THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. Fellow-Citizen < of the Senate and Houle of Rep reeentativez;— Again the blessings of bealih and an abundant harvest claim our profoundest gtalitude to Al mighty God. EOSEION RELATIONS The condition of our foreign affaire is reasona bly satisfactory, Meatico continues to be a theatre of civil war.— While our. political relations with that country have undergone no change, we have at the same time strictly maintained a neutrality between tho belligerents. At the request of the States of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, a competent Engineer Las heap au thorized to make a survey of the river San Juan, and the port of San Juan. It is a source of much satisfaction that the diffi culties which for a moment excited .some political apprehensions, and caused a closing of the inter oceanic transit route, have been amicably adjusted, and that there is a good prospect that the route will soon be reopened with an increase of capacity and adaptation. We coufd not exaggerate either the commercial or the political importance of that great improvement. It would he doing an injustice loan important South American' Slate not to acknowledge the directrless, frankness, and cordiality with which the United States of Columbia have entered into intimate 1 relations with this Government. A Claims Convention has been instituted to com plete the unfinished work of the one which closed its session in 18fil. The new liberal constitution of Venezuela hav ing gone into effect, with the universal acquiesencc of tho people, the Government under it lues been recognized, and diplomatic intercourse has been opened with it in a cordial and friendly spirit. The long-deferred Aresis land claim ha* been satisfactorily paid and discharged. Mutual pay ments have been made of the claims awarded by the late joint commission for the settlement oi claims between the United States and Peru. An earnest and cofdial friendship continues to exist between the two countries, and such efforts as were in my. power have been used to remove misunderstandings and avert a threatened war between Peru aud Spain. Our relations are ot the most friendly nature with Chili, the Argen tine Republic,. Bolivia, Costa Kica, Paraguay, San Salvador, and Hayti Daring the past year no differences of any kind have arisen with any of those Republics, and on the other hand their sympathies with the United States are constantly expressed with cordiality and earnestness. , The clams arising from the seizure of the cargo of the brig Macedonia, in 1821, have been paid in full by the Governn *n- of Chili. Civil war continues in the Spanish part of San Domingo, apparently without prospect of an early close. Official correspondence has been freely opened with Liberia, mid it gives ns a pleasinr view of social and political progress in that Republic. It may be expected to dar.ve new vigor from American influence, improved by the rapid dis appearance of slavery in the United States. 1 solicit your authority to furnish to the Republic a gunb.iat of'moderate cost, to be reimbursed to the United States by instalments. Such a vessel is needed for the safety of that State against the native African races, and in Liberian hands ii would be more effective in arresting the African trade than a squadron in our own hands. The possession of the least organized naval force would stimulate a generous ambition in the Republic, and the confidence which we should manifest by furnishing it would win forbearance and favor to wards the Colony from all civilized nations.' The proposed Overland Telegraph between America and Europe, by the way of Behrings’ Straits and Asiatic Russia, which was sanctioned by Congress at the last session, has been under taken under very favorable circumstances by an association of. American citizens, with the cordial goodwill and support as well oi this Government as those of Great Britain and Russia. Assurances have been received from most of the South American States of their appreciation o! the enterprise and their readiness to co-operate in constructing lines tributary to that world emir-, cling communicating. 1 lenrn with much satis faction that the noble design in' a telegraphic com munication between the eastern coast of America and Great Britain has been renewed, with full ex pectation of its accomplishment. Thus it is liojied that with the return of domes ic peace the country will be aide to resume - with energy and advantage its former high cared ot commerce and civilization. Out very popular and estimable representative in Egypt died in April last. An unpleasant al tercation which arose between the temporary in cumbent of the office and the Government oi' the Pacha resulted in a susiensiou of intercourse. — The evil was promptly corrected on the arrival of tlie successor in the consuipte, ami our relations with £gvpt, as well as our relations with the Bat hary powers, are entirely satisfactory. The rebellion which has been so long raging in China has been suppressed, with the co-opcation and offices of this Government, and of the other Western commercial States. The judicial consular establishment there has become very difficult and onerous, and it will need legislative revision to adapt it to the exten sion of our commerce, and to the more intimate intercourse which has been instituted with tle- Goycmment and people of that vast empire, China seems to he accepting with hearty *.,(.,1 will the conventional laws which regulate com mercial and social intercourse among the western nations. Owing to the pCbuliar situation of Japan, and the anomalous form of its government, the action of that Empire in performing treaty stipulations is inconstant and capricious. Nevertheless good progress has been effected by the Western Bowers moving with enlightened concert. Our own pecuniary claims have been allowed or put in course of settlement, and the inland sea has bceu reopened to commerce. There is reason to believe that these proceedings have increased rather than diminished the friendship of Japan towards the United States. THE CONTRABAND TRADE WlTil THE HEBEI,s. The ports of Norfolk, Fernandina, and Pensa cola have been opened by proclamation. It i- hoped that foreign merchants will now consider whether it -is not safer and more profitable to themselves as .veil as just to the Unite i .States, to resort to these and other open pons, than it is to pursue through many hazards and at vast cost a contraband trade with other ports which are closed. If not bv actual military occupation, at least bv a lawful and effective blockade. For myself I have no donbt of the power and duty of the Ex ecutive, under the law of nations, to exclude enemies of the human race from an asylum in the United States. ; If Congrcrs should think that the proceedings in »uch cases lack the authority of law or ought to be further regulated by it, I recommend that provision be made for effectually preventing for eign slave traders from acquiring domicile and facilities for their criminal occupation in our county. It is possible that if it were a new and open question, the maritime powers, with the" lights they now enjoy, would not concede the privileges of a naval belligerent to the insurgents of the United Slates, destitute as they are and always have been equally of ships of war and of ports and harbors. Disloyal emissaries have been neither less astiduotitfnor more successful during the last year than they were before that time in their efforts, under favor of that privilege, to cra , broil our country in foreign war. The desire and ' determination of the Govimniems of the mari time seats to defeat that de sign are believed to be as sincere, and cannot he more earnest thau our own. Nevertheless, unforeseen political difficulties have arisen, especially in Brazilian and British ports, and on (he northern lu-un lary of the Unted States, which have required, and are likely to con tinue to require the practice of constant vigilance, and a just and conciliatory gpint on the part of the United States, as well a» of the nations con cerned and their governments. Commissioners have been appointed under tke treaty with Great Britain on the adjustment of the claims of the Hudson’s Bay and Paget’s Sound Agricultural Companies, ia Oregon, and are now proceeding to the execution of the trust assigned to them. TUX RAID! TROM CANADA In view of the insecurity jot life and property in the region adjacent to the Canadian border,.by reason of secret assaults and depredations com mitted by inimical and desperate persons who are | harbored" there, it has been thought proper to give : notice that after the expiration of six months, the ; jieriod conditionally stipulated on the existing ar- ; rungemem with Great Britain, the United States ; must hold themselves at liberty to increase their i nova! armament upon the lakes, if they shall find ] that proceeding necessary, .The condition.of the bonier will necessarily come into consideration in connection with the question of continuing or modifying the rights of transit from Canada through the United States, as well as the regula tion of imiKi.-ts which were temporarily established by the Reciprocity Treaty of June 5, 18ti4. 1 desire, however, to be understood, while mak ing this statement, that tho Colonial authorities of Canada are tmt, deemed to be intentionally un just or unfriendly towards the United States, but, on the contrary, there is every reason to expect that, witli the approval of the Imperial Govern ment, they will take the necessary measures to prevent new incursions across the border. EMIGRATION. The act past at the last session for the encour agement of emancipation lias, so far as was possi ble, been put into operation. It seems to need amendment, which will enable the officers of the Government to prevent the practice of frauds against the immigrants while on their way, and on their arrival in the ports, so as to secure them here a free choice of avocation and place of settle ment. s ■ A liberal di position towards tins great national policy is manifested by most of the European States, and ought to be reciprocated on our part by giving the immigrants effective national pro tection. 1 regard our immigrants as one of the principal replenishing streams which are appointed by Providence to repair the ravages of internal war. and its waste of material strength and wealth. All that is necessary is to secure the flow of that stream in its present fulness, and to that end the Government must in every way make it manifest that it neither needs nor designs to impose invol untary military service upon those who come from other lands to east their lot in our country. FINANCIAL AFFAIRS. The financial affairs of .the Government have been successfully administered during the last year. The legislation of the last session of Congress lias beneficially affected the revenue, although sufficient time Ims not yet elapsed to experience the full effect of several of the provisions of the acts of Congress imposing increased taxation. The receipts during the year from all sources, upon the basis of warrants signed by the Secreta ry,of the Treasury, including 'loans and the bal ance in the Treasury on the Ist day of July, 1803. were $1,394,730,007.03, and the aggregate dis bursements upon the same basis were $1,298,050,- 101.89, leaving a balance in the treasury, as .shown by warrants, of $90,539,905.73. Deduct from these amounts the amount of the principal of iho public debt redeemed, and the amount of issues in substitution therelorc, aud the actual cash op erations of the treasury • were— $884,- 070,040.57. Disbursements $805,234,087 80, which leaves a cash balance in the treasury of $18,842,558.71. Of the receipts there were derived from cus toms, $102,310,152.99 ; from lauds $588,333.29; from direct taxes. $475,048.90 ; ; from internal revenue, $109,741,134.19; from miscellaneous sources, $47,511,448.19; and from loans applied to actual expenditures, including former balance, $023,443,929.13, , There were disbursed for the civil service $27,508,599.40 ; for pensions aud Indians, .‘87,517,930.97; for the war department, $090,- 791,842.97; for the navy department, $75.733,- 292.77 ; for interest on tiro public debt, $58,085,- 421.09; making an aggregate of $805,234,087 86, and leaving a balance in the treasury of $18,842,- ,558.71, as before stated. For the actual receipts and disbursements for the first quarter, and the estimated receipts and disbursements lor the three remaining quarters of •he currant fiscal year, and the general operations of the Treasury in detail,-1 refer you to the report of the Secretary of the Treasury. I concur with him in the opinion that the pro portion of moneys required to meet the expenses consequent upon the war, derived from taxation, should be still further increased ; and earnestly invite your attention to this subject, to the end that there may he such additional'legislation as shall be required to meet the just expectations of the Secretary. THE NATIONAL DEBT, The public debt on the Ist of July last, as ap pears by the hooks of the Treasury, amounted, to one billion seven hundred and forty millions six hundred and ninety thousand four hundred and vighty-nine dollars and forty-nine cents. Proba bly, should the war continue for another year, that amount will be increased by not far from five hundred millions. Held as it is, for the most part, by our own peo ple, it has become a substantia] branch of nation al, though private property. For obvious reasons the more nearly this property can be distributed among all the people the better. To favor such genera! distribution, greater inducements to be come owners might, jwrhaps with good effect and without injury, bo presented to persons of limited means. With this view I suggest whether it might not lie both competent and expedient for Congo ss to provide that a limited amount of some future issue of public securities miglit.be held by any hona Jhle purchaser, exempt from taxation and from seizure for debt. Under such restrictions and limitations as might bo necessary to guard against abuse of so important a privilege. This' would enable every prudent person to.set aside a small annuity against a possible day of want. * Privileges like these would render the possession of such securities, to the amount limited, most desirable to every person of small means who might be able to save enough for t.;o purpose The great advantage of citizens being creditors as well as debtors, with relation to '.he public debt, is, obvious. They readily perceive that they cannot be much oppressed by a debt which they owe 10 themselves. The public debt on the Ist day of July last, al though somewhat exceeding the estimate of the Secretary of the Treasury made to Congress at the commencement of the last session, falls short of the estimate of that officer mode in the preceding December as to its probable amount at the begin ning of this year by the sum of $3.99.0,007.111. This fact exhibits a satisfactory condition and conduct of the operations of Treasury. The Na tional Banking system is proving to be acceptable to capitalists and to the people. On the 35th day of November five hundred and eigluy-four National Banks had been organise d, a considerable number of which were concessions fronflfelte Banks. Changes from the State sys tems to the National systems are rapidly taking place, and it is hoped thai very soon there will be m the United Slates no banks of issue not author ized by Congress, and no hank note circulation not secured by the Government. That the Gov ernment and the people will derive great benefit from this change in the. hanking systems of the country can hardly tic questioned. The national system will create a reliable and permanent influ ence in support of the national credit, and protect tin- people against losses, in the issue of paper money. Whether or not any further legislation, is advisable for the suppression of State bank issue*, it will be for Congress to determine. It seems quite clear that the Treasury cannot be satisfactorily conducted unless the Government pensioners of this class is 25,433, and of navy pen can exercise a restraining power over the bank sioners 793. Ai the beginning of the >ear the note circulation of the country. ' number of revolutionary pensioners was 1430; the army ahd'sivt. oni . v twelve of them wete soldiers, ot whom seven . ■ ’ , TT " , , have sin;e died. The report of the Secretary »f V» ar, and the ac- , The remain a e r are those who, under the laws, companyiog documents, will detail the campaigns • Tensions, because of relationship to Kevolu of the armies in the field since the date of the last t j on . m . Soldiers annual message, and also the operations of the t j u , ' vcar ending 30th of June, 1864, several administrative bureaus of the »ar Depart- ; r>O4,GIG,D2 has been paid to pensioners of all mem during the past year. It will also specify j the measures esaensial for the national defense, ; j c i iecr f u u v commend to vour continued patron and to keep up and supply the requisite military j nge lhe benJvoient institutions of the District of force. ' : Columbia, which have hitherto been established or The report of the Sect-elan- of the Navy presents j f() , lered liv Congress, and respectfully refer, for in a compreitenaive and satisfactory exhibit of the ; f orm;ltion - com:J rning them, am! in >OlllllOO to the affairs of that Depaitment and of the naval service. ! Washington aqueduct, the Capitol, and other mai lt is a subject of congratulation and laudable pride j {ers 0( looal interest . t 0 , he re ,, on of the Secretary, to our countrymen that a na\y of such \a»t proper- j Agricultural Department, under the super tions has been organized in so huef a penod, and | v .j b ; on o f- ltj present energetic and faithful head, is conducted wttn so much efficiency and success. mpidlv co mmenaing itself to the great and vital The general exhibit ot the navy, ineludmg yes;*) ill | ert ; t it was t . rea tcd to advance. It is peculiarly sels under construction. on the Ist ot December, tln . lv , e - s lj,. pur - m cnt, in which thev feel more 1804, -shows a total of 6/1 vessels, carrying 4610 d | ret ., lv ‘ conrt .r,a.d than in any other. I commend guns, and of 010,3Jb tons, being an actuahnereas.e j ( . [0 liie C(J!ll i nued attention and fostering care of during the year over and above all losses fay ship- p wreck, and battle, of 83 vessels, T 67 guns, and “ 42,427 tuns. The total number of men at this time in the naval service, including officers, is about 51,000. There have been captured by the navy during the year 324 vessels, and the whole number of naval raptures since hostilities commenced is 1379, of which 267 are steamers. The gross proceeds arising from the sale of condemned prize property thus reported pmount to $14.396,250,51. A large amount of such proceeds is still under adju dication, and yet to he reported. The total expenditure of the Navy Department of every description, including the cost of the im mense squadrons that have been called into exis tence, from the 4th of March, 1861, to the Ist of November, 1864, is $238,647,262,35. Your fa vorable consideration is invited to the various recommendations of the Secretary of the Navy, especially in regard to a' Navy Y'ard and suitable establishment for the construction of iron vessels, and the machinery and armature for our ships, to which reference has been made in ray last Annual Message Your attention is also invited to the view ex pressed in the teport in relation to the legislation of Congress at the last session in respect to prizes in our inland waters. I cordially concur iu the recommendation of the Secretary as to the propri ety of creating the new rank of rear-admiral in our naval service. POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. Your attention is invited to the report of the Postmaster-General for a detailed account of the operations and financial condition of the Post Office Department. The postal revenue for the year, ending June 30th, 18G4, amounted to $12,- 438,253,78; and the expenditures to $12,644,780,- 20 ; the excess of expenditures over receipts being $200,052,42. The views presented by the Postmaster-General on the subject of special grants by the Government in aid of the establishment of new lines of ocean mail steamships, and the policy he recommends for the .development of increased commercial in tercourse with adjacent and neighboring countries, should receive the careful consideration of Con gress. It is of noteworthy interest that the steady ex pansion of population, improvement, and govern-' mental institutions over the new and unoccupied portions of oiir country lias scarcely been checked,- much less impeded or destroyed, by our great civil war, which at the first glance would seem to have absorbed almost the entire energies of the nation. A NEW STATE, The organization and admission of the State of Nevada has been completed in conformity with law, and thus our excellent system is firmly estab lished in the mountains which once seemed a bar ren and uninhabitable waste between the Atlantic States and those which have grown up on the Pacific Ocean. THE TERRITORIES. The territories of the Union are generally in a condition of prosperity and rapid growth. Idaho and Montana, by reason of their great distance and the interruption of communication with them by Indian hostilities, have been only partially or ganized ; but it is understood that these difficul ties are about to disappear,, which will permit their Governments, like those of \he others, to go into speedy and full operation. As intimately connected with and promotive of this material growth of the nation, 1 a»k the at tention of Congress to.the valuable information and important recommendation relating to the public lands, Indian affairs, the Pacific Railroad, and mineral discoveries contained in the report of the Secretary of the Interior, which is herewith transmitted, and which report also embraces the subjects of patents, pensions, and other topics of public Interest pertaining to this Department. n THE PUBLIC LANDS. The quantity of public land disposed of during the five quarters ending on the 30th of Septem ber last was 4,221,312 acres, of which 1,338,014 acres were entered under the homestead law.— The remainder was located withTtulitary land warrants, agricultural scrip certified to Slates for railroads, and sold for cash. The cash received from sales and location fees was §1,019,440. The income from sales during the fiscal year ending June 30, 18C4, was §078,007,21, again it $136,077,05 received during the pieccding year The aggregate number of acres surveyed during the year has been equal to the quantity disposed of, and there is open to settlement about 133,000,- OjO acres of surveyed land. THE I'ACIFIC RAILROAD The great enterprise connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific States by railways and telegraph lines has been entered upon with a vigor that gives assurance of success, notwithstanding the embar rassments arising from the high prices of materi als and labor. The route of the main line of the road has been definitely located for one hundred miles westward from the initial point at Omaha Citv, Nebraska, and a preliminary location of the Pacific Railroad of California, has been made from Sacramento ea-twar.l to the Great Bend of the Sruckec river in Nevada. Numerous discov eries ot gold, silver, and cinnabar mines have been added to the many heretofore known in the country occupied by the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains, and the subordinate ranges now teem with enterprising labor, which is richly remunera tive. It is believed that the product of the mines of precious metals in that regioiL has, during the year, reached, if no, exceeded, $i00,000,009. RELATIONS WITH THE INDIANS It was recommended in my last annual mes sage that our Indian system, he remodelled. Con gress, at its lust session, acting upon the recom mendation, did provide for reorganizing the system in California, and it is believed that undeT the present organization the management of the Indians there will be attended with reasonable success. Much yet remains to be done to .provide for the proper government of the Indians in other parts ot the country to render it secure fur the advanc ing settler, and tp provide for the Indians. The Secretary reiterates hi? and to them the attention of Congress is invited. TENSIONS, ETC. The liberal provisions made by Congress for paying pensions to invalid soldiers and sailors of the Republic, and to the widows, opiums, and de pendent mothers of those who have fallen in battle or died of disease contracted or wounds received in the service of the country, have been diligently administered. There have- been added to the pension rolls during the year ending the 30th day of June last the names of 16,779 invalid soldiers, and of 271 disabled seamen, making the present number of army invalid pensioners 22,767 and of navy inva lid pensioners 712. Of widows, orphans, and mothers, 22,198 have been placed on the army pension rolls, and 248 on the navy rolls. The present numoer of army PROGRESS OF THE WaR, The war continue?:. Since the last Annual Mes sage alt the imj>ortant lines and positions then oc cupied by our forces have been maintained, and our arms have been steadily advanced, thus lib erating the regions left in the rear ; so that Mis souri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and parts of other S«atcs have again produced reasonably fair cr-ps. The most remarkable feature in she military oj>- -emtions of the year is General -Sherman’s attemp ted march of three hundred miles, directly through the insurgent region. It tends to show a great increase of our relative strength, that our G:*neral-in-Chief should feel able to confront and hold in check every active foice of the enemy, and yet to detach u well appointed large army to move on such an expedition. The result not yet being known, conjecture in regard to it is not here indulged. Important movements have also cccured during the year to the effect of moulding society fur the durability of the Union. All hough short of com plete success, it is much in the right direction that twelve.thousand citizens in each of the States of Arkansas and Louisiana have organized local State Governments, with free constitutions, anti are earnestly struggling to maintain ami administer them. The movements in tho same direction, more ex tensive, though less definite, in Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee, should not be overlooked, but Ma ryland presents the example of complete success. Maryland is secured to liberty auv Union for ail the future. The genius of Uebcllion will uo more claim Matylaiid. Like another foul spirit, being driven out it may'seek to tear her, but it will woo her no more. Amendment of the Constitution. At the last session of Congress a proposed amend ment of the- Constitution abolishing slavery throughout the United States past the Senate, hut failed, for want of the requisite two-thirds vote, in the House of Uepresemanves. Although the pres ent is the same Congress, and nearly the satire members, ano without questioning the wisdom or patriotism of those who stood in opposition, 1 venture to recommend the reconsideration and pas sage of the measure at tho present session.' Of course the abstract question is not changed, but an intervening election shows almost certainly that the next Congress will pass the measure if this does not. Hence there is only a question of time as to when the proposed aim-ndim ut will go to the States for their action, and as it is to go at all erents, may we not agree that the sooner the better ? It is not claimed that the' election has imposed a duty on members to charge their views or their votes any further than, as an additional element to be considered, their judgement may be affected by it. It is the voice of the people, now for the first time heard upon the question. In a great national crises like ours unanimity of action among those seeking a common end is very desirable, almost indispensable, and yet no apptoacb to such unan imity is attainable, unless some deferet Oe shall bo paid to the will of the majority, simply because it is the will ol the majority. In this case the common end is the maintenance of the Union, and among the means to secure that end, such will, though the election is most clearly declared iu favor of such a Constitutional amend ment. The most reliable indication of the public purjioso iu this country, is derived through our popular elections. Judging by the recent canvass and its results, tho purpose of the jicoplo within the loyal Slates to maintain the integrity ofllte Union was never more firm or more nearly unanimous than now. The extraordinary calmness and good order with which the millions of voters mingled at the polls, gave strong assurance of this. Nut only all those who supponed tlie Uiiiou ticket, so called, but a great majority of the opposing party also may De‘ fairly claimed to entertain and to be actuated by the same pur]jose. It is an unanswerable argument ro this effect, that no candidates for any office, however high or low, has ventuied to seek votes on the avowal that he was for giving up the Union. There have been much iuipiming of motives and much heated controversy as to the proper means and best mode of advancing the Union cause, but on the distinct issue uf Union or.no Union the |k>- lilieiuns have shown their instinctive knowledge that there is no diversity among the people. In affording to the people the fair opportunity of showing one to another and to the#orld this firm ness and unanimity of purpose, the election has been of vast value to the national cause. The National Resources Inexhaustible. The election has exhibited another fact not less valuable to be known—the fact that we do not ap ptoach exhaustion in the most important branch of national rccources—that of living’ men. While if is, melancholy to reflect‘that the war has tilled so many graves, and carried mourning to so many hearths, it is some relief to know that compared with the surviving, the fallen have been so few. While corps and divisions, and brigades and regt-t incuts, have formed and fought, and dwindled and gone out of existence, a great majority of the men who composed them' are still living. Tite same is true of the naval service. The election returns . prove this. So many voters could not else be found. The States regularly holding elections both now, and four years ago, to wit; —California, Connecti cut, Uuleware, Illinois, Indiana,' lowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, .Min nesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey. New York, Ohio, Oregon. I’cnnsylvania, Rhode Island, Vcrmo.it, Western Virginia and Wisconsin, cast 3,982.011 votes now, against 3.880,222 -east • then, showing an aggregate gain of 3,982,011. To this is to l.e added 33,762 cast now in the new Slates of Kansas and Nevada, which States did not vote in 1860, thus swelling the aggregate to 4,015,773, and the net increase during the three years and a half of war to 14,551. A table is ap pended showing particulars. To this again should be added the number of soldiers in the field from Ma>s tchusetls, Rhode Is land, New Jersey, Deleware, Indiana, Illinois, and California who, by laws of these States, could not vote away from their homes, and which number cannot be less than ninety thousand. Nor vet is this all. The number in the unorganized territor ies is a trilie now to what it was four years ago, while thousands, white and, black, join us as the national armies ptesij back the insurgent lines. So much is shown, alilnuatively and negatively, by the election. It is not. material to inquire how the increase has been produced, or to show that it would have been greater, hut far fie war, which is probable true. The important fact remains de monstrated that we have more men now than whim the war began ; that we are nut exhausted nof in process of exhaustion. That we are gaining strenght, and may, if need be, maintain the contest indefinitely—this as to men. Material resources are now more complete and abundant than ever. The natural tecources, then, are unexhausted, and, us we believe, inex haustible. The public purjtosc to reestablish and maintain the national authority is unchanged, and, •» we believe, unchangeable. CONIUTIOJf OF PeACI, The manner of continuing the conflict remains to choose. On careful consideration of all the evi dence accessible, it seems to me that no attempt at negotiation with the iu.-urgent leader could result in any pood. Ole would accept nothing short of severance of the Union—precisely what we will not and cannot giv»-. Mis declarations to this effect ate explicit and nft-rcpoaicU. He does not attempt to deceive ourselves. , Ho cannot voluntarily reaccept the Union.' He cannot voluntaiily yield u.,. Between him and us the issue is distinct, single, and inflexible. It is an issue which can only be tried by warand decided by victory. If we yield we are beaten. If the Southern jjsjople fail him he is beaten. Eith er way it would be the victory and defeat following war. What is true, however, of him who heads the insurgent is not necessarily true of those who follow. Although lie cannot rc-nccopt the Union, they can. Some of them, he kn >ws, already desire peace and reunion. The number of such may in crease. They can at any moment have simp ly by laving down their arms and submitting to the national authority under the Constitution. After s.o nine • the Government could not, if it would, maintain war against them. The loyal ci tizens would nut sustain of allow.it. ? If questions should remain, we would adjust them by the jx-accful means of legislation, conferences, courts, and votes, operating only in constitutional and lawful channels. Some certain, and other possible questions are and would bo beyond the Executive power to adjust as, for instance, the admission of members into Congress, and whatever might require the appro priation of money. The executive power itself would be greatly di minished by the ees atioti of actual war. Pardons and remissions of forfeitures, however, would still be within executive control. In what spirit and temper this control would be exercised can be fairly judged of by the past. A year ago a general pardon and amnesty, upon speci fied terms, were offered to all, except curtain desig nated classes, and it was at the same lime made known that the excepted classes were still within contemplation of sjiecial clemency. During the year many availed themselves of the general provisions, and many more would only that the signs of bad faith in some led to such precau tionary measures as rendered tho pratical process less easy and certain. During the same time, also, special pardons have been granted to individuals of tiicexCepled classes, and uo voluntary application lias been denied. Thus, practically, the dour has been fur a full year, oiieti to all except such as were not in condition to make free choice ; that is, such as were iu custody or under constraint. It is still so open to all. But rhe lime may come when the public duty shall de mand that it be closed, and that in lieu more vig orous measures than heretofore shall be adopted.- In presenting the abandonment of armed resis tane to the national authority on the part of the in surgents, as the only, indispensible condition to : ending the war on tlie part of the Government, I retract nothing heretofore said as to slavery. I repeat the declaration made a year ago, that while 1 tenia n in my present position I sbajl not attempt to lelract or modify the Emancipation Proclamation ; nor shall 1 return to slavery any person who is free by'the terms of that proclama tion, or by any of the acts of Congress. lithe people z-bould, by whatever word or means, make’it an Executive duty to re-enslave such per sons, another, and not I, must be their instrument to jierform it. In stating a single condition of peace, I mean simply to say that the war will cease on the part of the Gorot nment whenever it shall have ceased on the part of those who began it. [Signed] ABKAUAM LINCOLN. December G, IBGL Solium irilmae. ALTOONA, PA. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1864 The War | Sherman's march through Georgia, and i the situation of Thomas’ and Hood's forces, | at Nashville, are now the centre of at j traction.' The latest we have from Sher t man is that he is gradually moving forward | at the pace at which he started—fifteen S miles per day. The rebels have been | thus far unable to throw’a sufficient force | in front of him to even check his progress. 1 The rebel press is full of conjecture as to the point at wljjch he will land on the seaboard. Savannah is generally supposed to be his destination, but he may strike out to the left and land at Beaufort, or,lie may bring up at Charleston. ' A tall events they have concluded he will go where he pleases, and they can’t stop him. They I affect not to care where he may come out. ! but their outward indifference cannot eon ; deal their feverish anxiety. They feel ; that the Confederacy ’is about “played ’ out,’’ and all they seem to be striving for is to see how long it will take it to die. The dashing Hood has run his army up to the suburbs of Nashville and now con fronts Gen. Thomas who is there entrench ed. While lie is trying to keep Thomas penned up at Nashville his men will not be able to serve in other localities where they might do more damage. No fears are entertained in reference to the situa tion at the place named. Gen. Thomas is ready at any time to go into the fray, and his reputation as an officer precludes a doubt as to his success in the engagement. From the Army of the Potomac the news is “All quiet.” How long the ex pression is to remain in stereotype we can not tell. Gen. Grant appears to have a purpose unknown outside the proper circle, and bis plans will be unfolded at the proper time. (Jen. Couch has been relieved from the command of the Department of the Sus quehanna and ordered to report to Gen. Thomas. Gen. Cadwallader has been ap pointed to the Department of Pennsylva nia, embracing the Department of the Susquehanna. Soldiers’ Orphans. —Arrangements a are now perfected and Schools selected for If (he education And maintenance of the H children of those brave men who have fal- I! len in their country's service, and it is the IJ duty of School Directors to see that appli. 1 cation for admission into one of these SS schools is immediately made for every needy orphan in their respective districts. -I By promptly performing this pleasing duty, 1 they will confer a lasting favor upon the -I surviving parent or friends of these chil- J dren—generally too timid to make the I application—upor\_ the contrary, by assist- 0 ing in the elevation of those who, if im- 1 cared for, may grow up ignorant and I i worthless citizens. § Applications should be correctly made out, attested by the President and Secre- 1 tary of the board, and forwarded to the m chairman of the proper County Committee, 8 from whom Wanks for this purpose can be 1 obtained. Great care should be taken 1 that names, dates, &c., are correctly given. 1 Thh Chairman of the Committee should immediately add his certificate to these applications if correct, and forward them M to Dr. Thomas H. Burrowes, Superinten- 9 dent of Orphans, Lancaster, Pa. Ho need "3 not call together the Committee tor this || purpose, as the certificate of the School 1 Directors, who live in the same township 1 with the applicant, is the beat evidence as I to the necessary facts in the case he can get. I Each member of the Committee, as well as each public-spirited citizen, should cheerfully anil promptly aid in securing to those entitled to it the benefits of this just and beneficent measure. Furthur information can -be obtained from the Pennsylvania School Journal. O' The American Agriculturist is., the best and cheapest agricultural paper pub- lished in this or any other country. It | contains sixteen pages of the most valuable i’ reading matter that any farmer can secure, j Its contributors are men of large experi ence, who make agriculture a study and reduce it to science. Under the influence of this monthly publication, we -are pleased to note that the prejudice against “book farming,” as it has been termed, is fast being broken down, and, as a natural con sequence, old worn out farms are rejuven ated, and what was once considered waste land, or barren deserts, are being made to bring forth fruit and blossom as the rose. \ In the last iasue the editor announces that he has reached the goal for which he star ted, viz: one hundred thousand subscri bers. This is sufficient evidence of the value of the publication. Price $1.50 per annum, or 4 copies for $5 ; 10 copies for $12.50, 20 copies for $2O. Orange Judd, 41 Park Row, New York. ' I&- Godey's Lady's Book, for January, is already beefore us. The first en graving,. entitled “May and December,” will bring a smile to the countenance of every one who looks upon it. Old De cember appears to be in earnest, while young May is evidently playing the co quette. Godey’s is the book, as we hare often repeated, to please the ladies, and no young man can make his dearest cousin a more acceptable present than to send her the Book' for a year. Terms $3,50 per annum, L. A. Godey, Philadelphia Peterson’s Magazine for January, 1865, is before us, and come, fully up to what we expected of it at the opening of the volume. It promises to be more en tertaining, if possible, during the coining year than it has been in the past. The steel engravings are beautiful and the multitude of fashion plates and patterns must astonish the fair sex. As ever, wt are puzzled to know how Peterson can furnish so much for the low price of $2,00. If you want a good cheap magazine, send §2,00 to Chas. J. Peterson, Philadelphia. IfifThe new editor of the Ebensburg Democrat 4 Sentinel is somewhat severe on the renegades from the Democratic party, among whom are Gvn. Dix, Gen. Butler, Forney, Chapman, Judge Shannon, Hon. John Cessna, T. C. McDowell and others. He makes a very unseemly comparison between their conduct and that of Judas. A dog may bay at the moon, but the moon is not affected by it. Congress met on Monday last, and the President sent in his message on Tues day. It will be found entire in our col umns to-day. It has the merit of brevity, and also that of being comprehensible.— As such documents possess more than unusual interest at this time, it will be read by all. O’ The Pittsburgh Daily Commercial i» a live daily paper, and we can most hear tily commend it to sill who want a good daily from the smoky city. Especially i> it acceptable to all Kepublicans, as it j* strong in that faith. See advertisement in another column. |Uto«&a LOCAL gy The enrollment through paratoiv to a draft, to fill up i called dot by Got. Curtin last completed, and,unless the num speedily forthcoming, the whe< tiom 1‘ « aom okatl ? Harrisburg Telegraphy that ai first five regiments of the Stat braced in any of the future d by the War Department for * remain in the State sendee, is served out, it wiH be regard of this fnrlongb, the roan thei into the United States army, l time for which he was drafte toers will also be credited o which the War Department full term of service to the Stat loerdu the State Qs*sd serf, should after the expiration o! by the United States, for,t» will receive a credit on such devoted to the Slate. These and will no doubt induce the the first five of the -Immediately ih cation of the Johnstown and the office offered tor sale, made its appearance, with Ih ater ihs Ist of January the t ( per annum, in mivapce. or the expiration of the year. 1 Jas. F. Campbell, who, we kindly as we give it, when t hi* anathemas against the adi better tempered, now that tin the majority against his side a million. Take the joke gt Campbell, hopeing that it n rejoice in ’6S. There is ahr *ide to the picture at which y .take Weis has got among the children. He n time iin.ee, that he would ad. stock of toys, juvenile tea tab tea pots, sugar bowls, plates, and all the paraphernalia ce lowing after tea entertaiwne quence is that the children He has also a choice select!, for the holidays, among whit ornamented hearts. By the have bashful lovers, they w. to present to your ‘'fellers." to say the word, one of these help them to out with it. T Free Lecture. —Ur. < city, the celebrated physic catarrh, deafness, discharge; in the head, and all chronu free lecture in the United (Saturday) evening. The I oiling and lecturing, and tn for over thirty years, during been over a good portion of in the European hospitals, much information and a tl the disaeses he treats. T panted by demonstrations - audience. Go and bear hit A wedding trauspii Sunday evening week, am with another man in two A slight mistake, Mr. I _ The fellow that was raarri, up by Esquire Speilman, of “sacked" by his companioi Sqtiire to get his harness ta could not find a statute in code of laws, which provid unhappily hitched mdividu ness until Judge Taylor, o burg, unbuckle tbc haanes. ,OgT The deer have t Grea''number* of them h thi& place, and they are be from the different stations Huntingdon. Three of place returned on Monday deer and a very large bear readily for $75. It weigh of 400 pound i. The hun Taylor, Shannon Taylor are now out on another hi nr We hare received request to insert, and w, Captuikd —on the 19t Charlestown, Virginia, Si member of Co. B. 12th P ing any further informal i> get it by addressing Win Ferry, Va., in care of Ca We presume the “ C.J! name, means “ cavalry s< tSf They arc going i man's. The ladies wai - warm, and they are boll with a man's arm in it, t comfortable things a lac shoulders when she “go off too Laughman’s and bis stock before ail the when all the lovely ones gone. * Reader, while re until you come to D. W, then yon needn't read it all means, if yon want hats, caps, bonnets, furs call at his store, in Jess Virginia stree, and ma stock. A fine supply just received. V. M. C. A—The \ sociation of Altoona, tm m the second story of tl subject to be discussed t contined in the followir -R ssoiuei—That perm cannot be obtained with and upright conduct. MTCoI. EUua Baki kh*ny Furnace, near t dues on jaat.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers