The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-10-22

TAursdav, Nov. 26M to be Set Apart
as Day Of National Ihanksgiu-
ing.
By the President of the United States of America:
PROCLAMATION.
The year that is drawing towards its
close has been filled with the blessings
of fruitful fields and heathful skies.
To these bounties which are so con-
stantly enjoyed that We are prone to
forget the sources from which they
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 in
sensible to the ever watchful Provi-
dence of Almighty God.
In the midst of cruel war of un-
equalled magnitude and severity, which
has sometimes seemed to invite and
provoke the aggressions 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
everywhere, except in the theatre of
military conflict, while that theatre has
been greatly contracted by the advanc
ing armies and navies of the Union.
The needful diversion of wealth and
strength from the fields of peaceful in
dustry to the national defense, have not
arrested the pillow, the shuttle or the
ship. The axe has enlarged the borders
of our settlements, and the mines as
well of iron and coal as the precious
metal, have yielded even more album
dainty than heretofore. Population
has steadily increased, Notwithstanding
the waste that has been made in the
camp, the siege and the battlefield, and,
the country rejoicing in the conscious
ness of augmented strength and vigor,
is permitted to expect continuance OF
j years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised, nor
hath an mortal hand worked out these
great things. They are the gracious
gifts of the Most High God, who, while
dealing with us in anger for our sins,
hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
1t has seemed to me fit and proper that
they should be solemnly, earnestly and
gratefully acknowledged, as with one
heart and voice, by the whole Ameri-
can people.
) do therefore invite my fellow citi.
zens in every part of the United States
and also those who are at sea, and those
who are sojourning in foreign lands, te
observe and set apart the last Thursday
,, of November next as day of Thanks.
giving and Prayer to our Beneficien1
Father who dwelleth in the heavens
and recommend to them that, while
offering up the securities justly due to
Him for such singular deliverances and
, blessings, they do also, with humble
penitence for our national perverseness
and disobedience, commend to His ten
der care all those who have become
, widows, orphans, or sufferers in the la
inevitable civil strife in which we are
unavoidably engaged, and fervently i'm
plore the interposition of the Alright,
! hand to heal the wounds of the Nation
and to restore it as soon as may be
consistent with the Divine purposes tc
the full enjoyment of peace, harmony
! tranquility and Union.
In testimony whereof, l have here
, unto set my hand, and caused the sea
of the United States to be affixed
Done at the city of Washington, tn,
|. third day of October, in the year of on
Lord 1868, and of the Independence 0
the United States the eighty eighth.
A. LINCOLN.
J. By the President.
:. WIN. II. SEWARD, Secretary of State.