The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1864-07-14
proclamation by the President.
ApAY OF FASTING AND PRAYER.

Whereas, The Senate and House of
Representatives, at their last session, ad-
opted a Concurrent Resolution, which was
approved on the second day of July inst,
and which was in the words following,
namely:
s:'Fhat the President of the United
States be requested to appoint a day of
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, all soldiers,
sailors anG marines, with all loyal and
law-abidinS people, to cont enc at their
usual places Of worship, or wherever they
may be, to coufess and to repent of their
manifold sins to implore the compassion
and forgiveness of the Almighty, that, if
consistent with His will, the existing re-
bellion may be speedily suppressed, and
the supremacy OF the Consti tuition and
laws OF the United States may be estab.
lished throughout all the States to i'm
plore Him, as the Supreme Ruler Of the
World, not to destroy Us as people ; nor
to suffer US to be destroyed by the hostili-
ty or connivance of other nations, or by
obstinate adherence to our own counsels,
which may be in conflict with His eternal
purposes, and to implorc Hin to enlightep
the mind of the nation to know and do
His will, humbly believing that it is in
accordance with His will that our place
should be maintained as united people
among TIE family Of nations to implore
Him to grant to our armed defenders and
the masses of the people that courage,
power Of resistance and endurance neces-
sary to secure that result ; TO implOre Him
in His Infinite goodness TO soften the
hearts, en'iehten the minds, and quicken
the consciences of those In rebellion, that
they may lay down their arms and speedily
return TO tbei- allegiance 10 the United
States, tina. they may not be utterly destroy
ed d;that the effusion OF blood may be stayed,
and that unity and fraternity may be re
stored, and peace established throughout
al our borders"
Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln,
President of the United States, cordially
eoucurring with the Congress of the
United States In the penitent:al and pi0us
sentiments expressed ID the aforesaid
resolution, and heartily approving Of the
devotional design and purpose thereof, do
hereby appoint tie first Thursday Of Au-
gus; next to be observed By the people OF
the United States as a day Of National
| humiliation and prayer.
| l do hereby further invite and request
| the Fl eads of the Executive Departments
Of this Government, together with all
| Legislators, all judges and Magistrates,
and all other persons exercising authority
in the land, whether civil, military or ma
| val, and all soldiers, seamea and marines
| in the National service, aud ali the other
loyal and law-abiding people of the United
| States, to assemble In their preferred
places Of public worship on that day, and
there to rcn1er to the Almighty and
Mercifui Ruler of the Universe such
homages and such Confessions, and to offer
to Him such supplications as the Congress
of the United States hav-, in their afore-
said Resolution, so solemnly, SO earnestly
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 Washin gton this
seventh of July, il the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and sixty
four. aud of the Independence oe the
| United States the eighty.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
| BY the President:
| WILLIAM Ii. SEWARD, Secy. of State.