Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-10-30
THANKseuvrNe PROCLAMATION.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA.

The year that is drawing toward close, has
been filed with the blessings Of fruitful fields
aud healthful skies. To these bounties, which
are so constantly enjoyed that VIC are prone to
forget the source from which they come, Others
have been added which are Of so extraordinary
a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate aud
soften even the heart which is habitually insen-
sible to the ever wRtchful providence of AL
mighty God. In the midst Of a civil war Of un-
equallcd magnitude and severity, which has
sometimes seemed to invite aud provoke the ag-
Rressions of foreign States, peace has been pre-
served with all nations, order has been main
tanned, tho 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. The ad-
vancng armies aud naves Of the Union and the
needful diversions of wealth and strength from
the fields of peaceful industry to the national
defence have not arrested the plow, 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 abundantly than heretofore. Popu-
lation has steadily increased, notwithstanding
the waste that has been made in the camp, the
siege and the battle field; aud The country reioc
ing in the consciousness of augmented strength
and vigor is permitted TO expect 4 continuance
of years with a large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor mortal
hand worked out these great things They have
Deen the gracious glftS OF the most hlgn OiOd,
who while dealing with us in anger for our sins,
hath nevertheless remembered us in mercy. 1t
hath seemed to me fit aud proper that they
should be solernnly reverently and gratefully
acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice,
by the whole American people; and do there
fore invite my fellow citizens in every part of
the United States, and also those who are at sea
and those who are sojourners in foreign lands,
to set apart and observe the last Thursday of
November next as a day of Thanksgiving and
Prayer to our benefcent father who dwell
eth in the Heavens; and l recommend to them
that while offering up the aspirations justly due
to Him for such singular deliverances and bless
ings, they do also with humble penitence for our
national perverseness and disobedence COM
mend to his tender care all those who have be-
come widows, orphans or sufferers in the Ia
mentable civil strife in which we are unavoida.
bly, engaged, and fervently implore the interpo.
siton 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 have hereunto set my
hand and caused the seal of the United States to
be affixed. Done at the city of Washington this
the third day of October in the year of our Lord
eighteen hundred and sixty-three, and of the
Independence of the United States the eighty
eighth.
rSgned1 A. LINCOLN.
VIM H. SEWARD, Secy of State.