The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-07-22
The Presidents Fast Day Procla.
nation.

Whereas, The Senate and House of Re-
resentatiyes, at their last session, adopted a
concurrent resolution, which was approved
on the second day of July instant, and
which was in the words following, name
ly:-
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 depart
ments to unite with him as chief magistrate
os the nation, at the city Of Washington, and
the members Of Congress, and all magls-
trates. all civil, military ard naval officers, all
soldiers. sailors and Marines with loyal and
law abiding people, TO convene at their usu-
al places ot worship, or wherever they may
De. to confess and repent Of their manifold
e.ns TO implore the compassion and forgive
ness of the Almighty, that, if consistent with
His will, the existing rebellion may be speed
ily suppressed, and the supremacy OF the
constitution and laws of the United States
may be established throughout all the states ;
to implore Him, as the Supreme ruler OF the
world, not to destroy US as people, nor sui
fer us to be destroyed by the hostility or con-
nivance of other nations, or by obstinate ad-
hesion to cur counsels, which may be in con
tilct with His eternal purposes, and to lmpiore
Him to enlighten the mind of the nation TO
know and do His will, humbly believing that
our place should be maintained as d united
people among the family Of nations to IN
plore Him to grant TO our armed defenders
and the masses of the people that courage,
mower of resistance and endurance necessary
to secure that result to implore Him in His
infinite goodness to soften the hearts, ,enighten
en- the minds, and quicken the consclences OF
those in rebellion, that they may lay down
their arms and speedily return to their allegl-
ance to the United States, that may they not
be utterly destroyed,that the etiuSlon OF blood
may be stayed, and that unity and fraternity
NAV be restored and peace established
throughout ali borders"
Now, Therefore, |, Abraham Lincoln, Pres
dent OF the UCited States, cordially concur
ring with the Congress of the United State:
in the penitential and pious sentiments ex
presssd in the aforesaid resolution, and heart
lily approving of the devotional design ant
purpose thereof do hereby appoint the frs
Thursday of August next to be observed a
a day Of national hrmi,iati n and prayer.
| hereby further invite and request the
heals of the executive departments OF thI
government, together with all legislators, al
Judges and magistrates, and all other person
exercising authority in the land, whethe
civil, military or naval, and all soldiers, sea
men and marines III the national service, ant
all the other loyal and law abiding people 0
, the United States. so assemble in their pre-
ierred places of public worship on that da
and there to render to the Almighty an
rnercifu Ruler of the Universe such homage
and such confessions, and to offer to Hill
such supplications as the Congress OF tn
t United States have, in their aforesaid resolu
ton, sosolemy, 50 earnestly, and so revel
fntlv recommended.
In testimony whereof have hereunto Sc
nv hand and caused the seal of the Unite
States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington this sevent
day of July, in the year OF ou
Lord one thousand eight hundre
: 1Seal.l and siyty-four and of the indepel
dence of the United States II
piuhty.ninth