The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-10-09
by the pre.iaeu, or,he United States.
A PROCLAMATION
FOR A DAY OF
National Thanksgiving ard Prayer.

The year that is drawing TO close Ia;
been filed with the blessings Of fruitful field
.and bcaithful skies. To these bountcS which
arc 50 constantly enjoyed that we are prone
to forget tho sOnrco from which they come
others have been added which arc OF 50 ex'
traordinary nature that they cannot IAN 70
pcnctrate and soften even the heart which Is
habitually insensible TO the ever watchluI
providence Of Almighty God. In the midst
OF civil war Of unequaled magnitude aud
severity, which has sometimes seemed to IN
vito and provoke the aSgresions OF foreign
states, peace has been preserved with all mas
tions. order has been maintained, the laws
have been respected and Obeycd, and harmo'
nv has prevailed everywhere, except in the
theatre of military conflict. While that
theatre has been greatly contracted by the
advancing armies and nayics OF the Union,
the necdful diversion Of wealth and strength
from the fields Of peaceful industry to the
national Science, has not arrested the plough,
the shuttle. or the ship. The axe has cnlarG-
ed tho borders OF our settlements, and tia
mines, rs well of iron and coal as OF the pre-
cious metals, have yielded even moro abun'
dainty than heretofore. Population has
steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste
that has been made by the camp, the sciSc
and the battlefield, and the country, rcjoic-
ing in Inconsistencies OF augmcntedstrcngth
and vigor, is permitted 10 expect contihn-
nncc OF years with large increase OF Freedom.
No human council hath devised, nor hath
any mortal hand worked out these great
things. Thoy arc the gracious gifts OF the
Most High God, who, while dealing with us
in a,,rer for our sins, hath nevertheless ~
membered mercy. Ii has seemed to me tit
and proper that they should be solcmnly
rcycrcntially, and gratefully acknowledged
as with ono heart and voice, hy the whole
American people.
lido therefore invite my fellow citizens IN
every part Of the United States and also
those who arc at sea, and those who are So
iourning in foreign lands, to set apart tho
LAST TnuRspAY or NOVEMBER NExr, rs day
of Thanksgiving and prayer to our bcneiiccni
Father, who dwellcth in the heavens ana 1
recommend. too, that while Offering up the
Inscriptions Justly duo to him for such Singu-
lar dcliveranccs and blessings, they do also,
with humble penitenco for our national per-
yerscness and disobedioncc, commend to his
tender care all those who may become Wild
.ows, orphans, mourners or sufferers IN the ~
montablo civil strife in which we are una
-Yoidabiy engaged, and fcrycniy implorc tho
interposition Of the Almighty hand to heal
the wounds of the nation and to restore 1t
as soon Us may be consistent with the divine
purposes, to the full enjoyment OF peace,
harmony, tranquility and urioa.
In testimony whereof have hereunto set
my hand. and caused the seal Of the United
States 10 be affixed.
Done at the city OF Washington, this I'd day
q of October. in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and s. xty three,
and OF the Independence of the United
States tho cighty.ciShth. .,.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
By the President
WV. ii. Seward, Secretary of State.