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McCROM & BERN,
\'OL. 8.
THE ALTOONA TRIBUNE.
t. II McOHUM*
.ililtUM AND PEOPEI KT‘*k->
ivr annum, (pnjrxhle innirinbly in •£*»««,).. L- $1 60
111 paper* diiwonMnoe.l nt thfc expiration of the time
(art ‘ ■ • ■ I ! ’
TB&JCft OP ADVERVIMNO
X 2«Io. lido,
font s** 1ew..,., 26 $ I .% 50
Square-(8 line*) ;,.l. fbv 76 , 1 00
Two > - . <l6 .” ) 1 00 I 50 - .2 00.
Tm-*** ** (24 - t 1 50 2 0U ,2 60
over throe weeks wnd less than three mouths. 26 cents
~ r *qo*re fcr each insertion.
I: & months. 6 months, i I year.
- —I S) S 3 00 $ 5 00
... 2 60 4 00 ; i 7 00
.. 4 00 6 00 I 10 00
6 00 8 00 12 00
6 10 00 14 00
-i\ lioesor lew.
(>u>t square .......
Tbri** •*-
11. If a column
.in- column •va.i.-, 14 00 26 00 | 40 00
v.ltuimBtratora«iul K&eutoa Notices L 1 75
M. rchiuite adfertl*lß|; fcy the yeftr.three squaree,
with liberty to L. 10 00
PiiilVaiionftlor Botioen Curts. not exceeding 8 lines
ith paper, pei* j, 5 00
Communications of apolitical character or Individual
interest, will be charged according to the above raitas.
VflfertisesDeotsmot marked with the number of inser
u'*ih desired* will be continued till forbid and charged
..Nordiußtothe
Business notices per line for every insertion.
Obituary notice* exceeding ten lines, fifty cents a square
ilwicf Watty.
5 CHRISTMAS-EVE.
Vl» fbHowiiig verses written lor the Typoffmphic Adrtr
■■« r, Phlindwlpliin. by a true women, simple, touching,
.oid teeming with molben-hm-, comes to the editor of that
Mj»jn*r from Moeroe, Michigan :
l i« (Jhriatnms-eve! the tireless clock is tolling the hours
nwuy. i i i
'"•I household all tire sleeping, dreaming of Christ-
mas-day. !
M t countless-varying dn ticsnre finish'd one by onej
still, there’s; always something left—my work ft never
So I sit down by the cradle, my little one to lock,
tml while I Sing a lullaby. I knit Cut him a sock.
1 ve tilted some little.stockings with candy am).with toys.
*hung them by the chimney-place. to please my darling
boys. ,
n.ere sleepingsweetiy-in their cribs. I’ve tucked Un
clothes in tight, i •
I re heard them say their evening prayer, and kiss'd
them both gocsbnight,
I know, that ere the daylight shall through the cijrtain
|WWJJ.
rheir Merry Christmas wishes will wake me from my
sleep. : ,
f.w many, tunny thoughts to-night, and they are sad to
)'»vostockingsonly hang, Uiis yoai, where three were
won't to be
1 hi tears are Billing thickly as I think of the day
u hen i la’d that little stocking forevermore away
1 r the Happy one that hung if there hut on** ■jhord v*-f»r
ago , .v
In yonder graveyard quietly sleepeth ’neath the HIK<V
JL.w many little stocking*. th*t on Uwt ClirMmaa day
u t-re fill’d by darling little have aiiice be**u put
away! .
H'.K many smiling fecea, that to our nuiisery door
t wiggling **Merry Christmas." will come again no
more! ■ '
Tlieir waxen hpiids are folded upon each quiet breast.
Ami tlie Shepherd Sod hat gather'd thus* little lambs to
rest. | i
Hue many ple|a«nt vislohs, and, oh what sad ones too.
With each sucohediagCbristmas-eve come vividly to view |
. I ■e>e again my obildhdud’k home, and every loved o ue’s
face;
ihe dockings hinging, as of yore, around the chinjney
place,.
i'rom the wee red one of baby’s to grandpa’s sock of gray—
fech in ita own accustomed place, not even one away.
Hot the pleasant vision passes,.and onie of darker shade
K Areals how many change* each Christmas -eve has made;
lor those whose stockings hnng there se closely sidh bv
*WO, i i " - ' *
i n happy days of childhood, are scatter’d far and wide I
A few still linger here to see this Christmaa-eve paas-by,
Hut many, many men* to-night with the churchyard! lie ■
The baby*, sdejis flnfah’d-’tis sprinkled o’er with tiars;
' v,lMe wilt bis tiny footsteps wonder In future years!
(‘.■rhaps this innocent wltt, live to see, as I havo done,
the of childhood steal onward one by one ;
mu, whether a life of sorrow, or whether a life of Joyj ‘
I feel.thiii.it can:trustwith Ood my much-lored baby-boy.
The clock has struck the ibeur of twelve! I’ve put 1 the
frock awa.f,
And by the baby**cradje 1 now knee) down to pray—i
i>>a*ktbqt loving Saviour who on Christmas morn cWiu
given • v . . !
T.. save oar xoalit froai stb and death, and fit n« »)j fir
. Heajeu,• ;
I‘Uat Ue out fill us witb| his
love,
! ~i' t we ,ua y »ing together a Chrbtuua hyoiin above.
flatwaal JWfairs.
Tile President’s Message;
. i ■'. w AHHiSOTON,-£)ec. 9, 1863.
FeUow-d&tais vf the. Senate and House, oj Ilejt
rfsenUftxeejt .-—Another year of health, and of suffi
ciently abundant harvests, bos' passed. For these,
andeapedally for the Improved condition of bar
X a nopal affairs, «nr renewal and profound grati
tude to God is dpe. We remain in peace end,
friendship with foreign powers. , '
The efforts of disloyal citizens of the United i
■'tatas, to involve ns in foreign wars, to aid injin- j
cxcnfobte insurrection, have been; unavailing.—
llerßritanic Majesty's Government, as was justly i
expected, lutvefexercised their authority to prevent ;
she departure ; of new hostile expeditions ffomi
British ports. |The- Emperor of France' has, by a
like proceedingj pfomptly vindicated the neutrality i
which heproc (aimed at the beginning of the con- j
test •• ■ ■ ■■■■'■! '
Questions of great intricacy anti importance
liave arisen out-of the blockade, and other bellig
crent operations between the Government and
several of the maritime powers; >bnt they h»?e
,ieen discussed, and as &r as how possible, accom-'
modated in a spirit of frankness, justice and ihu
tual good will. ; .. T
It h specially gratifying tliat our prize courts,
).v the nnpartiality of their adjudication, have
commanded the respect and confidence ofmaritime
powers. . ! ■ '. ;
rOKKIOS TEEATIEB. ’ I
_ Ihe supplemental treaty between the Unitled
elates and Great Britain for the suppression" of the
African Slave Trade, made on the 17th day'of
tebrnaiy last, has been duly ratifiediand earned
Wo execution.' Itisbelieved that so, far as
American ports and American citizens are edn
‘"bt inhuman and other odious traffic has
**« bronghtto an end.;
I
H. C. DEKX.
a 66 * ,
10 60 14 00 120 00
in conformity with the pnuciplcs set I'ortb in niv
last jimuuil message, 1 have received a representa
>ve from the United States of Columbia, ami have
accredited a minister to that Jiepublic.
THH BIGHTS OP POUEIGNEBS AND CITIZENS AflROAn.
Incidents occurring in the prognas of oar civil
war have forged upon my attention the uncertain
state of international questions touching the rights
of foreigners.in this country, and of United States
eilizotts abroad, in regard'to some governments'
These, rights are at least partially defined by treaties.
In some instances, however, it is expressly stipu
lated (hat in the event of civil war a foreigner re
siding; in this country;within the lines of the in
surgents is to be exempted from the rule which
classes him| as a belligerent, in -whole behalf the
government of his countty cannot expect am
privileges dr immunities distinct from that charac’-
ler. I regret to say, however, that such claims
have been put forward, and itr soiue instances in
bchalfjof foreigners who have lived in the Unitcu
Statesn greater part of their lives. Then- is reason
to lielteve that many persons born in! foreign coun
tries, wlio haVe declared their: intention to In-come
citizens, or who have been fully naturalized, have
evaded the militant duty required of them by deny
ing the fact, and thereby throwing ntsm the gov
ernment the burden of proof.
It his been found difficult, or impracticable u.
obtain this proof for the want Of guides to the
proper j sources of intjwmation. These might lie
I supplied by requiring the clerks of courts where
declarations of intention may be made, or natural
izations effected, to send periodically a list of the
names of the persons naturalized or declaring their
intention to become citizens, to the Secretary of
the Inferior, in whose department these names
might be arranged and printed for general infor
mation! 1 There is also reason to believe that
foreigners frequently become citizens of the United
States for the sole purpose of evading duties im
posed py the laws of their native countries to
which, pn becoming natnralized here, they at once
repair, and though never returning to the United
States they still claim the interposition of this gov
emtnent as citizens. Many altercations of great
prejudice have heretofore arisen out of that abuse.
It is,, therefore, submitted to your serious consider
!lV?n; I might be advisable to fix a limit bevond
which po citizen of the United States residing abroad
t™, the .. intcr P psition of-his government.
Ihe nght. of suffrage bus often been assumed
and exercised by aliens, under pretences of natural-
which they have disavowed when drafted
into the military service. I submit the expediency
of such | an amendment of the law as will make the
fact pf Voting an estoppel against any plea of ex
emption from military service or other civil obli
gation an the ground of alienage. ‘
' the birncut.TiEs with japan.
In common witlrour Western Powers, our rela
tions with Japan have been brought into serious
jeopahlV through the perverse opposition of the
hereditary aristocracy Of the empire to the en
lightened and liberal policy of the Tycoon, designed
to bring the country into the society of nations.—
It. is hoped, although not with entire confidence,
that these difficulties may be peacefully overcome.
I ask .your attention to the claim of the minister
residing there for the damages he sustained in the 1
destruction by fire, of the residence of the Lega
tion at Yeddo.
AS IXTKRNATIONAL TKUvOItAPII.
Satisfactory arrangements have been made with
the Emperor of Buasia, wbieh.it is believed will
result in effecting a continuous line of telegraph
through that Empire from ourjEacific coast. I
recotnipend ho your favorable consideration the
subject Of an inteinatiqmd telegraph across tbe
Atlantic Ocean, and also.a telegraph between the
Capital; and the National forts along foe Atlantic
seaboard and Gulf of Mexico. .Such comtnynica
tiops, established reasonable out lav; would
be an economical as well as eflbctive aid in the
diplomatic, military and naval service.^
i THE CONSUI.AB SYSTEM.
j The consular system of the United States, uhder
I the'enactment of the last Congress, liegins to be
i self-saflaining, and there is reason to hope tliat it
| may bdtkinie entirely so with an j increase of trade,
j which Will ensue whenever pence) is restored.
I Our ministers abroad have been faithfully de
fending American rights, in protecting commercial
j interests Our consols have necessarily had to
encounter increased labors and responsibilities
! growing out of the war. These they have, for the
I most part, met and discharged with zeal and
[ efficiency. This acknowledgment justly 1 includes
those consuls who, residing in Morocco, Egypt,
Japan, China and other Oriental countries,
are chatged with complex functions and .extraofdi
nary powers. ' * i :
The qondition of the sevehol-' organized Terri
tories ifi generally satisfactory, although Indian
disturbances in Sew Mexico iiave not been entirely
suppressed. The mineral resources of Colorado, |
Nevada, Idahoe.Ncw Mexico and Arizona are •
prorinffJkr richer tfiitthas tieen heretofore under-
stood, 1 lay before yon a communication on this
subject ffcoro tbp Governor of New Mexico.
EXCOVBAOEMKXT OF WJREIOM KMIOUATtON.
I agaip jiubmii to yonr coosideratfain expedi-
J shall submit, for the consideration of the Sen
«ie, a convention for the adjustment of possession
claims ini Washington Territory, arising Out of the
treaty of the 16th of June, 1804, between the
U luted Stales and Great Britain, and which have
bben the sotfree of disquiet among the citizens of
that now rapidly improving part of the country.
A novel and important question involving theex
teut of the mao'tune-jurisdiction of Spaip on the
waters which surround the Island of Cuba, has
hepp debated without reaching an agreement, and
11 *f proposed - in an amicable spirit to refer it to '
the arbitrament of a friendly power. A convention
for that purpose will he submitted tp the Senate
I: have thought it proper, subjectito the approval
pt the Senate, to concur with the interested com
:mei|ciul powers in an arrangement for the liquida
tion of the Scheldt dues upon the principles whicli
liavp been heretofore adopted in regard to the im
post upon navigation in the paters of Denmark
OPR UIFf-IOPUTIES WITH CHILI.
Tlie long pending controversy between this Gov
ernment and, that of Chili, touching the .seizure of
Sitania, in Pern, by Chilian officers of a large
amount jn treasure belonging to citizens of the
Cnttol states, has been brought to a close by the
awaid of his Majesty, the King of the Belgians, to
whose arbitration the question was referred bv the
parties.- The subject was thoroughly and patienth
examined by that justly respected magistrate, anil
although the sum awarded to the claimants roav
not have been as large as they expmed, there in
no reason to distrust the wisdom of his Majesty’s
decision. That decision was promptly complied
with by Chili when intelligence in regard to it
reached that countiy.
The joint commission, under the act of the last,
session, for carrying into effect the convention with
Peru on the subject of claims, has been organized
at Lima, and is engaged in the business -intrusted
to if.:
Difficulties concerning the inter-oceanic transit
hrough Nicarauga, are in course of amicable ad
ustrnent.
ALTOONA, PA., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1860
encyof establishing a ivsTciu for the encourage
ment of emigration. ; Although this source ol ra
tional wealth and strength is again flowing with
greatei freedom than for several years before the
insurrection in curred, there is st'ill a gn at defi
ciency pf laWrs in every field of ■ industry,
especially in agricultural and in our mines, as well
inf iron and coal as ol the precious metals. While
the demand for labor is.thus increased here, tens
of thousands ot persons idestitute of remunerative
occupation, are thronging onv foreign consulates
and offering to emigrate to the United .States, if
essential but vc jy cheap assistance can be afforded
them. It is easy to sec that timlcr the sharp dis
cipline ot civil war, the nation is beginning a new
life. Honorable effort demands the aid and ought
to receive the ate ntion and support of the gowni
ment.
Injuries, unfta-seeu by the government and un
intended, may in some cases have been inflicted
upon sul.jects or citizens of foreign countries, both
Bt .‘'"d 011 laud, by persons in the service of
the united State.-. As the Government exitcots
redress from other powers when similar injuries
are inflicted by [tersonsin their service upon citizens
of the United States, we .must be prepared to do
justice to foreigners If the existing judicial tri
bunals are inad.quate to* this putqiose, a special
court may be amhorized with jxiwcr n> hear an I
decide such claims of the character refcired to a
mav have arisen under treaties and the jutblie law.
Conventions for adjusting the claims of joint com
missions, have liei-n prpjioscd to some governments,
hut no definite answer to the proposition lias vet
been received trout any. -
In the course of die session I shall prolmhlv hare
occasion to mpiest you- to provide indemnification
to claimants where decrees of restitution have been
rendered and damages awarded by Adinirahv
l-miMs, and in ..iher cases where this Government
may he acknowledged to.beliable in principle, and
Where the amount of tlmfliahiliiy has been ascer
tained by an informal arbitration.
The proper officers ot the Treasure have deemed
themselves required by the law of the Tinted .States
ujKin the subnet to demand a tax upon the in
comes bt foreign consuls, in this .couture. While
such a demand may not,-in strictness,,be in derro
pnition ot public iaw. or pcrini|)s of unv existim'
treaty between ii t c Tniitd Stales and a foreign
country, the exjiedietiey of solar modifying die
act as to exempt from tux; the incomes of inch con
suls as arc not citizens erf the I'nited States, de
rived from tin- cin.dnmeurs of their office, or from
projierty not situated in the Tinted State-, i- sub
mitted to yoin serious ''consideration. I make
this suggestion upon the ground that a country
which to he reciprocated exempts consuls jii
all.other countries from fixation, to the extent
thus indicated. The United States. I think, ought
not to he exceptionally 'illiberal to international
trade and coiiHjHTee,
CONDITION up TUK NATIONAL FINANCES.
The operations of the Treasury daring the last
year have been .-lauvs.-fnliy condncti-d. 'J'lie en
actment by Congress of a l 'National Banking Law.
has proved a valuable sujiport of the pnblie credit]
and the general legislation in relation to loans has
lolly answered the exjitctalion of jrs' favon-rs.
Some amendments may be nijiiined to perfect ex
isting laws. But no change on their principles
general scope is (relieved to bo needed
Since these ' measures have beet, in operation,
all demands on the Treasury, including the tiav of
the army and navy, have been promptly met and
fully satisfied. No considerable body of troops; it
is believed, were ever more amply provided and
more liberally and punctually paid' and it may bo
added, that by no people'were the burdens inci
dent to a great war liver; more cheerfully borne
The receipts during -the year from all sources, in
cluding loans and the balance in the Treasury at
its commencement, were §901,125,674 SO. and
the aggregate 'disbursements, §895,790.630, Co
leaving a balance o U the Ist of July, 1803 of
$0,329,044 21. Of.the. receipts, there were ’de
rived from customs .*60,050,643 40 ; from inter
nal revenue, §37.640.787 95; from direct tax
f!,485,103 61 : from lands, §167,617 17: from
miscellaneous sources, $3,046,615 35; and from
Imins, $776,682,361 57,1 making this aggregate
§901,125,674 86. Of the disbursements there
were ; i'or the civil service, §23,253,922 08 ■- for
pensions and Indians, §4,216,520 79, for interest
on public debt, §24,729,846 51 ; for the War De
partment, $599.298.60j0 83; for the Navy lie
pnrtment,.§63,2ll,los 37; lor payment of funded
and temporary debt, §181,086,635 07, making the
aggregate §895,796,630 65, and leaving the balance
of §0,329,044 21. But the payment of funded and
temporary debt having been made from moneys
borrowed during the year, nu;st be regarded ’as
merely nominal payments, and the moneys bor
rowed to, make them as merely nominal receipts.
Their amount, §181,086,635 07, should therefore
be deducted both from tlje receipts and disburse
ments. This being done, there remains as actual
receipts, $720,039,039 79, and the actual disburse
ments, §714,709,995 08, leaving the balance as
already stated.
... ../apartment may
Tin; actual receipts ami disbursements for the ’™ ome s df-sustniiiing in a tew years, even witii
first quarter, and the estimated receipts and dis- tn ? st . o " ltlon , of tllP service,
burseinents for the remaining three quarters of the <• *uc international conference of postal:delegates
current fiscal year, 1-864; will' he shown in detail • “""tries ofEurojw anti Auier
by the report of the .Secretary of the Treasury to S* wb,ch <:nl,ed nt lllL “ snggestidn of the
wlfich I invite your attention' ■’ I ostmaster General, met at Paris on Hie 11th of
It is sufficient to say here that it is not believed I Sll?of I ‘ ldui ? (:d . '| s flubberatio.is on the
that actual results will exhibit a state of the iimm !co femm ea ■ t estabhshed by the
ces less favorable to the country- than the I 5 best * u,a l ,uiJ >o ‘militate postal in
of that officer heretofore su^htSwh kitN Zf !
fidcmlv expected that at the close of the vLr hi i , ? s to maognrate a general system
disbursements and debt will be Hund nre-tv ° l !°1 1 olm 'Wemaltonal charges at reduced rates
siderably less than iZ > “‘'"tT ”***•
* * ; t relei you to the report of the Secretary of the
. uw ’ ours OF Tttu WAit OEI-AKTME.NT. ! Jnterior v which is herewith laid before voir for the
The,report of the Secretary of War is a docu- i I ,sel “ 1 " nJ v «ned information in relation: to public
mem of great interest.- It consists of 1 lands, Indian attairs; patents, pensions, and , other
First, The in Hilary operations qf the rear de- nm,tors ‘->f'public concern pertaining to hit Depart
tailed in-the report of the General-in-Chief. ; "* em - The quantity of lands disposed of during
Second, The organization of ‘colored r " e ):lst a " J tlle first quartet of the present fiscal
into the war service. .years, was 3,841,549aere5, of which 161,fi1l acres
Third, Ihe exchange of prisoners, fuliv set "ere sold for cash ; 1,406.614 acres were taken
forth in the letter of Gen. Hitchcock. * x up under the homestead htw, and the reifidiic dis-
Fourtli, The operations under the-VVct for En- J )osed . 01 ’ under laws granting lands for' military
rolling and Calling Out the National Forces ” ; lUICS ’ lor railroads, and other purtioses. It
detailed in the import of the Provost Marshal ! .-? ,s * n l , l' Cllr « that the sales of tlye puhlibj lands is
i tu-rgely bn the increase. It has long been a cher-
Fiflli, The organization of the Invalid Corps - ; ,°l jinio " of some of our wisest statesmen '
r , . i ie of the United Stuics had in higher
Sixth, The operations of the several’ Depart- , mo,e enduring interest in the early settlement
ments of, the Quartermaster General, Commissary , ’•‘.jktyntial cultivation of the public lands
General, Paymaster General, Chief of Engineers !. '? tlie amount of direct revenue to be derived
Chief of Ordnance, and Surgeon General. It has : lrom ®P so jb of them. This opinion hajs had a
appeared impossibleip make a valuable summary co [’. trod ' n S influence, shaping legislation: upon the
of this report, except such as would he 100 extender! ofottr national domain. I may c|te as an
for this place; and lienee I content myself bv ln^ ta ncc of this the liberal measures "adapted in
asking yopr careful attention to the report itself. " r ®‘ e t' encc to active settlers the grant to the Stales 1
extent amj power op tub navy of tends within thelf limitijin order
The duties devolving -on the naval branch of St
the berviee dm mg the yenb, and throughout the , uaie sections S’ land upon the comtmnnlntcd i;,?!
w h hole ° f contest, have been dis- of their road, when completed w,l largi fn ul ,lv
charged wjth fidelity and eminent success. The the facilities of reach, distant
extensive blockade has licen constantly increasing This policy has recited its most slirnJdlriit a „V
in efficiency ns the ni,vy has been expanded. Yet dent illustration in recent mLeuneL
on so long a lino, it bos so far been imgiossible to homesteads to actual settlers since the first div if
entirely suppress trade. From returns re- .fannaty Just, the n.Xon^ ’ “ffLfe £
Cel^': tl i e rawv V - V * -«*»« that 1,48**14 «£» of land,
moire than -1,000 vessels hhve been captured simp its provisions. This fact and lire amdimtlof sales!
[INDEPENDENT IN EVERYTHING.]
| ,l “‘ blockade was instituted, and that the value of
j prizes already sent fiir adjudication! amount- to
| over •■*ia.(KMt,ooo.
I Ihe navy force of the United Jitatc- consist, at
i tins time, of SSS ve—els, coinplctetl' and in i|, L .
, coarse of eoitiplction. and of these T.Aare ironehid
I “"""rod steamer-. Thu events of the war give
; an increased interest and importance! to the the
] navy which will probid.lv extend Is-viaid the war
itself.
, j Jhe armored vessels in onr Navy, completed
and ill s"iviee, ~r which are under eomrnei and
approaching completion, are liclivcd to exceed in
numlici those til' any other power..,' lint while
these may I*. relied ttj-.n for harbor defence and
coast. scTviec, others of greater strength anil capa
eov w;h he necessary for cruising.pu ; poscs and io
maintain onr rightful position on the t«ivan.
SKW NAVT TAIiDS KKCOAIMMSbKK.
ehnnge .that has taken place in naval ves
sels and naval warfare since the introduction of
steam as a motive |xover for ships of win-, demand*
cither a corresponding clutuge in some of our exis
ting Navy \ards, or the establishment of new ones
tor the construction and necessary repair of modern
naval vessel.-. No inconsiderable ciiilwrmssmem.
delay aifll. public injury have been experienced
tnen a wain of such governmental establishments.
Hie necessity of such a Navy Vard. so linished.
at some suitable place upon the Atlantic seaboard.’
has, upon rqieated occasions, been brought to the
attention of (’ongress by the Navy ])c|iartmc„t,
at.cl is again presented in the report of tbe Secre
tary. which accompanies this communication. I
think n my duly to invite your special.intention to
this subject, and also to that of establishing u vard
and dojior tor naval purposes. upon one of' ilu*
western rivers.
A naval force has been created on those interior
waters, and under many disadvantages, within
liitie inoie than two years, exceeding in numbers
llic whole naval force of the country at the com
mencement ut the present administration. Satis
factory and important us have beem the perfor
mances ol the heroic men of tile navv at this
interesting [icriod. they are scarce!v more 'wonderful
than the success of our mechanics and artizam in
the production of war vessels, which Inis created
a new form of naval power. Our country has
advantages snpjrior to am othe r nation in onr
resources of icon and iinihcr, with inexhaustible
ijnamilics ot fuel in the immediate vicinhv of boih,
and available and in close proximity to navigable
waicrs. Wiilmut the advantage of pnhlic work
tin- resource:, ol the nation have been governed'
developed, and its power displayed in the construc
tion ot a navy of-neli magnitude. which ha- a
ihe very period of its •creation, rendered sig„,;|
service to the I'tiion
i hI'FKCT OF JSOUNTIKS on THK NAVY.
*llie increase of the mmihor of seUinen in the
| public service, from 7.500 men in the spring of
j iMbl. to about 34,000 111 the present time
, been accomplished without special legislation, or
j extraordinary bounties to promote that increase
! It lias been found, however, that the opera! ion'»f
; the (iratt. with the high bounties paid f,, r armv
, recruits; is l-egimtmg to a««f injuriouslv the „av\
: service, and mil, if nor corrected, be likely to im
! pair its efficiency by detaching seamen from limit
' proper calling, and' inducing litem to cnt.i die
army. 1 therefore respectfully suggest that (;„„1
gross might aid liorh the army and naval services
by a definite provision on the'subject, which would
at rite same time be equitable to the communities
more esjieeially interested.
I commend to your consideration the suggestion
of the Secretary ol the Navy in regard to the policv
of fostering and training seamen, ami also :1m
education of officers and engineers for the naval
sen ice. The Naval .Academy is rendering signal
service in preparing midshipmen for the highly
responsible duties which, iu aftet life, they will be
required to perform. In order that the' country
should not bo deprived of the proper quota* of
educated officers, for which legal provision lias
been made at the naval school, tin; '.vacancies
caused the neglect or omission to make nomi
nations-'from the .States in insurrection, have been
filled by the Secretary of the Navy.' The school
m now more full and complete than at anv former
period, and in every recpcct entitled to the favor
able consideration of Congress.
During the past fiscal year the financial, condition
ot the Post Office Department has been one of in
creasing prosperity, and I am gratified in being
able to state that the accounts of postal revenue
lias nearly equalled the entire expenditure, the
latter amounting to $11,314,206 81 and the
former to $11,103,780 50, leaving a deficiency of
hut «100,417 2.5. In IsdO, the year immediately
preceding the rebellion, the deficiency amounted
to so, 656,705 40, the postal receipts of that year
being $2,645,722 10, less than those of 1863.
The decrease since 1860 in the annual amount of
Iransiiortatioii has been only about 25, per cent.,
but the animal ex|ienditnre on account of the same
has been reduced 35 |ier cent. It is manifest
therefore, that the Post Office De-
, furnish gratifying evideutg of the increasing sets
dement ii]K>n the public lands. Notwithstanding
in which the energies of the na,-
tion have been engaged, and which has required
so large a-withdrawal of our citizens from their
| accustomed ptirsuits, I cordially concur in the
; recommendation of the .Secretary of the Interior
1 suggesting a modification of the‘ act in favor of
those engaged in. the military and naval -scrvice of
I the United States, I doubt not that Congress will
; cheerfully adopt such measures as will, nwifhoiix
; essentially changing the general features of thq
swem, secure, to I he greatest practicable extent, its
| hem-lits m those wlio have left thtfir homes in d«-
! fem e (if the country in this arduous crisis.
; 1 invite your attention to the views of the
■ Secretary as to the propriety of raising, bv up.
[iroprintimi of legislation, a revenue from the
mineral hinds of the United States. The measures
provided tit votir last session for the removal of
certain Indian tribes have been carried into effect.
Sundry treaties have been negotiated, which wilt
m line tittle, lie submitted for the constitutional
action of the Senate. They contain stipulations
tor extinguishing the possessory rights of the In
dians to large ami valuable tracts of land. It is
hoped that the effect of these treaties will result
m the establishment of |s:rmancn» friendly rela
tion With such of these tribes as Imye been brought
into, frequent and bloody collisions'with our outs
lym t settleriieuls. and emigrants. Sound policy and
our iuij» ralive duty to these wards of the govern
ineiir demand our anxious and constant attention
io their material well-being, to their progress in
the arts ot civilization, and. above all, to that moral
truining which under blessings of Divine. IVovi- :
ilenet; will confer ii|-on them the elevated and
sanctifying infiuence of the lio,h> S and consolations
Mu.* Christian faith.
I suggested in my last animal message the nro
pnety of remodeling our Indian sv4em Suhse
(jiieut events have satisfied me of its necessity _
I he details set forth in the report of the Secretary,
Will evince the urgent need for immediate legisla
tive action I commend the benevolent institu
tions established or patronized by the Government
m this district, to your generous and fostering tare.
INTKUNAt. IMI’KOVKMENT.
1 lie attention of Congress, .luring the last session,
" C to some extent with a proposition tor.
j eubnghig the water communication between the
'V'T' 1 ' 1 " river ami tile Northeastern seaboard,
wlnrl, proposition, however, failed for ilie time
.Mure th. n. n|s:in a call of the greatest respccta
b'luy, a ' ynventmn lias been called at Chicago
ii]nm I he same subject, ti .summary of whose views
I> euiitanied m a memorial addressed to the I’rosi
d.m and Congress, ami which 1 now have the
liunor to lay More you'. That this interest is one'
winch err long will force its,own way, Ido no: en
tertain a donbi, while it is submitted entirely to
>Olll wisdom as to what can he done now. Aug
mented interest is given to this subject he the
actual commencement of work upon the Pacific
Kail road miller auspices so favorable to its rapid
progress and completion. Enlarged navigation
Is-eonies a palpable need to this great road.
1 n aiisinit the second annual report of the Com-.
missionerot the department of Agriculture, asking
your attention to the dcrelopemeuts in that vital
interest ol the nation. Whtyi Congress assembled
a mai ago. thenar had already lasted nearly
'winy months, find there had been many conflicts
on both land and sea With rarving results. The
rebellion laid been pressed back into reduced limits,
vet tile lone of public feeling and opinion at home
ami abroad was not satisfactory. With other signs,
the js.pular elections then just past, indicated un
easiness among ourselves, while amid much that
was cold and menacing, the kindest words coming
trom Europe, were uttered in accents of pity that
we were too blind to surrender a hopeless cause,
i )ur commerce was suffering greatly by a few armed
vessels, (milt ujion and furnished from foreign
shores, and we were threatened with such additions
I rom the same quarter as would sweepoqr trade from
llu* km, nml raist; our blockade. Wc had tailed
[O elicit from European governments anything
liojkm ill upon rhis subject.
Till-: EM.VJs’CITATIION PROCLAMATION. *
rile preliminary Emancipation Proclamation
issnetl in .Seprember, was running its assigned
pcnml to the beginning of the new year. A month
later the final proclamation came", including the
announcement that colored men of suitable condi
tion would be received into the war service The
l«nicy of emancipation, and of the employment of
black soldiers gave to th* future a new aspect
about which hope and fear and doubt contended in
uncertain conflict. According to our political
system, as a matter of civil administration, the
General Government hail no lawful power to effect
emancipation in any State, and for a long time it
had been hoped that the rebellion could be' sup
pressed without resorting to it as a military meas
ure. If was all the while deemed possible that the
necessity for it might come, and that if it should,
tile crisis Of the contest would then be presented'
It came, and, as was anticipated, it was followed bv
dark and doubtful days. Eleven months having
been passed, we are permitted to make another
review. The rebel borders are pressed still farther
buck, and by the complete ojiemng of the Missis
sippi river, the country dominated over bv the re
bellion is divided into distinct parts, "with no
practical communication between them. Ten
nessee and Arkansas have been substantially cleared
of insurgent control, and influential citizens In
each, owners of slaves and advocates of slavery at
the beginning of the rebellion, now declare openly
for emancipation in their respective States. Of
those States not included in the emancipation
proclamation, Mary land: and Missouri, neither of
which three years ago wpnld tolerate any restraint
upon the extension of slavery into npw territories -
only dispute now ns to the best mode of removing
it within their own limits.
Of those who were slaves at the beginning of the
rebellion, fall one hundred thousand are how in
the United States military service, about one-half
of which number 1 actually bear arms in the ranks,
thus giving the double advantage of taking so much
labor from the insurgent cause, and supply the
places-which otherwise must lie filled with so many
white men. So fhr as tested it is difficult to sa’v
that they are not as good soldiers as any. No ser
vile insurrection or tendency to violence or cruelty,
has'Marked the' measures of emancipation and
arming the blacks. These measures have been
much discussed in foreign countries and contempo
rary with such discussion, the tone of public sen
timent there is thneh improved. At home, the
same measures have been fnlly discussed, supported,
criticised and denonneed. and the annual elections
following are highly encouraging to those whose
official dnty it is to bear the country through this
great trial. Thus we haws the new reckoning -. the
crisis which threatened to divide the friends of the
Union is past.
Ai IIECONSTRUettON PKOCLAMATK*!,
Looking now to the present iifui future and with
reference to aresamption ot the national authority
within the States wherein that authority has been
suspended, JUayC; thought fit to issue a proclaiha
tion, a copy of wh|ch is herewith transmitted. On
examination ofthit proclamation, It Will appear,
as is believed, tbpt nothing pi hwoml.
what is amply justified bv the Constitution,—
EDITORS AND PHOTRO^GB;
IW. the form of ah oafh is given, but noman i
roewwi rotate*. man is oiUvtpro(j»iaed »
pardon in ho voluntarily takes die nathi 'The
Constft ntiou authorizes the Executive to grunt or
wiihhohl themnlOT at hfeowD abs^a&ctßtion;
and thi.«nclodw the power fetmX *
is tuUv established oy judicial snddthw amhdn
ties. -
It is also proffered that if; ih anv W iW States
named, a Slate government shall bd* 'fi»,.WmsNfe
proscribed, set up, such government <diaU be re
cognised arid guarantied hr the United Stit&C and
that under it the State shall, on'the constitutional
conditions, be protected against invasion and do
mestic violence.
T,he constitutional Obligation of the United
Starts to guarantee to every State in the Union a
, republican form of government, and to protect the
State in the cases stated, is explicit and full, bin
: wh . v tender the benefits of this provision only to a
. State Government set np in this particular wiv f— .
I Ins section of the Constitution contemplates a'
case wherein the element within a Stale favorable
to a in the Union may be
too feeble lor an opposite and hostile eteineht ex
ternal to and even within the State; and such arc
precisely the cases with which we are now deal
ing. An attempt to gnarantee and protect a re
vived State or Government conslrnctedin whole or
m preponderating part from the Very element
against whose hostility and violence it is - to be Wo
rmed is simply absiml. There must be ktest bv
whirl, i opposing elements so ns to build
only from the sound, and that test is . sufficient!v
liberal one, which accepts, as sound whoever will
make a sworn recantation of his former unsonml
ness. •* uiwomiiu
But if it be proper to require a teat admissionto
tbe political body an oath of allegiance to the Con
stitution of the United States and to the Union
under it, why not alsti to the laws and proelama
tion ill , Cgard to slavery ? Those laws and procla
mations were enacted and pot forth for the pur
ip-we oi aiding in the suppression of the rebellion
lo give tbcui their foilcst ettect, there bad to be a
pleuge tor their maintenance. In my judgment
they have aided, and will further aid, thecause for
tvhich they were intended. To now abandon them
would be not only to relinquish a lever of power
t f f H a cruel an<l Mtonnding breach
1 may add, at this point, that while I remain in
my present jiosition, I shall not attempt to retract
orj modify the Emancipation Proclamation, nor
shall I return to slavery any person who is made
tree by the terms of the Proclamation, or by any of
pie nets otCongress. for these and other reasons
u is draught feat that the support of these measures
shall be included m the oath; and it is believed
the Executive may lawfully claim it in return for
pardon and restoration of forfeited rights, which
he has clear constitutional power to withhold al
together, or grants upon the terms which be shall
deem wisest for the public interest.
It should be observed also that this part of the
oalii is subject to the modifying and abrogating
jKiwer of legislation and Supreme Judicial decision
1 he pro|iosed acquiescence of the National Execu
tive iu any reasonable temporary 'State arrange -
mem lor the treed people, is made*with the view
ot possibly modifying the confusion And distressed
destitution which must at best.attend all classes
by a total revolution of , hibor throughout the
: ytiiule States. It is hoped that the already deeply
afflicted people in those States may hi some
what more ready to give u p the cause of their
aiiiictiou, it, to this extent, this vital matter is
telt to themselves; while no power of the National
Executive to prevent an abase is abridged
proposition.. , *
THE PLAN OP ItE-OONSTRnCTION.
Ihe suggestion in the proclamation as to main
taining the political frame work of the States, on
what is called reconstruction, is made in the hope
that it may dogood without danger ofharm. {twill
saj-e labor, and avoid great confusion. But why anv
prix-lamationnownjxjhthissnbjecty’THsiJn^tio’n
is beset with the conflicting' views that me step
might be delayed too long or be taken tod soon'.—
{n some States the elements for tesiamption have
been rejuly for action, hnt remain inactive apparently
: for want, far a rallying i»int; a platf of action; Whv
jshall A adopt the plan of B, father than B that of
i.r 7 an . d , A and B should agree, how can they
know but that the general government here will
reject their plan? By the proclamation, a plan is
■ presented which may be accepted by them as a fallv -
ing point, and which they are assured in advance
; fill Dot be rejected here. Hifs may bring tlieih
to act sooner than they otherwise would. ’
The objection to a premature presentation of a
plan by the National Executive, consists in the
danger of committals on points which coafd be
more safely left to further developments. Garc
has been taken to so shape the' document as ’to
avoid embarrassments from this source; Savjtig
that on certain terms, certain classes will be wir-
theirs rights, restored, it' is hoi* Air that
other classes or other terms, will never be in
cluded. : Saying that re-constrhctidh will be
accepted if presented in a specified Way, it h 'hot
?md that it will never be accepted in any other wav
Hie movements, by State action, for emalteiktida
in several of the States ndtfiicWded in the emanci
pation proclamation, are" matters of profound
gratulation, and while I dd’ not repeat in detail
I. bare heretofore so earnestly Urged upon
this subject, my general views and feeliitgis remain
.unchanged, and I trust that omit mi
fair opportunity of aiding these importarirsteps to
the great consummation, ' '■ ; : '
THE WAR POWBK-s—OCB REUJUSCE.
■ln the midst of other cares, however important
we must not lose sight of the fact that the war
power ja still our main reliance. To, that power
(done dan we look yet for a time to give
fo! the people in contested regions that; the .insur
gent power will not again overrun them. Until
tliajt confidence shall be established little can -he
done anywhere for what is called reconstruction;—
Hence our chiefest care must still be directed pi
pgr army and navy who have thus &r,\ borne their
bonier part so nobly and well, ami it may be
esteemed fortunate that in giving the greatest)
cieucy to these indispensable arms; we do also hen- *
drably recognise the gallant men, from commander
loSentincl, who compose them and to whom more
than to all others.the world must stand indebted:
tiifl the home of freedom disenthralled, regenerated,
enlarged and perpetuated,,
r ABRAHAM USCQLR.
; December 8. 1863.
Proclamation Accompanying the Mes*
i:.i /
i ;l'hc following proclamation, is appsmftd to - tfcg
m&ssage:
the Constitution of the Cpit«l Btafes, ft
that the President alwM hav| pdwfer
lirjeves <w»d
except ip cascsof
whereas, a rebellkm h<w' exists wlWrthf the lwv
Statu governments dpgfejfiff
h .{ong'tiipe subverted * arid mahy persOtishivJ
committed and are now guilty of t reason aiittnit
Wj> ’ Arid'wheredl
fef#j reMflwn; and ftWife,S&h W?
■ jsft&tf ifipwffaafHi..
:|r
amt
■row
• Ist.icewt*? -'rf:
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