Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1865-12-02
By the Governor of West Va.
A PROCLAMATION.


UiHE year that is drawing TO close has
\ been one OF signal and bountiful mer-
cles. The tempest OF rebellion which
darkened and devastated the land and left
desolate thousands of once happy homes,
has passed away, and peace again blesses
She land with sunshine from her white
wings. The great armaments,the leglons
OF armed men, the lbundeIs Of wars ter
rife engnery, and the terror, blOod and
death of four years stupendous conflict.
exist enI y in the past land have LETT scarce
Iy shadow 10 darken the smiling peace
which the present year has brought rs.
Nor ls peace the only boon secured by
the dread arbiiramenI forced upon the
county. Lasting tranquility has been
secured, because the source of all our dis
orders has been destroyed, and the great
principles, which underlie our Government
have been vndicated, strengthened and
purified. Treason and usurpalion, which
assaiied good government and natural
right, have been ove-powered and dis
armed; and the penpe of the United States
have not only stricken off the shackIes
of four millions of bondmen, but have
emancipated themselves forever from the
letters which aggressive and organized in
iquity has been able so long to impose.
From The chaos into which We were
thrown by wicked men,a benifcent Prov
idence brought forth this young Common
wealth, and freed US from our ancient deg
relations. people redeemed. regenera-
ted and disenthraIled, with our priceless
heritage of liberty and law secured 10
posteritv, we, indeed, above all others,
owe thanks to the Great Ruler and Pre-
server who walked with us through the
valley of gloom and depression.
Nor should we be unmindlnl Of mate
rial blessings. In the year that is past,
unusual prosperity has attended The en-
lerprises and industries O. The people.
The earth has yielded bountifuL harvests,
and the oil Of her fairness abundanly. SO
far from the pesulence and famine usually
consequent upon war, unusual health and
plenty prevail; and all look forward with
pleasant anticipation 10 future OF rich
promise which shall veil in oblivion the
unhappy past. Confident, too, that a
people who have shown such Gorlitude in
the day OF tIisl, possess the virtue TO
maintain forever the noble results their
sacrifice and suffering have secured, and
acting in harmony with the recommended
ton of our honored Chief Magistrate,
!. Arthur |. Boreman, Governor of the
State of West Virginia, grateful to God, in
common with my fellow.cillzens, for His
signal merces, and in humble recognition
and ack edgement thereof, do appoint
and set apsr, Thursday, the seventh day
Of December, next. as day Of Thanks
giving and Praise TO Almighty God, to be
kept every where within the bounds of this
State. by such appropriate obSeFvances
as the grateful hearts of her people may
suggest. And | trust that in our rejoic-
ing we will not he uDmind[Ul OF such as
have hearts yet sore irom the great allie
ton OF their noble sacrifices for The coun.
try, and whose glsdness must needs be
tempered with sorrows, which il is our
duty as far as possible 10 assuage by time
ly remembrance Of the widows and or
phans and the disabled Of those TO whom,
as The immediate instruments of heaven,
our gratitude is directly due.
( ~o1 In testimony whereof, | have
( LIS. Ihereunto set my hand and csus-
wv &c the seal Of the Stale to be az
fxed,at The Capitol in the City of Wheel
ing, this 9TH day of November, in the
year OF our Lord. eighteen hundred and
slxty-fve, and of the State the third
ARTHUR |. FOREMAN.
BY the Governo:
GRANVILLE ID. HALL,