American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-11-20
THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION,
CoMMoNwEALrH OF PESNsY1vAsr.

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA.
BY JOHN w. GEARY, GOVERNOR
From the creation of the world, in all
ages and climes, it has been customary
TO set apart certain days for special relig-
ious observances This has not ALWAYS
been influenced BY the light of Christian
knowledge, nor by any proper conception
OF the character of that Great Being "gho
ruleth the earth in righteous ness" and
"who daily loadeth with his benefit -
but by an innate sense Of tie existence
OF an over-ruling Power, by which the
world and all it contains are governed
and controlled. Aided by the cultivated
reason, aRa the teaching of Divine revel.
alton, we, however are taught to recog-
nlze In that Supreme Ruler Heavenly
Father, to whom we are indebted for
existence and all the blessings we enjoy,
and to whom we owe constant and fer.
vent thanksgiving and praise. 1t she who
"Vislteth the earth and watereth it :" who
"setteth the furrows and blesseth the
springlngs thereof" who "crowueth the
earth with his goodness, and whose paths
drop fatness )" who 'cIotheth the pastures
with tiocks, and covereth the valleys with
corn who 'maketh the out-g pings of the
morning to rejoice" who SIS our refuge
and strength y who maketh wars to
cease, ana ''saveth us from our enemies:"
whose throne is for ever and ever" and
who "blesseth the nations whose God is
the Lord"
On all sides we have increased assu>
rance Of the glowing kindness" of an All,
wise Parent of Good, who has conducted
our nation through long and terrible
war, and permitted our people to repose
once more in saftey, without any to modest
them or to make them afraid" The mon.
strous sentiment of disuuon is no longer
tolerated. The Flag of the Union, and
the Constitution are esteemed as the safe
guards of the rights and liberties of the
people, and are revered and defended as
the ark of their political safety.
A kind Providence has not grown
weary of supporting our continuous wants.
A bounteous harvest has rewarded the
labors Of the husbandman. Flocks and
herds are scattered in countless numbers
over our valleys aud hills. Commerce
is uninterrupted, and vessels laden with
the products of nature and of art, speed
unmolested, over the trackless deeps.-
Neither pestilence, famine, political or
social evils, financial embarassme nts or
commercial distress have been permit ted
to stay the progress and happiness of the
people of this great Commonwealth but
peace, health, educa tion, morality, relig-
ion, social improvement and refinement
with their attendant blessings, have filed
the cup Of enjoyment and comfort to over
flowing
Recognizing our re sponsiblity to Him
who controls the destiny, of nations as
well as individuals, and "from whom
cometh every good aud perfect gift" and
to whom we are deeply indebted for all
these and the richer blessings of our
common Christianity, let us unitedly
give our most devoted gratitude and
hearty thanksgiving.
L, therefore recommend that Thursday
the 2Sth day of November next, be set
apart as day of praise and thanksgiv-
ing, that all secular and worldly business
be suspended, and the people assembled
in their various places Of worship to ac.
knowledge their gratitude, and offer up
prayers for continuance of Divine fa>
vor.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal
of the State, at Harrisburg, this thir-
tyNfirst day of October, in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and sixty-seven, and of the Common.
wealth the ninety>second.
JNO. w. GEARY.
BY the Governor
ID. JORDAN Secretary of State