[Footnote 30: See p. 174.]



BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

A PROCLAMATION.

The approaching November brings to mind the custom of our ancestors,
hallowed by time and rooted in our most sacred traditions, of giving
thanks to Almighty God for all the blessings He has vouchsafed to us
during the year.

Few years in our history have afforded such cause for thanksgiving as
this. We have been blessed by abundant harvests; our trade and commerce
have wonderfully increased; our public credit has been improved and
strengthened; all sections of our common country have been brought
together and knitted into closer bonds of national purpose and unity.

The skies have been for a time darkened by the cloud of war, but as we
were compelled to take up the sword in the cause of humanity we are
permitted to rejoice that the conflict has been of brief duration and
the losses we have had to mourn, though grievous and important, have
been so few, considering the great results accomplished, as to inspire
us with gratitude and praise to the Lord of Hosts. We may laud and
magnify His holy name that the cessation of hostilities came so soon as
to spare both sides the countless sorrows and disasters that attend
protracted war.