Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1864-11-12
Thanksgiving.

blow, d,~isuaiin- AM. sitting APART the :i,h
ins: a. day OF Thanksgiving ard Prsise &c
the Suvr,me Ruler Of the | inverse for ths
many blessings vuucAsa:,d to US during the
past ycar The same day has likewise be, u
st sI,a,t by the President. and vii lie Oh
served ev,r.~Lerv by the loyal people IL tbs
Eepablie.
The approach oi Thanksgiving. always con-
sideretl tie most II a-irg anniversary Of tbs
vesr. TIL harbinger Of family reunions, ana
suggesting TO tie mind TIE happy fTside
with friendships circle untrpkcn. viii B.
greeted by many with suldned feelings as
thy ponder upon lie absrnee Ct some loved
one u no will never JON thrir nmltcrs again.
The yearRins instinct tor home. y hich has
files, the brr..s; Of tie waader.s - Fitting
time marked the APPROACH of Thanksgiving
day. viii find no rrspouoe in many brave
heart. wloee a-hrs Inir=lr with ,hc clods of
the yall,y. Who have died in iha0nollc..
'causc which irremrn oould spouse. Th,ir
! alsyace viii b. marked by the thousands OF
hearts mad. de<olate. To these tie day " III
be on. Of hcly resignation and hop. While
they mourn f,r the LOST. thy will thank an
oveunling Providence tina, they still have 4
Government; that their lives are spared ;
that the dcsolaiion Of war has no, yet a-sai!cd
them beyond their powers Of endurance that
the wort is past, and the end Of civil strife
cannot be aiar off.
To us. however. the day should be one of
unrestrained, earnest and heartfelt thanks
giving. We have not yet had to drink of the
bitter cup to the dregs. We arc isolated from
the scene of carnage, and while peace and
plenty have been our lot, We have been bat
hopeful, prayerful spectators of the fearful Or
deal. But our banners are now wrcathcd
with the garlands of victory. Our gallant
hosts have steadily but surely circumscribed
tho bounds of treason, and arc dealing power
full blows to the remnant of rebellion. The
people, Notwithstanding the Vaccinations of
wicked and designing men, have unwavcr-
ingly supported those in authority, and our
nation will emerge from war purified,
strengthened and ennoblcd by the blood Of
heroic men. As patriots, we should rejoice
that we still have a country able to defy the
world and Withstand dissentions from
within; rs Union-loving citizens Of Washing
ton Territory, we should rejoice that our ma
ton is triumphant, and that our people have
dwclt together in peace, plenty and unity.
PROCLAMATION.
Another year is drawing to close, year
crowned with the blessings of health aud
plenty to our young Territory. These are
the gifts Of a gracious and bountiful Provi-
dence which is continually exercised over us.
Though the Christening hand of God is still
upon us rs nation, on account Of both ma
tional and individual SINS lie has nevertheless
preserved us. Our arms have been SUCCESS
full and have materially diminished the area
and the strength Of rebellion. Whatever of
success has been realized is due to Him who
rules in all the affairs of men, who rebukcs us
in His anger, but remembers us in mercy.
1t seems fit, therefore, that We should rev.
crently and gratefully acknowledge the good
ness, the kindness and mercy of our Divine
Benefacfor. Iwould, therefore, invite the cit
izcns of this Territory to set apart and observe
the oath day of November next, as day of
Thanksgiving and Praise to Almighty God,
for all the blessings manifested to US. And
would also recommend that whilst thus en-
gagged, they should remember the wounded
and the dying, in field, in tent and hospital ;
the mourning, the bereaved and tho afflicted,
throughout the land, especially the widow and
the fatherless, invoking for all the tenders care
Of our Heavenly Father, and implorc His in
terposition to stay the present strife and re-
store peace and happiness to all our borders
The news has just reached US by the tclc.
graph, since the above was penned, that the
President of these United States has set apart
the same day. as one of National Thanksgiving
and Praise, thus presenting us with another
reason for such an observance Of the day, and
for the merging of that which was bounded in
part by Territorial limit, into that which is
broader ana national.
~, In testimony whereof. 1 have here
L. s. unto set my hand and caused the
49, seal of the Territory to be affixed at
Olympia, this 2Sth day October, in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
sixty. four, and of the Independence of the
United States the eighty ninth.
WILLIAM PICKERING.
BY the Governor:
EIwooD EVANS,
Secretary Washington Terry.
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