The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-23
DY THE GOVERNOR OF w. VA.
1ll1

The year that is drawing to close has been
one of signal and bountiful mereics. The tenn
pest of rebellion which darkcned and dcvasta-
ted the hand, and left desolate thousands OF
once happy homes has passed away and peace
again blesses the land with the sunshine from
her white wings. The great armaments. the
legons of armed men, the thunders of wars
terrific enginery, and the terror, blood and
death OF four years stupendous conflict, exist
only in the past and have left scarcely sha-
dow to darl1en the smiling peace which the
present year has brought US. Nor is peace the
only boon secured by the dread arbitrament
forced upon the country Lasting tranquility
has been secured because the source of all our
principles which underlic Government
have been vindicated, strengthened and puri-
fed Treason and usurpation, which assaulted
good government and natural right, have been
the United States have not only stricken off
the shaeles Of four millions of bondmen, but
have emancipated themselves forever 'front.' the
fetters which aggressive and organized iniquity
| has been able so long to impose.
From the chaos into which We were thrown
by wicked men, a benificent Providence brot
| forth this young Commonwealth, and freed us
from our ancient degradations. A people re-
deemed, regenerated and disenthralled, with
our priceless heritage Of liberty and law seeur-
| ed to posterity. indeed above all others,
| owe thanks to the Great Ruler and Preseryer
who walked with through the valley OF.
gloom and depression.
Nor should we be unmindful Of material
blessings. In the year that is past, unusual
prosperity has attended the enterprises and in
dustries Of the people The earth has yielded
bountiful haryests, and the oil of her fairness
abundantly. SO far from the pestilencc and
| famine usually consequent upon war, unusual
health and plenty prevail; and all look for
ward with pleasant anticipation to future
of rich promise which shall veil in oblivion
the unhappy past. Confident, too, that peo
pie who have shown such fortitude in the day
of trial, possess the virtue to maintain forever
the noble results their sacrifice and suffering
have secured, and acting in harmony with the
recommendation Of our honored Chief Magis-
trate,
l, Arthur l. Boreman, Governor Of the State
Of West Virginia, grateful to God in common
| with my fellow -citizens, for His signal mercies,
| and in humble recognition and ACKNOWLEDGMENT
| thereof, do appointan set apart Thursday the
| seventh day of December next as day OF
Thanksgiving and Praise to Almighty God, to
| be kept everywhere within the bounds of this
| State, by such appropriate observances as the
grateful hearts of her people may suggest
And trust that in our rejoicing we will not
| be unmindful Of such as have hearts yet
from the great atflietion of their noble sacrifices
| for the country, and whose gadness must needs
be tempered with sorrows, which it is our duty
| as far as possible to assuage by timely remem-
brance OF the widows and orphans and the dis
abled of those to whom, as the immediate in
strumcnts of heaven, our gratitude is directly
due.
- In testimony whereof, l have here
unto set my hand and caused the seal
L. =. of the State to be affixed, at the Cap-
- tol in the city of Wheeling, this It'll
| day Of November, in the year of our Lord.
eighteen hundred and sixty-fve, and Of the
! State the third.
ARTHUR l. FOREMAN
| BY the Governor:
GRANVILLE d. HALL,
Secretary Of the State.
Nov. Is, 1s65-3t-1o
| s-a- West Virginia papers copy three times,
| and charge Executive Department.