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.