Daily national Republican., 1863-11-25
A NATIONAL THANKsalvINa.
BY the Prss,dsnt Of ths Uaitsa states Of
America.
A PRoC LAMArIoN.

I.f Oh fs 10 La ATIoN.
L.-.s........ (oyrIcIAL.1
The year that 10 drawing towards its close,
has been flied with the blessings OF fruitful
fields and healthful skies. To these bouutles,
which are 50 constantly enjoyed that we are
prone TO forget the source from which they
come, others have been added, which aro Of SO
extraordinary a nature that they cannot fall to
penetrate and soften even the heart which 10
habltuslly Insenslbleto to the ever-watchful provl
dence Of Almighty God.
In the midst Of q civil war OF unequs. ed
magnitude and severity which has sometimes
seemed to foreign States TO invite and TO pro.
woke their aggression, peace has been preserved
with oil nations, order has been maintained;
the laws have been respected and obeyed, and
harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in
the theatre Of military conflict; while that the
atre has been greatly contracted by the sdvanc-
Ing armies and nsvles Of the Union.
Needful diversions Of wealth and of strength
from the fields Of peaceful industry to the ma
tional defence, have not arrested the plough,
the shuttle or the ship, tho axe has enlarged
tho borders OF our settlements, and the mines,
as well Of iron and coal as of the precious
metals, have yielded even more abundantly
than heretofore. Population has steadily in
creased, Notwithstanding the waste that has
been made In the camp, the siege, and the bat
tle!feld; and the country, rejoicing In the con-
seriousness of augmented strength and vigor,
is permitted to expect continuance of years
with large Increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath
any mortal hand worked out these great thipgs.
They are the gracious gifts of the Most High
God, who. while dealing with us In anger for
our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me at and proper that they
should be solemnly, revereutly and gratefully
acknowledged as with one heart and voice by
the whole American people.
do therefore invite my fellow.cltizens, in
every part OF the United States, and also those
who arc at sea and those who are sojourning
In foreign lands, to set apart and observe the
last Thursday of November next, as day Of
Thanksgiving and Praise TO our heusaceut
Father who dweileth In the Heavens.
And recommend 10 them that, while offer.
ing up INC sscripuops justly que 70 Him tor
such singular dslIverances and blessings, they
do also, with humble penitencs for our national
perverseness and disobedience commend "a
His tender care all those who have become
widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers In the
lamentable civil strife In which we are una.
voidably engaged, and fervently implore the
iuterpositlon of the Almighty Hand to heal the
wounds Of the nation, aud TO restore 1t as soon
as may be consistent with the Divine purposes
to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tran
guilty and Union.
In testimony whereof, Ihave hereuuto set
my hand and caused the seal of the United
States to be affixed.
Dsne at the city Of Washington, this third
day Of October, In the year Of our Lord
u. g. one thousand eigh, hundred and sixty.
three, and of the independence of the
United States, the eighty. eighth.
| ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
By the President:
| WILLIAM r. SRwApn Sscretary of Rtate