Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-10-09
ANATIONAL THANKSGIVING.
by the President Of the United States,
A PROCLAMATION.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8. The year that is draw
ing toward its close has been filled with the
blessings Of fruitful fields and healthful skies.
To these bOuutes which are 80 constantly enjoy
ed that we are prone TO forget the source from
which they come, others have been added. which
are of SO extraordinary u nature that they can
not fail TO penetrate and soften even the heart
which is habitually insensble to the ever watch
full Providence of Almighty God. In the midst
of civil war of unequaled magnitude and Sc
verify, which has sometimes seemed to invite and
provoke the aggression Of foreign states, peace
has been preserved with all nations, order has
been maintained, the laws have been respected
and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed every
where except in the theatre Of military conflict,
while that theatre has been greatly contracted
by the advancing armies and navies Ofthe Union.
The needful diversion Of wealth and strength
from the fields Of peaceful industry TO the Ma
tional defense have not arrested the pillow, the
shuttle or the ship. The axehas enlarged the
borders of our settlements, and the mines, as
well of IRON and coal as Of the precious metals,
have yielded even more abundantly than here
tofore.
Population has steadily increased, notwith-
standing the waste that has been made by the
camp. the siege and the battlefield, and the
country, rejoicing in ths consciousness Of aug
mentel strength and yigor, Is permitted TO ex-
pect continuance Of years with large increase Of
freedom.
No human council hath devised, nor hath any
mortal hand worked out these great things
They are the gracious gifts Of the most high God,
who. while dealing with Us in anger iorour sins,
hath nevertheless remembered mercy. II has
seemed to me fit and proper that they should be
solemnly, reverentially and gratefully acknow-
lt,re,l. as with one heart and voice, by the whole
American people.
| do therefore invite my fellow-citLzens in every
part Of the Unitetl States and also those who are
NJ sea and those who are soiournIug in foreign
lands, to set apart the LAST THURSDAY oF No
VENEER next. a. "A day ofthauksgv wing ami pray
er to our beneicent Father. who dwelleth 900 the
Heavens and recommend too that while offer
Ing up the Inscriptions justly due o. Him Tor
such singular deliversnces and blessings, they
DO also, with humble penitence for our national
perverseness and discbedience, commend 90 HIS
tender care all those who have become widows,
orphans, mourners or sufferers IN the hmeutthle
civil strife in which we are unayoidabiy engaged,
and fervently implore the interPo-ition Of the
Almighty hand 20 heal the wounls of the nation,
and % restore il. a. soon rs may he consistent
with Divine purposes, 10 the full enjoyment Of
peace, harmony, tranquility and UNION
Ia testimony whereof, have hercunto set my
hand and caused the seal Of the United states to
be affixed Done at the city OF Washington, thi-
third day Of October, in the year Of our Lord
One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty-Ihrec
and of the Independence Of the United States the
Eighty-Eighth
tSigne,D ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
By the President ". n. SEw,Er. Sec y Of
State