Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation

Lincoln's papers in the Library of America series, Vol II, pp. 520-521. ^ | Washington, DC—October 3, 1863 | Abe Lincoln

[Vigilanteman]

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, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, 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 theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well as the iron and coal as of our precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness 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 imposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

[Vigilanteman]

I'm feeling a little blue this Thanksgiving morning because, for the first time, our table will be short my middle daughter. She goes to college in Idaho and will be spending the holiday with her boy friend's grandparents in the area.

I'm also feeling blue because, as in Lincoln's time, our nation is fighting for its very survival and George McClellan's Party has just won the mid-term elections.

[queenkathy]

Aw...Don't worry. Daughters always come back home!

We're down a couple of family members this year too, so take heart..

[ContraryMary]

I'm feeling a little blue this Thanksgiving morning because, for the first time, our table will be short my middle daughter. She goes to college in Idaho and will be spending the holiday with her boy friend's grandparents in the area.

My daughter is now a junior in high school, and while I am so proud of the lovely and independent young woman she is becoming, I, too, am a little saddened at the thought that soon there will be a time when she will be living on her own and might not be with us for the holidays. They do grow up so fast.

[IronJack]

I don't know if you have Scheel's Sporting Goods in your area, but this proclamation was published in a full-page ad sponsored by Scheel's in our local paper. Christian, unabashedly humble, and truly grateful, it expresses a wealth of sentiments that are as un-PC as possible in today's world. Yet Scheel's had the conviction to show the world its beliefs and sign their names proudly.

With due regard to President Lincoln, I urge anyone who can to show their support to Scheel's for this statement of corporate and civic purpose.

[queenkathy]

When they do come back, they bring more with them.

We had 4 kids and now 4 in laws and 11 g/kids later, our quiver is full!

[flynmudd]

I'm with you sir. My son is deployed and this is our first Thanksgiving without him and it's hard. But I will give God thanks for keeping him safe and the rest of our troops all over the world on this day.

[Obie Wan]

Cheer up, the apex of Mr. Lincolns speech points out that even when man does his best to mess up Gods always there willing to pick up the pieces if we're willing to ask and trust. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone at Free Republic !!!

[wizr]

We had 4 kids and now 4 in laws and 11 g/kids later, our quiver is full!

Ah, there's always room for one more, especially grandbabies. My one and only granddaughter IS my heart. Of course, I was the youngest of 8, and was "uncle" when I was born.

[Vigilanteman]

I grew up in Fargo, North Dakota which had several Scheel's stores. They are a class act. My best friend had an elderly father who needed a little extra income and something to occupy his time, Scheel's did both and he was almost as proud of his job as he was of his family.

[motife]

I'm reading "Team of Rivals" about the political life of Lincoln and the members of his cabinet, William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, Edwin M. Stanton, and Edward Bates. It's a very long book, I'm not even half through, and they just got to the part where Lincoln shocked the Republican party by winning the 1860 nomination in Chicago. Seward, Sen. from N.Y. was on the far left of the party as far as slavery, as was Chase Gov. of Ohio, and Bates was on the far right having inherited the "know nothing" vote of anti-immigrant forces and the more conservative Whigs after the breakup of the Whig Party. Lincoln basically united the anti-Seward factions into a bloc after the first ballot.

Then the Democratic Party fractured at its convention in Charleston as the Southern states walked out when it looked like Stephen Douglas would get the nomination, breaking into 3 factions. There were really 2 elections, Lincoln vs. Douglas in the Free States and Breckenridge vs. Bell in the South.

Lincoln still had to win almost every Northern state to become President, 152 votes, or the election would have been thrown into the House of Representatives, where his chances would have been doubtful.

btw, both Seward and Chase were particularly courageous in their promotion of freedom, full citizenship, and full civil rights for blacks before the war. Their stories are quite inspiring.

Lincoln by Matthew Brady, February 1860

William H. Seward, N.Y. Senator

Salmon P. Chase, governor Ohio

Edward Bates, Missouri politician, backed by Horace Greeley

Edwin M. Stanton, prominent lawyer from Ohio

[raj bhatia]

One of the best books this year. I highly recommend it.

[IronJack]

It sounds like a good company to get behind. A lot of FReepers are outdoorsmen, so if you're looking for gear, I'd recommend you start at Scheel's.

[La Enchiladita]

Thank you for posting, Vigilanteman. I heard this read on Dennis Prager's wonderful Thanksgiving program this morning.

[M. Espinola]

Thank you for posting President Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation.

[Flash Bazbeaux]

"it expresses a wealth of sentiments that are as un-PC as possible in today's world. "

No kidding. In addition to the general deference to an all-knowing God which is the basic theme of the proclamation, it praises deforestation, mining, and population increase.