The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1865-11-22
THANKSGIVING.
Proclamation by tho Governor.

The year that is drawing to close has been
one Of signal and bountlful mercicG. The
tempcs, of rebellion which darkcned and de-
vastated the land and left desolate thousands
Of 0uce happy homes, has passed away, aud
peace again blesses tho land with the sun
shine from her white wings. The grent arma-
mcnts, the lcgions of.armcd men, the thundrrs
of wars terrible enginery, aud the terror,
blood aud death Of four years stupcndous
conflict, exist only in tho past, and have left
scarcely q shadow 10 darken the smiling peace
which the present year has brought us. Nor
i. peace the only boon secured BY the dread
arbi,rament forced upon the country. Lasting
tranquility has been secured, because the
source Of all our disorders hos been destroyed,
md the great principles which underlic our
Government have been Vinlicated, strength.
cne,l and purified. Treason and usurpation,
which assailed good government and NATURAL
right, huve been overpowered and. disarmcdi
and the people Of the United States have not
only stricken off the shneklcs Of foui millions
Of bondmcn, hut have emancipa ted themselves
forever from the letters which aggressive and
organized iuiQu;ty has been able so long to
impose.
From the chaos into which We were thrown
by wicked men, a bcnetcent Providence
brought forth this young Commonwealth, and
freed us from our ancient dogrcdations. y
people redeemed, rcgeacrated and olsen
thrallcd, with our priceless heritage Of liberty
and law secured TO poStcrity, We, indeed,
above oil others, owe thanks TO the Great
Ruler and Preserycr who walked with US
through the valley Of gloom and depression.
Nor should We be unmindtul OF material
blessings. In tho year that is past, unusual
prosperity has attended the enterprises and
industries Of the people. The Garth has yielded
boun,iful harvestS, and the oil Of her fairness
abuntlautly. 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 pco.
plc who havo shown such forti;udc in the day
Of trial, possess the virtue TO maintain forever
the noble results their sacrifice and suffering
have secured, and netting in harmony with the
recommendation of our honorcd Chief MagiS-
trate,
| l. Arthur I. Foreman, Governor OF the
State Of West Virginia, grateful to God, in
common with my fcllow-citizcn', for His sig
nal mercics, and in humble recognition and
/ acknowledgment thereof, do appoint and set
apart Thursday, the seventh day OF December
next, US day Of Thanksgiving and Praise to
Almighty God, to be kept everywhere "ithin
the bounds Of this State, by such appropriate
ohscrvances as the grateful hearts OF our peo'
pie may suggest. And ,rus, that in our re-
ioicius we will not DO unmindful OF s sue! MS MS
have hearts ye, sore from the great ~ati'c.'on
! Of their noble, sacrifices for the country, and
whose gladncss must needs be tempered with
sorrows, which ii our duty ms far as possible
to assnagc by timely remembrance Of the
widows aud orphans and the disabled oil those
to whom. as the immediate instruments Of
heaven, our gratitude is directly due.
- In testimony whereof, have here.
unto set my lmnd and caused tho seal
|. La Vt the State to be affixed. att the Capt.
~ toll in the City Of Wheeling, ibis Itl
day of November, in the year Of our Lord
c:.htccn hundred and sixty five, and Of the
State the third.
-. '.. ARTHUR I. FOREMAN.
BY tho Governor: 80"
GnAxv,LLx D. HAIL, Sec'y Of tho State.