Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1865-11-23
By The Governor Of West Virginia
a PROCLAMATION.

HvHE year Dat Is drewing 70 a close M been Nm.
l 6 signs md boxnSiful mercics> The temp..s
Of rebellion which dzTkened and devastated the
land and left desolate thousands Of once hapnv
homes, has passed away and peace again bless.
csthe land with sunshine from her white winex
Ihegrcat armaments, the legions OF armed men
the thundefs Of wars terrific enginery, and the
terror, blood and death Of four years stupendou,
conflict, cxist only in the past and have LEFT
scarcely shadow to darken the smiling pe,r,
which the present year has brought us. Nor
is peace the only boon secured by the dread Ar.
bitrament forced upon the country. Lasting
tranquility has been secured, because the sourco
Of all orr disorders has been DESTROYED. and IN.
great principles which underlie our Government
have been indicated, strengthened and purified
Treason and usurpation, which assailed good
government and natural right, have been over
powered and disarmed and the people of tho
United States have not only stricken or the
shackles Of four millions of bondmen, but bay,
emancipated themselves forever from the fette.
which aggressive and organized iniquity has
been able so long to impose.
From the chaos into which we were thrown
bywicked men, beni6cent Providence brought
forth this young Commonwealth, and freed us
from our ancient degredations. people re-
deemed, regenerated and disenthralled, with cur
priceless heritage Of liberty and law secured to
posterity, we, indeed, above all others, owe
thanks to the Great Ruler and Prescrver who
walked with us 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
dustrics Of the people. The earth has yielded
bountiful harvests, and the oil Of her fatness
abundantly. SO far from the pestilence and
famine usually consequent upon war, unusual
health and plenty prevail; and all look for
ward with pleasant anticipation to q future Of
rich promise which shall veil in oblivion the
unhappy past. Con6deat, too, that q people
who have shown such fortitude in the day of
trial, possess the virtue to maintain forever the
noble results their sacrifice and sufferings have
secured and acting in harmony with the ne
concentration OF our honorcd Chief Magistrate,
/, Arthur |. Foreman, Governor Of the Stats
Of West Virginia, grateful to God, in common
with my fellow citizens, for His signal mercies,
and in humble recognition and acknowledge
ment thereof, do appoint and set apart Thurs
day, the seventh day Of December, next, a.
uss vi iunhhsSisiiS anu raise W Aiiniknty
God, to be kept everywhere within the bounds
Of this State, by such appropriate observancss
as the greatful hearts Of her people may sug-
gcst And trust in our rejoicing we will nos
be unmindful Of such as have hearts yet sore
from the great affiicton of their noble sacrifices
for the country, and whose gladness must
needs be tempered with SORROWS, which it isour
duty as far as psssibleto asstage, by timely
remembrance of the widows and orphans aud
the disabled Of those to whom, as the immedi-
ate instruments Of Heaven, our gratitude is d.
rectly due.
49, In testimony whereof, I have here
( LIS. unto set my hand and caused the seal
IT, Of the State to be affixed, at the Cap
itol, in the City Of Wheeling, this It'll day Of
November, in the year Of our Lord eighteen
hundred and sixty-fivc, and Of the State the
third.
..ftala ARTHUR ]. FOREMAN.
By the Governor:
GRANVILLE ID. HALL,
Secretary Of the State.
Nov. "a 'G5-2t.