The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-10-16
or THE RRESI-
DENT.
Thursday, Nov. 26th, TO be Set Apart
as a Day of National Thanks
giving

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 1868.
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
fields and healthful skies. To these bounties
which are so constantly 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 insensible to the ever watchful Prov
idence of Almighty God
In the midst of cruel war of unequalled
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
advancing armies and naves of the Union.
The needful diversion of wealth and
strength from the peaceful fields of industry
to the national defence, have not arrested the
plough, 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 metals, have yielded even more album
dainty than heretofore. Population has slead-
ily increased, Notwithstanding the waste that
has been made In the camp, the siege and the
battle. field, and, the country rejoicing in the
consciousness of augmented strength and
vigor, is permitted to expect continuance OF
years with large increase of freedom. No hui
man counsel 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 for our SINS
hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has
seemed to me fit and proper that they should
be solemnly, earnestly and gratefully acknowl-
edged, as with one heart and voice, by the
whole American people.
1 do therefore invite my fellow citizens in
every part of the United States, ard also those
who are at sea, and those who are sojourning
in foreign lands, to observe and set apart the
last Thursday of November next as day of
Thanksgiving and Prayer to our Benefcent
Father who dwelleth in the heavens; and
recommend to them that, while offering up
the Inscriptions justly due to him for such
singular deliyerances and blessings, they do
also, with humble penitence for orr national
perverseneSs and disobedience, commend to
His tender care all those who have become
widows, orphans, or sufferers in the lament
able civil strife in which we are unavoidably
engaged, and fervently implore the interposi-
ton of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds
of the Nation, and to restore it as soon as may
be consistent with the Divine purposes to the
full enjoyment Of peace, harmony, tranquility
and Union.
In testimony whereof, l have hereunto set
my hand, and caused the seal of the United
States to be affixed. Done at the city of Wash
ington the third day of October, in the year f
our Lord 1868, and of the Independence of tie
United States the eighty-eighth.
A. LINCOLN.
By the President,
VIM. Fl. SEWARD, Secretary of State.