The Somerset reporter., 1902-11-13
A NATIONAL THANKSGIVING.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES
A PROCLAMATION.

The year that is drawing toward its
close has been filled with blessings OF
fruitful fields and healthful skies. To
these hounties which are so constantly
enjoyed that we are prone to forget the
source from which they come, others
have been added which are of so ex-
traordinary nature that they cannot
fail to pentrate and soften even the
heart which is habltually insensible to
the ever watchful Providence of Al
mighty God. In>the midst of civil war
of unequalled magnitude and severity,
which has sometimes seemed to invite
and provoke the aggression of foreign
states, peace has been preserved with all
nations, order has been maintained, the
laws have been respected and obeyed,
and harmony has prevailed everywhere,
except in the theatre of military conflict,
while the theatre has been greatly con-
tracted by the advancing armies and
navies of the Union. The needful
diversion of wealth and strength from
the fields of peaceful industry TO the
National defence have not arrested the
pillow, the shuttle or the ship. The axe
has enlarged the borders of our settle
ments, and the mines, as well OF iron
and coal as Of the precious metals, have
yielded even more abundantly than
heretofore.
Population his steadily increased
notwithstanding the waste that has been
made by the camp, the siege and the
battle field, and the country, rejoicing 10
the consciousness of augmented strength
and vigor, is permitted to expect con-
tinuance of years with large increase of
freedom.
No human council hath devised, nor
hath any mortal hand worked on these
great things. They are the gracious
gifts of God, who, while dealing with US
in anger for our sins, hath vertheless
remembered mercy. 1t has seemed to
me fit that they should be soemnly,
reverentially,and gratefully acknowledge
ed as with one heart and one voice by
the whole American people.
| do therefore, invite my fellow
citizens In every part of the United
States, and also those who are at sea,
and those who are sojourneylng in
foreign lands, to set apart the last
Thursday Of November next, as day of
Thanksgiving and prayer to our bene-
flcent Father, who dwelleth In the
heavens, and | recommend too, that
while offering up the Inscriptions ju( b
due to Him for such singular deliver
ances and blessings, they do also with
humble penitence for our national per-
verseness and disobedience, commend to
His tender care all those who have
become widows, orphans, mourners or
sufferers, In the lamentable civil strife, in
which We are unavoidably engaged, and
fervently implore the interposition of
the Almighty hand to heal the wounds
OF the nation, and to restore it, as soon
as may be consistent with Divine pur
pose, to the full enjoyment of peace,
harmony, tranquility and union.
In testimony whereof, have hereunto
set my hand and caused the seal of the
United States to be affixed. Done at
the city of Washington, this third day of
October In the year of our Lord, One
Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty
Three, and of the independence OF the
United States the Eighty Eighth.
A. LINCOLN, President.
William H. Stewart, Sec. of State.