In her Thanksgiving blog post for Letters from an American, Heather Cox Richardson highlighted a 1862 Thanksgiving Proclamation by New York State Governor Edwin D. Morgan. It was issued during a dark period in the American Civil War. The competing armies were stalemated and many in the North were losing hope of a victory that would maintain national unity and end slavery. Two weeks earlier, the Battle of Antietam at Sharpsburg, Maryland on September 17, 1862, was the bloodiest day in American history. Over 20,000 men from both armies were dead, wounded, and missing. Lincoln remained committed to a compromise solution that would have preserved national unity and permitted the South to maintain its slave system, but when the South rejected the proposal, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.
At dark times it is good to remember the old English proverb: “It’s always darkest before the dawn.”
THANKSGIVING IN NEW-YORK
A Proclamation by Edwin D. Morgan, Governor of the State of New-York
From the depth of National affliction we come, with stricken hearts and chastened spirits, to own our dependence upon the Most High, and to render, with grateful sense, our thanksgivings for His mercies, countless in number and infinite in extent. A year fraught with the heaviest sorrow has yet, in the merciful plan of Providence, been distinguished by the most conspicuous blessings. Although it is numbered among the dark periods of history, and its sorrowful records are graven on many hearthstones, yet the precious blood shed in the cause of our country, will hallow and strengthen our love and our reverence for it and its institutions, while the bitter sorrows of the year will discipline us into humility. Whatever was passionate in the earlier period of the war has given way to a deep and subdued conviction of duty in defending the integrity of the Union. Reflection has made clear our obligations, and the issues of the momentous struggle present themselves in more definite form. Our National aims have been elevated, and our sacrifices have made us less selfish; our Government and institutions placed in jeopardy have brought us to a more just appreciation of their value. Looking beyond the wicked leaders, who have precipitated this great calamity of civil war upon us, we see that the people in arms against the Government possess the higher qualities of our national character, and though their minds have been perverted by passion and prejudice, yet on many occasions their prowess and devotion to their cause have been such as to win our respect. We are permitted to see that the war is developing the manhood of the nation; and when peace shall return, we have faith that the American Republic will be more powerful, the Government more permanent, the elements of society more perfectly blended, and the people more firmly united than ever.
We have other causes for gratitude. Disease has been averted at home, the unacclimated armies have been protected from pestilence which it was feared would follow them in distant latitudes. Earth's best fruits have been lavishly bestowed, the arts have prospered, the employments of peace have been rewarded, and the good order of society has been fully maintained. Reverses to our arms have been followed by successes on land and sea which specially call for thanksgiving, and justify the most sanguine expectations as to the final result of the contest.
That we may publicly signify deep thankfullness for these and countless other blessings of the past, and for the promise that His mercies endure forever; that we may fully acknowledge our dependence upon the Supreme Being, and hear anew from His specially chosen servants, that judgments follow those nations wherein his prerogatives are usurped, and who give not God the glory in all things; and that, in proper spirit, we may ask that victory shall attend our arms, health our armies, and prosperity our dwellings, that peace may be restored, and that we may have strength to meet the trials of the future, I do appoint THURSDAY. THE TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY Of NOVEMBER next as a day of Praise, Thanksgiving and Prayer to Almighty God; and I do recommend that, suspending all ordinary business and pursuits, the people of this State do meet together in their own chosen places of worship, and that the said day, throughout, be appropriately observed.
