emocratre @atchman.
VOL. 6.
BELLEFONTE, THURSDAY MORNING, DEC. 12, 1861.
NO. 48.
President: Lincoln’s Message.
READ IN CONGRESS, TURSDAY DEC. 3rd "61
Fellow-citizens of the Senate and House of
Representatives: 3
In the midst of unprecedented political
troubles, we have cause of great gratitude to
God for unusual good health ri abundant
harvests,
You will not be surprised to learn, that in
the peculiar exigencies of the times, our in-
tercourse with foreign nations has been at-
tended with profound solicitude, chiefly
turning upon our domestic affairs. A dis-
layal portion of the American people have,
during the whole year been engaged in an at-
t to divide ana destroy the Union.
A pation which endures factious demestic
divisign is exposed to disrespect abroad, and
ene party, if not both, is sure, sooner or ia
ser, to invoke foreign intervention. Nations
shas tempted to interfere are not always able
to resist the counsels of seeming expediency
and ungenerous ambition, although measures
adopted under such influences seldom fail to
be unfortunate, and injurious to those adopt-
19g Hol. :
The disloyal citizens of the United States
who have offered the ruin of our country in
return for the aid and comfort which they
bave invoked abroad, have received less pa-
tronage and en: ouragement than they pro-
bably expected, If it were just to suppose,
ws the insurgents have seemed to assume,
that foreign nations, in this case, discarding
all moral, social and treaty obligations,
would act solely and selfishly for the most
epeedy restoration of commerce including es-
pecially the acquisition of cotton, these na-
tions appear as yet not tc have seen their
way to their objeet more directly or clearly
shrough the destruction, than through the
preservation of the Uniun.
If we could dare believe that foreign va-
tivne are actuated by ‘no higher principle
than this, [ am quite sure a sound argument
could be made to show them that they cap
reach their aim more readily acd easily by
aiding to crush this rebellion than by giving
encouragement to it. The principle lever
relied on by the insurgents for exciting for
eign nations to hostility agaiost us, as al-
ready intimated, is the embarrassment of
commerce These nations, however, not im-
probably saw from the first that it was the
Union which made as well our foreign as our
domestic commerce. They can scarcely have
failed to pereieve that rhe effure for disunion
produces the existing difficulty, and that one
etrong nation promises more durable peace
and a more extensive and reliable commerce
than cao the same pation broken into hos-
tile tragments, Itis not my purpose to re-
view our discussions with foreign States, be-
cause whatever might be their wishes or dis-
. positions, the integrity of our country and
the stability of our government mainly de-
pend not apen them, but on the loyalty, vir-
tue, patriotism and intelligence of the Amer-
ican people.
The correspondence itself, with the usual
seaervatiozs, ie herewith eubmitted. I ven
ture to hepe it will appear that we have
practiced prudence and liberality towards
foreign powers, averting causes of irritation
and with firmness maintaing our rights and
honor. Since, however, it is apparent that
here, as in every other State, foreign danger
necessarilly attend domestic difficulties ; I
reccomend that adequate and ample meas-
ures be adopted for maintainiog the public
defences on every side. .
While under this general recommendation
provision for defending our seacoast line oc-
curs to the ming, ¢
1 also in ths same connection eek the at-
tention of Congress to our grea. lakes and
rivers. It is believed that some fortifications
and depots of arms and munitions, with bar-
bor and navigation improvements, at ail
well selected points upon these, would be of
great importance to the national defence and
preservation,
I ask attention to the views of the Secre-
tary of War expressed in his report upon
the same general subject, I deem it of im-
portance that the loyal regicns of East Ten-
nesses and Western North Carolina should
de connected with Kencucky and other faith
ful parts ot the Union, by railroad. I there
fore reccommend, as a military measure,
tha Congress provide for the construction of
such road as speedily as possible. Kentucky
ac do doubt, will co-operate, and through
her Legislature, make the most judicious sa
gection of a line.. The Northern terminus
must connect with some existing railroad,
end whether the route shall be from L xing-
ton or Nicholusville to the Cumberland Gap,
or from Lebanon to the Tennessee line in
the direction ot Knoxville, or on some still
different Lind can be readily determined.—
Kentucky and the General Government co-
operating. the work can be completed in a
very snort time, and when done, it will not
only be of vast present importance, but also
@ valuable permanent improvement, com-
mensurate with ite cost in all the future,
Some treaties designated chiefly for the
interests of commerce, and having no grave
political importance, bave been negociated,
and will be submittad to the Senate for their
consideration.
Although we have failed to induce some
of the commercial powers to adopt a melior-
ation of the rigor of maratime war, we have
removed all obstructions. from the way of
this humane reform, except such as are
merely of temporarp and accidental occur-
rence.
I invite your attention to the correspond-
ence vetween Her Brittanic Majesty's Miris-
ter, a coredited to this Government, and the
Secret ary of State, relative to the detention
of the British ship Perthshire, in June last,
by the United States steamer Massachusetts,
for a supposed breach of the blocade. As
this detention wae opeasioned by an ohvious
misaporehension of the facts, and as justice
requires that we should commit no belliger-
ent aot not founded in strict right as sanc-
tioned by public law, I reccommend that an
appropriation bp made to satisfy the reason-
sb le demand of the owners of the vessel for
“or detention.
“pd repeat the recommendation of my pre-
esessor, in his annus! message to Congress
in December last. in regard to the disposis
tion of the surplus which will probably re-
main after satiefying the claims of American
citizens against China, pursuant to the
awards of the Commissioners under the act
of the 3rd of March, 1859
If, however, it should oot be deemed ad«
visable to carry that reccommendation nto
effect, I would suggest that authority be giv-
eo for investigating the principal of the pro
ceeds ot the surplus referred to in good se:
eurities, with a view to the satisfaction of
such other claims of our citizens against
China as are not unlikely to arise hereafter
in the course of our extensive trade with
that empire.
By the act of the 5th of August last, Con-
gress authorized the President to instruct the
Commanders of the suitable vessels to defend
themselves against and capture pirates. This
authority has been exercised in a single in
stance only For the more effectual protec-
tien of our extensive and valuable commerce
in the Eastern seas, especially. it seems to me
that it would be advisable to authorize the
commanders of sailing vessels to recapture
any prizes which pirates may make of Uni
ted States vessels and their cargoes, and the
Consular Courts now established by law ia
Eastern countries to adjudicate the cases, in
the event that this shuuid not be objected to
be the local authorities. If any good reason
exists why we should persevere longer in
withholding our recognition of the indepen-
nence and sovereignty of Hayti, I am upa-
ble to discover it.
Unwilling, however, to inaugurate a revel
policy in regard to them without the appro-
bation of Congress I submit for your con-
sideration the expediency of #1 appropria-
tion for maintaining a char “affairs near
each of thuse new States ; it dies not admit
of a doubt that important commercial advan-
tages m'ght be secured by favorable treaties
with them.
The operation of the Treasury during the
period which has e'apsed since your adjourn-
ment, hav: been conducted with signal suc
cers. The patriotism of the people has plac-
ed at the disposal (f the Government, the
large means demanded by the publie exigen-
cies. Much of the National Loan bas been
taken by eitizens of the industrial classes,
whose ccnfidence in their country’s faith,and
zeal for their country’s deliverance frem the
present peril, have induced them to contrib-
ute to the support of the Government the
whole of their limited ncquisitions. This
fact impoees peculiar obligations upon us to
economy in disbursement and energy in uc
tion,
The revenucs from all sources, ircluding
loans for the financial year, ending on rhe
30th of June, 1861, was $86 835,900 27, and
the expenditures for the sume reriod, inctu=
ding payments on account of the public debr,
were $84,578,834 47, leaving a balance in the
Treasury, on the 1st of July, of $2,257 G65 -
80. For the first quarter of the financial
year, ending on the 30tb of Septem ber, 1861,
the receipts from all sources inc uding the
balance of the lst of July, were $102,532 ~
509 27, and the expenses $98 239.733 09 ;
leaving a balance on the 1st of Octover, 1861.
of $4.292.776 18.
Estimates for the remaining three quar-
tera of the year, and for the financial year of
1861, together with his views of ways and
means for meeting the demands contempla-
ted by them, w 11 be submitted to Congress
by the Secretary of the Treasury.
It is gratifying to know that the expendi-
tures made necessary by the rebellion
are not beyond the resources of the loyal
people, and to believe that the same patriot-
ism which has thus far sustained the Guv-
ernment will continue to sustain it till peace
and union shall again bless the lanu.
I respectfully refer to the report of the
Secretary of War for information respecting
the numerical strength of the army, and for
recommendations having in view an increase
of its efficacy and the well-being of the vari-
ous branches of the service entrusted to bie
care. Itis gratifying to know that the pa-
triotism of the people has proved equal to the
ocoasion, and that the number of troops ten
dered great as'y exceeds the force which Con
gress authorized me to call into the field.
I refer with pleasure to those portions of
his report wh.ch make allusion to the eredi
table degree of discipline already attained hy
our troops and to the excellent sanitary
condition of the entire army.
The reeommendation of the Secretary for
an organization of the malitia upon a uni-
form basis is a subject of vital importance to
the future safety of the country, and is com-
mer.ded to the serious attention of Congress.
The large addition tJ the regular army in
conneztion with the defection that has so
considerably diminished the number of its
officers, gives peculiar importance to his rec-
ommendation for increasing the ccrps of Ca-
dets to the greatest capacity in the Military
Academy.
By mere omission, I presume, Congress
has failed to provide Chaplains for bospitals
occupied by volunteers, This subject was
brought to my notice, and I was induced to
draw up the form of a letter, one copy of
which, properly addressed, has been deliver-
ed to each of the persons, and at the dates
respectively named, and stated in a schedule
containing also the form of the letter (letter
marked A), and herewith transmitted.
The genlemen 1 duderstood entered upon
the duties designated at the times respec
tively stated in the schedule, and have labor-
ed faitbfully there ever since. I therefore
recommend that they be compensated at the
same rates a8 Cbaplaing in the Army, furs
ther suggesting that general provisions be
made for Chaplains to serve at Hospitals as
well as with regiments.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
presents in detail the operations of that
branch «f the service, the activity and ener-
gy which have characterized its administras
tioc and the results of the measures to ins
crease its efficienny and power.
Such have been the additions by construc
tion and purshasc, that it may almost be said
a Navy has been created and brought into
servige singe vur difficulties commenced. Be-
sides blockading our extensive coast, squid:
rons larger than «ver bef re assembled under
our flag, have been put afloat and perform-d
deeds which have increased our Naval re-
nown.
I would invite special attention to the ree-
omirendation of the Seeretary for a more per-
fest organization or the Navy, by introducing
«dditional grades in the servize. The pres-
ent organization is defective and unsatisfac-
tory, acd the suggestions submitted by the
Department will, it is believed, if adopted,
obviate the d'ffical ies alluded to, promote
harmony, and increase the efficiency of the
avy.
There are three vacancies on the bench of
the Supreme Court; two by the decease of
Justices Daniels and McLean. and one by
the resignation of Justice Campbell. I have
80 far forborne making nominations to fill
these vancancies fyr reason which I will now
state: I'w of the out-going Judges resided
in the States now overrun hy revolt,so thas if
their successors were appointed in the same
localities, they couid not now serve upon
their circuit, and many of the most ecompe-
tent men there probably would nor take the
personal hazard of accepting to serve, even
here, upon the Supreme bench. I have been
unwilling to throw all the appointments
Northward, thus disabling myeelf from do-
ing justice to the South, on return of peace,
althcugh IT may remark that to transfer to
the North one which has hitherto been in the
South, would not, with reference to territory
and population, be unjust.
Daring the long and brilliant judicial ca-~
reer of Judge M’Lean, his circuit grew into
an empire altogether too large for any one
Judge to give the eourts therein more than a
nominal artendance,rising in population from
1,470,018 in 1830, t» 6,151,405 in 1860. Be-
sides this, the country generally has out-
grown our present judicial system. If uni
fcrmity was at all intended, the system re-
qaires that all the States shall Le accommo-
dated with Circuit courts attended by Su-
preme Judges, while, in fact, Wisconsin,
Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Florida, Texas,
California and Oregon have never had any
such Courts.
Nor can this well be remedied, without
a change of system, because the adding of
Judges to the ‘Supreme Court, ensugh for
the accommodation of all parts of the coun-
try with Circuit Courts, which create a court
altogether to numerous for a judicial body of
any sort. And the evil if it be one, will in
crease as new Statea come into the Union, —
Circuit Courts are useful, or they are not
useful. If useful. ny State should be denied
them, If not useful, no State should bave
thom. Let t: em be provided for all, or abol-
ished to all.
Three modijeations occur to me, either of
which | think would be an improvement up-
on our present system. Let the Supreme
Court be of convevient number in every event
Thew first, let the whole country be divided
info circuits of convenient size, the Supreme
Judges to serve in a number of them corre-
sponding to their owo number, and the inde
pendent Circuit adges be provided for all
for all the rest ; or, sccondiy. lev the Supreme
Judges he relieved from Curcuit duties, and
Circuit Judges provided for atl the Circuits §
or, thirdly, dispense with the Circuit Courts
altogether leaving the Judicial functions
wholly to the District Court and an indepen-
dent Supreme Court.
I respacttuliy reccommend to the consider-
ation of Congress the preseut condition of the
Siarate Laws, with the hope that Congress
will be able to fi. d an easy remedy for many
of the conveniences and evils which constant
ly embarass those engaged in the practical
administration of them. Since the organiza-
ton of Government, Congress has enact d
some five thoussud acts and joint resolutions
which fill more than six thiusand closely
printed pages, and are scattered through
many volumes.
Many of these acts have been drawn in
haste aud without sufficient caution, so that
their provisions are often obscure in them-
selves, or ‘n conflict with each other; or at
least, so doubtful as to recder it very difficult
or even the best informed person to ascer-
rain precisely whut-the statute law really is.
It seems to me very important that the stat-
ute laws should be made as plain and intelli-
gible as possible, and be reduced tu as small
a compass a8 my conform with the fullness
and recision of the Legislature and the per-
specuity of its language. This, well done,
would, T think, greatly facilitate the labors
of those whose duty 1t is to ass 8: in the ad-
ministration of the laws. and would be a last-
irg benefit to the people by placing ielore
them, in a more acceprabie and intelligible
form, the laws which so deeply concern their
interests and ‘heir duty. I am informed by
some whore opinion I respect. thav all the
acts Hf Congress now in force. and of a per-
manent and general nature, might be revised
and rewritten, so as to be embraced in one
volume, or, at most, in *w) volumes, of ordi-
nary and eowmereial size, and I respecttutly
rea-mmend to Con.ress to consider onthe
suhject, and if my suggestion be approved. to
devise such plan as to their wisdom sball
seem most proper for he attainment of the
end proposed.
One of the unavoidable consequences of tho
insurrection is the entire suspension, in
many places, of all the ordinary means of
administering civil justice by the officers and
the forms of existing law. This is the ease
in whole, or in part, in the insurgent States,
and &s our armies advance and tase possers~
ion of parts of those States, it becomes more
apparent,
There are na enurts or officers to which the
citizens of other S'ares may apply for the en-
forcement of their lawful claims against the
citizens of the insurgemt States, and their
vast amount of debt, constituting uch claims
some have estimated at two bundred millions
of dollars due, the large part from insu) gents
in open rebellion, to 1)yal citizens who are
even now making great sacrifices in the dis-
charge of their patriotic duty to support the
Government.
Uuder these cirzumstances I have been vr
gently solicited t» establish by military vow
er Courts to administer summary justice in
such cases. I have thus far declined to Jo it
not because I bad any doubt that the eid
proposed, the colieerion of the debts, wax just
and right in itself, but because I have been
unwilling t7 go beyond the pressure of ne-
cessity, in the unusual exercise of power, —
But the powers of Congress, I suppose, are
equal 10 the anomalous oevasion, and I there-
fore refer the whole matter to Congress with
the hope that a plan may be devised for the
administration of jusrice in all such parts of
the insurgent States and territories as may
be under the controi of this Governmen',
wither by a voluntary return to allegiance
and order, or by the power of sur arms.-—
Tris, however, not to be a permanent insti-
tution, but a temporary substitute, and to
as 8001 ag the ordinary courts can be re-es-
tablished in peace. It is important that
some more convenient means should be pro-
vided, if possible, for the adjustment of
claims against the Government, especially ir
view of their increased number by reason of
the war
It is as much the duty of Government to
render prompt justice against itself in favor
of citizens, ns it is to administer the same
between private individuals—the investiga-
tion and adjudication of claims in their hands
belong to the judicial department. Besides,
it is arparent that the attention of Congress
will be more than usually engaced for some
tie to come with great national questions,
It wae intended by the organization of the
Corre of Claims, mainly to remove this
branch of the business from the Illalls of
Congress But while the Court has proved
0 be an effective and valuable means of in
vestigation, it fails in a great degree to effect
the object of its creation for want of power to
make its judgments final. Fully aware of
the delicacy, not to eay the dauger, of this
subjeet, I eommend to your careful consider-
anos whether this power of making judg-
ments final may not properly be given to the
Court, reserving the right of appeal on ques-
tions of law to the Supreme Court—with
such other provisions as experience may
have shown to be necessary.
I ask attention to the report cf the Post-
master General, the following being a saum-
mary: statement of that Department :—The
revenue from all sources during the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1861, including the an-
ual permanent appropriation of seven bun-
dred thousand dollars for the trapsportatien
of free mail matter, nine millions, forty-nine
thousand two hundred and ninety-six and
forty cents being about twe per cent. less
than the revenue.
For 1860. the expenditures were $43,600.
750 11, showing a deerease of more than
eight per cent., as compared with those of
the present year, and leaving an excess of
expenditures over the revenue for the last fis
eal vear, of $4.557 462 71. The gross rev.
enue for the year ending June 30th, 1863, is
estimated at un increase of four par cent, up-
on that of 1861, making $8 683,000, tc
which should be added the earnings of the
Department in carrying free matter, viz:
$700.000, making $9,383,000. The total ex-
penditares for 1863 are estimated at $12,520,
000, leaving an estimated deficiency of three
millions one bundred and forty five thous
and dollars to be supplied from the Treasu
ry, in addition to the permanent appropria
ore
The present insurrection shows, I think,
that the extention of this district across the
Potomac river at the time of establishing the
Capital here was eminently wise, and conse-
quently that the relinquishment of that por.
tion of which lies within the State of Vir-
ginia was unwise and dangerous. I submit
for your consideration the expediency of re~
gaining that part of the district, and the
restoration of the original boundaries there-
of, through negotiations with the State of
Virginia.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior,
with the accompanying documents, exhibits
the condition of the several branches of the
public service (P 2 and 3) pertaining to that
Department. The depressing influences of
the insurrection have been especially felt in
the operations of the Patent and General
Land Offices.
The cash receipts from the sales of public
lands during the past year have exceeded the
expenses of our land system only about two
hundred thousand dolla 8. The sales Lave
been entirely suspended in the Southern
States, while the interruption to the business
of the country and the diversion of large
numbers of men from labor to military ser=
vice, have obstructed settlements of the new
States ard Territories of the Northwest.
The receipts of the Patent Office have dex
clined in nine months about $100.000, ren-
dering a large deduction of the force em-
ployed necessary to make it self sustaining.
The demands upon the Pension Office will
be largely increased by the insurrection.
Numerous applications for pensions, based
upon the casualities of the existing war,
have already been made. There is reason to
believe that many who are now upon the
pension rolls, and in receipt of the bounty of
the Government, are in the ranks of the io-
surgent army, giving them aid and comfort.
The Secretary of the Interior has directed a
suspension of the payment of the pensions of
such persons upos proof of their disloyalty.
I recommend that Congress authorize that
officer to cause the names of such persons to
be stricken from the pension roll.
The relations of the Government with the
Indian tribes have been greatly disturbed by
the insurrection, especially in the Southern
Superintendy, and in that of New Mexico.
The Indian country south of Kansas, is in
the possession of insurgents from Texas and
Arkansas
The agents of the United States Govern
ment appointed since the 4th of Marek for
this superintendency, have been unable to
reach their posts, while the most of those
who were in the office before that time, have
espoused the insurrectionary ceuse, and as
sume to exercise thc powers of agents by
virtue of commissions {row the insurrection-
18ts.
It has been stated in the public press that
a por ion of these Indians have been organ-
ized as a military force, and are attached to
army of t e insurgents. Although the Gov-
ernment has no official information upon
this subject, letters have been written to the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs by several
prominent Chiefs. giving assurance of their
loyalty to the nited Sta es and expressing
a wish for the presence of their troops to
protect them. Tt is believed that upon the
rep ssession of the country, by the Federal
forces, the Indi~ns will readily cease al! hos-
tile demonstrations and resume their former
relations to the Government.
Agriculture, confessedly the largest inter~
est of the nation, has not a Department or a
buresu but a clerkship only assigned to it
in the Government. While it is fortunate
that this great interest is so independent in
its nature as to not have demanded and ex-
torted more from the Government, I respect-
fully ask Congress to consider whether
something more cannot be given voluntarily
with general advantag-.
Annual reports exhibiting the condition of
our agriculture, commerce and manufacture,
would present a fund of information of great
practical value to the country. While I
make no suggestion as to the details, I ven~
ture the opinion that an Agricultural and
Statistical Bureau might profitably be or«
ganized.
The execution of the laws for the sup-
pression of the African Slave Trade, has been
confided to the Department of the Interior. —
which have been made for the suppression of
this inhuman traffic, have been recently at-
tended with unusual success. Five vessels
being fitted out for the slave trade have been
seized and condemned, Two mates of ves-
sels engaged in the trade, and one person
engaged in equipping & slaver, have been
convicted and subjected to the penalty of
fine and imprisonment ; and one captain tak-
en with a cargo of Africans on board his
vessel, has been convicted of the highest
grade of offence under our laws, the punish
ment of which 1s death.
The Territories of Colorado, Dacota and
Nevada created by the last Congress, have
been organized, and civil administration has
been inaugurated therein under auspices
especially gratifying, when itis considered
that that the leaven of treason was found
existing in some of these new countries
when the Federal officers arrived there. The
abundant native 1esources of these territo~
ries, with the security and protection offered
by an organized Government, will doubtless
invite to them a large immigration, when
peace shall restore the business of the coun-
try to its accustomed channels.
I submit the resolutions of the Legisla-
ture of Colorado, which evidence tha patiiot-
ic spirit of the people of the Territory.
So far the authority of the United States
has been upheld in all the Territories, as it
is hoped it will be in the future. 1 com-
mend their interests and defence to the en
lightened and generous care of Congress.
I recommend to the favorable considera~
tion of Congress the interes s of the Distric
of Columbia. ‘I'he insurrection has been the
cause of much suffering and sacrifices to its
inhabitants, and as they have norepresenta
tive in Congress that body should not over
look their just claims upon the Government.
At your late session a joint resolution was
adopted authorizing the President to take
measures for facilitating a proper represen-
tation of the industrial interests of the Unit-
ed States. at the Exhibition of the Industry
at all jana, ta ba Laldan at Tandas - <ha
year 1862: :
1 regret to say, I have been unable to give
personal attention to this subject—a subject
at once so interesting in itself. and so exten-
sively and mtimately connected wita the
material prosperity of the world. Through
the Secretaries of State and of the Interior,
a plan or system has been devised and part-
ly matured, and which will be laid before
you.
y Under and by virtue of an Act of Con-
gress, entitled ‘An Act to Confiscate Prop-
erty used for Insurrectionary, Purposes,”
approved August 6th, 1861, the legal claims
of certain persons to the labor and service of
certain other persons have become forfeited,
and numbers of the latter thus liberated are
already dependent on the United States, and
must be provided for in some way. Besides
this, it is not impossible that some of the
States will pass similar enactments for their
own benefit respestively, and by operation of
which persons of the same class will be
thrown upon them for disposal.
In such case T recommend that Congress
provide for accepting such persons from
such States according to some moce of val-
ation in lien pro tanto of direct taxes, or
upon some other plan to be agreed upon
with such States respectively, that such
persons on such acceptances by the General
Gevernment be at once deemed free, and
that in any event steps be taken for coloniz-
ing both classes (or the one first mentioned
if the other shall not be brought into exist
ence) at some place or places in a climate
congenial to them. It might be we'l to con-
sider too, whether the free colored people
already in the United States, could not so
far as individuals may desire, be included in
such colonization.
To carry out the plan of colonization may
involve the acquiring of. territory and also
the appropriation of money beyond that to
be expended in the territorial acquisition. —
Having practised the acquisition of territory
for nearly sixty years, the question of the
Constitutioral power to do so is no longer an
open one with us. The power was ques
tioned at first by Mr. Jefterson, who, bow
ever, in the purchase of Louisiana, yielded
his scruples on the plea of great expedien~
cy. -
Yi it be said that the only legitimate ob
fect of acquiring territory is to furnish
homes for emigration of colored men leaves
additional room for white men remaining or
coming here. Mr. Jefferson, however placed
the importance of procuring Louisiana more
on political and commercial grounds, than
on providing room for population.
On this whole proposition, including the
appropriation of moneys with the acquisition
of territory, does not the expediency amount
Government its If cannot be perpetuated if
the war continues.
In considering the policy to be adopted for
suppressing the insurrection, [ have been
anxious and careful that the inevitable con-
flict for this purpose shall mot degenerate
into a violent and remorse ess revolutionary
struggle. [ have therefore, in ever, case,
thought 1t proper to keep the integrity of
the Union prominent, as the primary object
ance, to the more deliberate action of the
legislature. :
In the exercise of my best discretion 1
to absolute necessity. without which the!
of th contest on our part, leaving all oues- |
tions which are not of vital militarv iimport~
have adhered to the blockade of the ports J
held by the insurgents, instead of putting in
force by proclamation the law of Congress
enacted at the late session for closing these
ports. So also, obeying the dictates of pru-
dence as well as the obligations of the law,
instead of transcending 1 have adhered to
the act of Congress to confiscate property
used for insurrectionary pur poses., Ifa new
law upon the same subject shall be propos«
ed, its propriety will be duly considered.
The Upton must be preserved, and hence
all indispensable means must he employed.
We shall not be in haste to determine that
radical and extremes, which may reach the
Ire as well ag the disloyal, are indispensa-
LO
The Inaugural address at the beginning
of the Administration, and the messages to
Congress at the late special session, were
both mainly devoted to the domestic con-
Tt is a subject of gratulation that the efforts f troversy out of which the insurrection and
consequent war have sprung.
Nothing more occurs to add or subtract to
or from the principles or general purposes
stated and expressed in that docament.—
The last ray of hope for preserving the Un-
ion peaceably, expired at the assault upon
Fort Sumpter, and a general review of what
has occurred since may not be unprofitable.
What was painfully uncertain then, 1s
much better defined and more distinct now.
and the progress of events is plainly in the
right direction. The insurgents’ confidently
claimed a strong supportt from North of Ma-
son & Dixon's line, and the friends of the
Union were not free from apprehension on
that point. = This however was soon settled
definitely and on the right side,
South of the line, noble little Delaware
led off mght from the first. Maryland was
made to seem against the Union. Qur sol-
diers were assaulted, bridges were burned,
and railroads torn up within her ltmts, and
we were many days, at one time, without
the ability to bring a single regiment over
her soil to the Capital.
Now her bridges and railroad are repaired
and open to the Goverment. She already
gives seven regiments to the cause of the
Union, and none to the enemy, and her
people at a regular election have sustained
the Union by a large majority, and a larger
aggregate vote than they ever before gave
tp any candidate on any question,
Kentucky too, for some time in doubt,
is now decidely, and, I think, unchangeably.
ranged on the side of the Union. Missouri
is comparatively quiet, and 1 believe cannot
again be overrun by the insurrecfionists.
These three States of Maryland, Kentucky
and Missouri, neither of which would promise
a single soldier at first, have now an aggzre-
gate of not less than forty thousand in the
field, for the Union while of their citizens,
certainly, not more than a third of that
number, and they: of doubtful whereabouts
and doubtful existence, are in arms against
it.” After a somewhat bloody struggle of
SU West {irdina; 1eaving (helh” fastens
of their own country. }
An insurgent force or about fifteen hun+
dred for months dominating the narrow pe-
ninsuiar region of the counties of Accomac
and Northampton, and known as the East-
ern Share of Virginia, together with some
contiguous parts of Maryland, have laid
down their arms, and the peopte there have
renewed their allegiance to ant aecepted the
protection of the old flag. This leaves no
armed in urrection north of the Potomac or
east of the Chesapeake.
Also, we have obtained a footing at each
of the isolated points on the southern coast
of Hatteras, Port Royal, Tybee is!and, near
Savano :h, and Ship Island ; and we like~
wise have some general accounts of popular
movements in behalf of the Union, in North
Carolina and Tennessee. These things dem-
onstrate that the cause of the Union 5 ads
vancing steadily southward.
Since your last adjournment, Licotenauts
General Scott has retired from the head of
the army. During his long life the nation
has wot been unmindful of his merit. Yet
on calling to mind how faithfully, ably and
brilliantly he has served the country from a
time far back in onr history, when few of
the now living had been torn, and thenece-
forward continually, I cannot bat think we
are still his debtors. 1 subm it, therefor. for
your consideration, what further mark of
recognition is due to Lim and to ourselves
as a grateful people. a
With the retirement of General Scott,
came the executive duty of appointing in His
stead a Generalsin-Chief of the army. It is
a fortunate circumstance tbat neither in
council or country so far as 1 know, any
differences of opinion as to the proper person
to be selected. The retiring Chief repeat-
edly expressed his judgment in favor of
General McClellan for the position, and in
this the nation decreed to give & unanimous
concurrence.
The designation of Gen. McClellan is there-
fore, in a considerable degree, the selection
of the country as well as of the Executive
and hence there is better reason to hope
that there will be given him the confiden:e
and cordial support thus, by fair implication
promised and without which he cannot with
so full efficiency serve the country. 1t has:
ben said that one bad general is better
than two good ones, and the saying is trne,
if taken to wean no more than that our
ary is better i a single mind,
though inferior, thai two superior ones
at variance and cross purposes with each
| other. And the same is true in all joint ob-
| servations wherein those engagel can have
| none but a common end’ in view and can
| differ only as to the choice of means.
In a storm at sea, no one can wish the
| ship to sink, and yet sot unfrequently, all
go down together, because too many will
direct, and no single mind can be allowed to
control.
| It continues to develop that the insurrec-
tion. is largely, if not not exclusively, a war
upon the first principles of popular govern-
ment— the rights of the people. Conclusive
evidence of this is found in the most grave
and maturely cons dered public documents,
as well as 10 the general tone of the insurg-
ents
| In these documents we find the. abridge~
| ment of the existing right of suffrage, and
| the denial to the people of all right to par-
(Concluded on fourth paze.)