Litchfield enquirer., 1864-08-04
The Fast Day Proclamation.

WHEREAS, The Senate and House of. Rep resentatives, at their last session, adopted { concurrent resolution, which was approved or the second day of July instant, and which va: in the words following, viz. :-
 That the President of the United States be requested to appoint day for humiliation and prayer by the people of the United States that he request his constitutional advisers al the head of the executive departments to unite with kim as chief magistrate of the nation, al the city of Washington, and the members ot Congress, and all magistrates, all civil. militia ry end naval officers, all soldiers, sailors and marines, with all loyal, law-abiding people, to convene at their usual places of worship, or wherever they may be, to confess and repent Of their manifold sins to implore the com passion and forgiveness of the Almighty, that, if consistent with Him, the existing rebellion may be speedily suppressed and the suprema- cy of the constitution and laws of the United States may be established throughout all the States; to implore Him, as the Supreme Ru- Ter of the world not to destroy us as people nor suffer us to be destroyed by the hostility 1 and conniyance of other nations or by obsti- nate adhesion to our own counsels, which may be in conflict with His eternal purposes, and to mplore Him to enlighten the mind of the nation to know and to do His will, humbly be- ievlng that 1t Is in accordance with His will that our place should be maintained as a uni ted people among the family of nations to lmplore him to grant to our armed defenders and the masses of the people that courage, power of resistance and endurance necessary to secure that result to implore Him in His infinite goodness to soften the hearts, enlight- CD the minds. quicken the consciences of those in rebellion, that they may lay down their arms and speedily return to their allegiance to the United States, that they be not utterly de stroyed, that the efusion of blood may be stayed, and that unity and fraternity may be restored, and peace established throughout all our bordors."
 
 ident of the United States, cordially concur ring with the Congress of the United States in the penitenti4! and pious sentiments ex sresscd in the aforesaid resolution, and heart fly approving Of the devotional design and purpose .hereof, do hereby appoint the first Thursday of August next to be observed as a day of natioDa. humiliation and prayer. I do hereby further invite and request the heads of the executive departments of this government, together with all legislators all judges and mag .4trates, and ali other persons exercising authority in the land, whether civil, military or naval and all soldiers, seamen and marines in the nationa service, and all the other loyal and law abiding people of tho Uni ted States, to assemble in their prefere pa- ces of worship on that day, and there to rem der to the Almighty and Merciful Ruler of the Universe such homages and such confessions, and 10 offer to Him such applications as the Congress of the United States have, in their aforesaid resolution, so solenlnly, so earnestly, and so reverently recommended.
 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 seventh
 day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty four,
 and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-ninth.
 ABRAHAM LINCOLN By the President
 WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State