The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-10-09
A Day of National Thanksgiving.
BY the President of the United States
of America,
A PROCLAMATION.

The year that is drawing towards its close
has been filled with the blessings of fruitful
field and healthful skies. To these bounties
which are 80 constantly enjoyed that we are
prone to forget the source from which the,
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 insensible to the ever watchful
providence of Almighty God. In the midst
of a civil war, Of unequa!ed magnitude and
severity, which has sometimes seemed to in
vite and provoke the aggressions of foreign
states, peace has been preserved with all ma
tions, order has been maintained, tie laws
have been respected and obeyed, and harmo-
ny has prevailed everywhere except in the
theater of military conflicts. while that the.
alter has been greatly contracted by the adj
vancing armies and navies of the Union.
The needful diversions of wealth and strength
from the fields of peaceful industry to the
national defense have not arrested the plow
the shuttle, or the ship. The ak has enlarg-
ed the borders of our settlements, and tn.
mines. as well of iron and coal as of the
precious metals, have yielded even more
abundantly than heretofore. Population has
steady increased, notwithstanding the vast.
that has been made by the camp. the siege
and the field, and the country, rejoicing in
Inc consciousness Of augmented strength
and vigor, is permitted to expect the con,in-
oance Of years with large increase of free
dom, No human counsel hath devised, nor
hath any mortal hand worked out thes.
great things. They are the gracious gifts OF
ii" most high God, who, "h.Ie deaii"g with
u> N anger for our sins, hath nevertheless re-
ner,bered mercy.
1t has seemed to NE iii and proper that
th-y should be solen 1iy, reverentIy and
gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart
,"d voice, by the whole American people
ard do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens.
i "recy par. Of the United States an ais
rcse who are It sea and those who are So
journing in foreign lands. 10 set apart aud
observe the LAST THURSDAY Of NOVEMBER
next as : day Of thanks eiv;ng and pla,e r t.
our benetacto1 who dwelleth in the heavens.
and recommend 70 them that while Offering
up the ascri ptlons justly due to Him for sucn
singular deliyerances and blessings, they de-
also, with humble rcn.tence for our naionai
perverseness and disobedience, commend e.
His tender care all those who have becor,e
widows, ophans, mournars, or sufferers in tie
iamenlable civil strife in which We are IN.
avoidabiy engaged, and fervently imp'ore the
interpostion of tie Almighty Hand to heal
the wounds OF the nation, and to restore il
as soon as may be consistent with the d.
vine purposes, to the fall enjoyment Ct peace.
harmony, tranquility AID Union.
In testimony whereof, have hereuaio sci
my hand and caused the seal Of the United
States to be affixed. Done at the city c!
Washington this third day of October, in tn
year Of our Lord one thousand eight hun,
drpd and sixty three, aud Of the in,lepen
dence of the United States the eighty eighth
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
BY the President
W. II. SEWARD. Sec. of State.