The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-08-05

A Proclamation by the President
of the United States,

WHEREAS the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives, at their last session, adopted concur
rent resolution, which was approved On the
second day of July instant and which was in
words following, namely:
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 at the
head OF the Executive Departments to unite
with him as Chief Magistrate of the nation, at
the city of Washington, and the members of
Congress, and all magistrates, all CIVIL military,
and naval officers, a soldiers sailors and ma.
rines with all loyal and law-abiding people, to
convene at their usual place of worship, or wher-
ever they may be, to confess and to repent of
their manifold sins to implOre the compassion
and forgiveness of the Almighty, that, if con-
sistent with His will, the existing rebellion
may be speedily suppressed, and the suprem-
acy of the Constitution and laws of the United
States may be established throughout all the
States 4; to lmplore Him, as the Supreme Ruler
CT the World, not to destroy US as .. people,
nor suffer us to be destroyed by the hostility
or connivance of other nations, or by obstinate
adhesion to our own counsels, which may be
In conflict with his eternal purposes, and to
implOre Him to enlighten the mind of the ma.
ton to know and do His will, humbly believ-
ing that II is in accordance with His will
that cur place should be maintained as q
united people among the family of nations:
to implore Him to grant to our armed de-
tenders and the masses of the people that cour-
age, power OF resistance and endurance neces-
sary to secure that result to imp!ore Him in
His infinite goodness to soften the hearts, en-
tighten the minds and quicken the cOnsciences
OF those in rebellion, that they may lay down
their arms and speedily return to their aleg-
ance to the United States. that they may not
be utterly destroyed, that the eff'usion of blood
may be stayed. and that unity and fraternity
may be restored, and peace established through
out all our borders.
Now, therefore, |, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Pres
ident Of the United States cordially concurring
with the Congress of the United States in the
penitential and pious sentiments expressed in
the aforesaid resolution and heartily approx
ing Of the devotional design and purpose
thereof do hereby appoint the first Thursday
of August next, to be observed by the people
of the United States as day of national hu-
initiation and prayer.
do hereby further invite and request the
heads of the Executive Departments of this
Government together with all legislators, all
judges and magistrates, and all Othe: persons
exercising authority in the land, whether civil,
military or naval, and all soldiers, seamen and
marines in the National Service, and all the
other loyal and law-atiding people of the
United States, to assemble in their preferred
places of public worship on that day, and there
to render to the Almighty and Merciful Ruler
of the Universe such homages and such con-
LESSONS and to offer to Him such supplications
as the Congress of the United States have, in
their aforesaid resolution, so solemnly so earn
estly and so reverently recommended.
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 Washington this seventh
day of July, in the year of our Lord one
LIS. 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