Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-07-19
The National Fast Day,
A PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES.


A PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES.
Whereas the Senate and House of Representa-
tves, at their last session, adopted concurrent
resolution, which was approved on the second day
OF July inst, and which was in the words follow
ing, namely:
TIA. Tue 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 he 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 and marines, with all loyal and
hw-ablding people, to convene at their usual
places OF worship, or wherever they may be- to
confess and to repent Of their manifold sins to
lmplore the compassion and forgiveness OF the
Almighty, that, il consistent with His will, the
existing rebellion may be speedily suppressed, and
the supremacy of the Constitution and laws Of the
United States may be established throughout all
the States to impore HIM, as the Supreme
Ruler of the World, not to destroy US as people,
nor suffer us to be destroyed by the hostility or
connyance Of other nations, or by obstinate ad
hesion to our own coanses which may be IN con
fict with bis eternal PURPOSES aud to Implore Him
to enighten the mind Of the nation to know and
do His will, humbly believing that il is in accord
alec with His will that our place should be main.
tanned as united people among the 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-
saro to secure tat result to mpore Him in
Ills infinite goodness To soften the hearts, en-
( tighten the minds and quicken the con,ciences Of
those in rebellion, that they may lay down their
arms and speedily return to their allegiance to the
the United States, that they may not be utterly
destroyed that the eiIu,ion OF blood may be
stayed, and that unity aud fraternity may be re-
stored, and peace established throughout all our
borders.
Now, therefore, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Presi.
dent OF the United States cordially cJncurrng
with the Congress Of the United States in The
ponitental snd pious sentiments expressed in the
aforesaid resolution and heartily approving OF the
devotional design and purpose thereof, do hereby
appoint The first Thursday Of August next, to b.
obser ed by the people Of the United Sistes as
day OF national Illumination aud prayer.
! do hereby further invite and request the
heads OF the Executive Departments q tins Gov
eminent, together with all legislators, all Judgei
and magistrates, and all her persons Xercsing
authority IN the land. whether civil, military Of
naval, and oil soldiers, seamen and marines in th,
National Service, aud all the other loyal aud law
abiding people Of the United State, to a,sembl,
in their preferred places Of public worship OF
that day, and there to render to the Almight,
and Merciful Ruler Of the Universe such homage
aud such confessions, and 10 offer to Him ,uel
supptolllons4s the Congress OF the United State
have in their aforesaid resolution, 50 soemnly
so earnestly and so reyefently recommended,
In testimony whereof | have hereunto set m,
hand and caused the seal OF the United States L
be affixed
Done at the CITY Of Washington this seventh
day Of july IL the year Of our lord one
H. 5. thousand eigh, hundred and Sky oar
and OF the Independence Of the UA.y,
States The eighty ninth.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
BY the President;
WILLIAM Ii. SEWARD, Secretary OF State