Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-11-04
THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION

By THE PRESIDENT OF TIE UNITED SrArE.
| OF AMERIcA:
The year that is drawing towards its close
has been filled with the blessings of fruitful
| fields and healthful skies. To these bouuties.
which are so constantly enjoyed that we are
| prone 10 forget the source from which they
come, others have been added, which are OF
such extraordinary nature that they cannot
| IAN to penetrate and soften the heart which is
! habitually insensible TO the ever watcbful
| providence of Aim ighty God.
| In the midst of civil war of uneaualled
magnitude and severity, which has sometim es
seemed 10 provoke the aggression of foreign
states, peace has been preserved with all ma
lions, order has been maintained, the laws
nave been respected and Obeyed, and harmo-
ny mas prevailed everywhere except in the
theatre OF our military conflict, while that
theatre has been greatly contracted by the ad-
Vancing armies and navies of the Union
Needfui diversions of wealth and of strength
from the felds Of peacefn labor to the nation
a. oeience have not arrested the plough, the
shuttle, or the ship. The axe has enlarged
the borders of our sett 10 ments, and the mines
are ia IL OF iron and coal, and OF the precious
metals, and have yielded even more abundant
iy than heretofore.
reputation has steadily increased, notwith-
standing the waste that has been made in the
siege, and the battle field and the country.
rejoicing I'D the consciousness oil augmented
strength and vigor, is permitted TO exp ct A
continuance of years, with a large increase of
freedom.
NO human council hath devised. nor hath
any mortal hand worked out these great things
Ihey are the gracious gifts of the Most High
Hod, VINO, while dealing with us in anger for
our SINS, mas, nevertheless, remembered mer-
cy. III mas seemed to ME fit and proper that
lhey should be solemnly ,reverent y and CRATE
fniiy acknowledged by the whole American
people.
do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens in
every part OF the United States, aud also those
VINO are al sea and those who are sojourning
IN foreign countries, to set apart and observe
the last Thursday of November next as day
OF thanksgiving and prayer and praise to our
oenehcent Father, who dweleth in the Heay- |
ems; and / recommend that, while Offering |
up the Inscriptions justly due to Him for such |
singular deiverances and blessings, they do |
also, with humble pentence for our perverse-
ness and disobedience, commend to his tender /
care all those who have become widows, or,
phahs, nonrners, or sufferers in the lamenta-
oie civil strife In which We unavoidably |
engaged, and ferveBtiy implore the interposi-
ton OF the Almighty hand to heal the wounds |
OF the nation, land to restore il, as soon as may
oe consistent with the Divine purposes 10 the
luii enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquil
~, and union.
IL. s. In testimony whereof have here.
lnto set my hand and caused the seal OF the
United States tn be affixed. Done at the CITY
81 Washington, this third day of October in
he year of our Lord one thousand eight hum
ired and sixty-three, and of the Independence
'f the United States the eighty eighth.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
By the President.
WIN. Fl. SEWARD, Secretary of State.