The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings
\nof fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so
\nconstantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they
\ncome, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that
\nthey cannot fail to penetrate and soften the heart which is habitually
\ninsensible to the everwatchful providence of almighty God.<\/p>\n
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has
\nsometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and provoke their aggressions,
\npeace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the
\nlaws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere,
\nexcept in the theater of military conflict; while that theater has been
\ngreatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.<\/p>\n
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful
\nindustry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or
\nthe ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines,
\nas well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more
\nabundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased,
\nnotwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the
\nbattlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented
\nstrength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large
\nincrease of freedom.<\/p>\n
No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these
\ngreat things. They are the gracious gifts of the most high God, who while
\ndealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.<\/p>\n
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently,
\nand gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole
\nAmerican people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of
\nthe United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are
\nsojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of
\nNovember next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father
\nwho dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that, while offering up
\nthe ascriptions justly due to him for such singular deliverances and
\nblessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness
\nand disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become
\nwidows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in
\nwhich we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of
\nthe almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it, as
\nsoon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of
\npeace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.<\/p>\n
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the
\nUnited Stated States to be affixed.<\/p>\n
PRESIDENT LINCOLN’S THANKSGIVING DAY PROCLAMATION, OCTOBER 3, 1863.<\/p>\n
Normally I would post Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation, but with all
\nthe turmoil economic and otherwise, war, and rumor of wars, I felt Lincoln’s
\nProclamation is more appropriate.<\/p>\n
So with that Happy Thanksgiving. Just because one is single and away from
\nhome is no excuse not to celebrate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, … Continue reading