« Happy Birthday! | Home | A College Republican account of an Obama speech »
Happy Thanksgiving!
By cr nation | November 22, 2007
Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving on this day in 1863:
The year that is drawing towards 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 cannot 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 unequalled 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 theatre of military conflict; while that theatre 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 defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the 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 battle-field; 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 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 at sea and those who are sojourning 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 interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
There is so much to be thankful for on this day. Look around the table during dinner today, and be thankful for every loving member of your family. Cycle through your phone’s address book, and be thankful for every wonderful friend. Pause sometime today, and be thankful for the country that we live in, the freedom that we enjoy, and the brave men and women who continue to protect us.
God has blessed America. God has blessed me as well. I am thankful today.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Topics: CR Nation |
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:44 am
Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!!
November 22nd, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow colleagues-PJB
November 23rd, 2007 at 12:14 am
Happy Thanksgiving, guys!
November 24th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
were you guys kicked off facebook again?
November 25th, 2007 at 12:14 am
Anonymous,
As far as we know what have been kicked off facebook once again. And unlike last time, it now seems that they are purposefully choosing not to give us a reason. As it now stands they have failed to respond to several inquiries. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes. From now on, if you wish to contact one of the CR Nation writers please do so via email.
Thanks!
November 25th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Did everyone get David Brewster’s Thanksgiving wishes? Whattaguy
November 25th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Maybe it’ll be featured in the Monday morning memo
haha