving and Praise

The annual religious and social festival of Thanks.
giving has come down to from the Pilgrim Fathers
with its hallowed memories together with the rich
associations OF succeeding generations. Wherever
New Englanders have gone, they have carried with
them the fondest recollecons of Than giving Day
especially its deyout services, its distribution of
bounty to the poor, and its family gatherings at the
Old Homestead-so that what was once peculiar to
New England, has gradually extended over the land
until by the recent Proclamation by the President II
has assumed . National character.
w lille the passing year has been one of great and
general affection, il has also been marked by great
and countless blessings, remembrance Of which
should lead U.S. as people most devoutly and CRATE
fully to recognize God the merciful Giver OF all
good, and also 10 pray that Affections may,
thronsh MS oVerruhhg power, yet prove our great
In accordance, therefore with the good old custom
of our fathers. as well as in view OF the eminent lit.
ness of the occasion, with the advice and consent of
the Executive Council, l hereby appoint THURS
DAY, the 26th day of NOVEMBER next, TO be OBJ.
served by the people of this State day Of Thanks
giving and Praise.
Let us that day, resting from the cares and tolls
of business, meet in our accustomed places Tor the
devout worship and praise of Almighty God.
Let us praise Him that our borders have not been
rayaged by desolating armies that the gaantfy and
heroism of our soldiers have been so often crowned
with victory; that many of cur oppressed coun-
trymen have been delivered from the hands of
ell and mercenary enemy; that the humanity and
justice of have at last enlisted side
the sympathies Of mankind and that the narrowing
limits, the exhausted resources and the waning hopes
of the Rebellion give signs of speedy peace.
Leu us tlab u Douuuiui harvest has
crowned store for the coming year, that labor In
all the departments of industry has met with lib
eral reward, and that in the midst Of gigantic civil
war not only have agriculture commerce and the
mechanic arts hourished but the interests of educa
ton, philanthropy and religion have not been neg
ected.
And while lifting hearts in devout gratitude to
God for His Astounding goodness, let us remember
the poor who are among u.s. let us remember our pa
trotic friends and citizens absent in the army
and especially let US remember in sympathy and
every needed aid. those stricken households that
have offered up fathers sons. husbands and brothers
a willing sacrifice the altar of liberty, duty and
country.
And in our hopefulness let not forget fraity
our pronencss TO evil, constant need of Divine
aid and of the mercy of God in Jesus Christ that
may become dit recipients of His continued blessings
and successful defenders of national liberties
Given at the Concil Chamber. at Augusta, this thir
tieth day of October, in the year of our Lord
thousand eight hundred and sxty-three, and o
the independence of the United States the eighty
eighth.
BY the Governor.
ABNER COBURN.
JOSEPH B. HALL, Secy of State.