Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-10-05
A Proclamation.
By THE PREsIDRNF OF THR URlTED STATES Of
AMEnTOA


By THE PREsIDRNF OF THE UEITBD STATES OF
AMERICA
The year that Is drawing towards its
close, has been filed with the blessing OF
fruitful fields and healthfnl skies. TO these
bOunties which are so constantly enjoyed
that We are prone to forget the source
from which they come, others have been
added which are Of SO extFaor6iaFy a nature
that they cannot fail 60 penetrate and sOf-
ten even the heart which is habitually in
sensible to the ever Watchful providence OF
Almighty God.
In the midst Of civil war Of uuequalled
magnitude and severity, which has some
times seemed to invite and provoke the ag-
gressions of foreign states, peace has been
preserved with all nations, order has been
maintained, the laws have been re-
spected and Obeyed, and harmony has pre-
vailed everywhere, except in the theatre of
military conflict, while that theatre has
been greatly contracted by the advancing
armies and nayies ofthe Union. The need
full diversions Of wealth and strength from
the fields of peaceful industry 70 the ma
tiOnAl defense, have not arrested the plOWI
the shuttle or the ship. The axe has en-
laFged 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 Population
has steadily increased Notwithstanding the
waste that has been made in the camp, the
seige and the battle field, and the country
rejoicing in the consciousness Of augment
ed strength aud vigoF, Is permitted 70 ex-
pect a continuance Of years with q large
increase Of freedom. No human 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. IL
has seemed to me fit aud proper that they
should be solemnly, reVeTently aud CRATE
fully acknowledged as With one heart and
voice by the whole American people.
do therefore invite my fellow citizens In
every part Of the United States, and also
those who are at sea, and those who are
sojournipg in foreign lands, to set apart
aud observe the last Thursday OF November
next as a day of thanksgiving aud 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 dsliVeranees
and blessings, they do also, with humble
penitence for our national perVerseness and
disObedience, commend to his tender care
all those who have become widows, or
phaus or sufferers in the lamentable civil
strife in which we are unayoidably engag-
ed, and ferVently implore the interpOsition
of the Almighty hand TO heal the wounds
Of the nation, and to restore It % 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 Eand 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 1868, and of the Independence of the
United States the SSth.
[Siguedl A. LINCOLN.
By the President.
WIN. q. SEWARD. Secretary of State.