Wb t iB cbto xb 3Juqnhrcx
B. F MpNEIL. Editor and Proorietor.
(the maim
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CARELESS HUSBANDS.
My liege lord sits in his library chair,
And I sat idly by;
My lord weary a grave and studions air,
Aid I dare say so do I-
Bul we look grave from h different cause—
lis i buried in study, while 1
Wonder if ti iV is our ilreitm of t>vo,
And look in the tire an i sigh.
Booki, books, books; afdrcst of books
Frown on me from every wall :
I suppose I should relish sucb friend# as these,
But I don't like reading at all.
There is plenty to learu, in thia lift of ours,
To love, to enjov, OT to scorn.
And I ear* not what the okl Romans did
Long age* ere 1 was born.
And while I look in the fire and sigh,
And my liege deigns not a word,
An organ strikes up, ixt the street outside,
A tuae that I've often heard—
A tone of my girlhood's wild young days—
How strangely it thrill* me now !
My heart with a bound springs up in my throat,
And my head on my breast I bow.
I s -e the dear friend# of the '-uiiid lang syno,"
With their greetings kind and warm;
The face# that gathered around me one*
Alike in sunshine or vtoriu.
And 'mid tb* form# and face# that throng IO fort
There is one that is cold and paie:
It look# down on me now in the mystic porch
Of the moss-grown cot in the vale,
I hear rhcrn this moment, those low sad tones—
"l coufe! better bear to part
If I did not know, in the land of the foe,
Live* the man who claims your heart."
"A spirit whisper# me, lor*, that soon
lly young life's star shall set;
And you may smile and mock a# you will.
But yoa'l! marry the Northman yet."
Five long veari since that pale sad face
I'aestd away for aye from my side;
He sleep* it! hi# far-off Southern grave.
And I am the Northman'# bride.
But hrs was the true.u and purest heart
Of all that ever I met:
And in heaven I know that loyal eoul
Watches over it# earth-love yet.
The dear face# throng, and the kind tones ceme
With the tender burden of obi;
I wt#h I couid always hate been a girl.
Or that husband's were not so cold.
Ob! husbands wi?e, do yea never reflect
When you've caged your pretty birds,
By waiting and watching so many days,
And wa?tiDg such tender word# 7
P<> yen never reflect what great warm hearts
We women all have, and how true?
And that all a man's eoul. and half of his time,
Are nothing more than our due?
liu you never think in your bile chat
With men by night or by day,
That j our wife is moping alone at homo,
And may wonder why yon stay 7
Or if home once more, with a careless air
Xo you, nozrng on paper or book,
E'en notice the favorite dress she has donned
By so much as a pleasant look *
No tender word for the car which knows
No music like unto this 7
Do you think she will never ask herself
If this can bs wedded bliss 7
You marry a girl at whose feet have knelt
Full many before you came ;
And you say. "I will do whatever I please,
But eh- must be always the same."
Take heed, vain sir, while you smoke and reed,
Or lounge at the club or play,
Lest she hear a tune on the orgaa outside,
That she knew in the olden day !
And that faces that loved her come not hack
On the music's billowy tide:
While her true heart learns its first regret
By her careless husband's side.
to olß FAMILY JAB."
A flketch of Early Married Life.
Tom and I never quarreL It has come to be •
sort of byword with the family, when they wish to
express an extraordinary degree of connubial felicity,
'As happy as Tom and Louise!' So you see our
reputation is established. But we did have a little
difficulty once, and it had nearly proved a serious
one. Even now, I never hear the story of the young
couple who were sundered for life by that miserable
little rat or mouse, whichever it was, (I always have
beliaved she was right) without shuddering to think
of the awful fate that Tom and I escaped.
But though it was providentially averted, 1 am go
ing to write the history of our quarrel as a warning
to ali young couples.
It had tii ways been one ot Tom's hobbies that peo
ple should go to housekeeping as soon as they < are
married.
'What do they rnarrv for,' he would sav, 'but do
mestic comfort? and pray how are they to find it in
a crowded hotel or boarding house.'
And as I perfectly agreed with Tom, to lOUM
keeping we went as soon as we returned from our
wedding tour.
We of course experienced the usual amount of
mistakes and failures, incident to young married
people, but at the end of two months we found our
selves fairly settled down. Our sole domestic was
a respectable matron of mature age, whose larger
half tit was worse, also, in this case,- had deserted
her tome years before, owing to a slight conjugal
difficulty, in which, as is ootumwual in Irish broils,
whisky had bWen an important auxiliary. Mother
bad taken pity on the deserted wife, and, having
trained her in all domestic dnties. now made her o
ver to me as help. Notwithstanding the snmerous
failings of her departed spousa Mrs. Maenally still
cherished his memory, and spoke of him with ten
derness and regret.
'Nure! Mrs Preston.' she would say, it was partly
my own suit. Pat was always quick, loike, and i
should have borne with Lis iiitle failings!'
And when I mildly hinted that there was a neces
tary limit to human endurance, she would shake bar
head with a sigh.
'I should La' been more patient, sure, mum :
wasn't he jut me own husband, after all V I used
to come out of the kitchen after such interviews,
feeling quite instructed, and I didn't altogetht r
like to hear Tom laugh, when I told him of our do
mestic's forgiving spirit
'How blessings brighten. Ac.he would say.—
'He's the dear departed Maer.ally, now ; he would
have been, that ould brute of a Pat, if he had siay
A LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWSPAPER, DEVOTED TO POLITICS, EDUCATION, LITERATURE AND MORALS.
ed.' But in my seeret heart I thought Tom appre
ciated Alns Maenally, though he would make fun of
her to me. It was one of Tom'# failings' in those
days to make fun of everything. One of them !
He had anothes. He would keep a dog '
Now I am not averse to pets in the abstract, and
I have an alfections for eats, but a dog ! They are
my pet aversion! And Tom's dog Rover was no
exception. It was not 'love me, love my dog,' in
this case, for Tom's dog I did not love, whatever
might have been said of Tom.
Now when I say that Tom would keep a dog, I do
not mean that he persisted in this course against
my expressed wish to the contrary. In fact, there
had been a sort of compromise made between us.—
If I hated dogs, he detested cats, and a pet cat was
one of my fey hobbies. So we signed a sort of hol
low truce, and Rover and Tabby became
domesticated in our household. They were very
good friends themselves, which was a mercy, asthey
mijrht otherwise have caused a rupture between
their master and mistress, each being bound to up
hold and sustain his or her respective appendage. —
But for awhile matters went on swimmingly. One
afternoon Tom came in to tea rather earlier than
usual. 'Lou,'he said, 'I have a present for you,
from grandmother" I had a note from her at the
office this morning, asking me to call over there,
and!went. She had intended to give you some
thing when you were married, but couldn't quite
decide then what it should be : and now 6he wants
me to see to getting it over here. I'll drive around,
I think in the morning.'
'But you havn't told me what it is, Tom!,
'Ah. my dear! so I havn't. You remember the
large jar that has always stood in grandmother's
parlor, filled witli rose leaves, I believe ? Well that's,
the "dentical thing." as Capen Cuttle used to say.—
How do you like it, Miss Lousy ?'
'o,' 1 said, .the one grandmother thought so much
of because it came from Holland, and has always
been in the family? lam delighted ; it wil look so
nicely in the parlor, Tom!'
'Glad you're pleased, my dear,' Tom said. 'T
used always to be stumbling over the confounded
thing at grandmother s but I'm more careful, now
I'm a married man !'
I had a few private doubts as to Tom's improve
ment in that respect, but they did not prevent my
pleasure when the next day he brought the jar home,
t greatly admired the effect of the blue and white
china, with its grotesque figures, against the" dark
marble of the mantle and hearth, and Tom himself
confessed it quite an addition to the room. And
when I had filled the jar with rose-leaves, the room
smeled like a garden, and tny pleasure in the pres
ent was wholly unalloyed. It was a week or two af
terward, that one afternoon Tom came from the of
fice early to take me to ride. 'Hurry and get ready,
Lou,' he said, 'we've no time to spare."
As there was no mortal reasou for our going or
returning at a particular time, I could not quite see
what the hurry was: but, like a dutiful wife, I made
no remarks, and put on my bonnetaud shawl as quick
ly as possible. Torn didn't come into the house at all,
but sat on the steps smoking, until I was ready.
'Did you shut the parlor door. Lou?' he asked, as
I joined him'; 'Rover and Tabby are in the house,
and might get in there, if the doors are left open.'
'Oh. j shut them ail!' I answered confidently;
"but Tabby could do no harm, at anv rate, and you
oughtn't to leave Rover in house, Tom.'
'Never mind, he's all right, audi won't forget
him again 1'
And, dismissing all care we gave ourselves up to
the pleasure of the ride. It wasjaitor dark when we
came home, and Tom left me at the door, driving
the horse to the stable himself. I went in. stepping
into the parlor a moment to light the gas before go
ing up stairs But, as it flashed up. what a sight
iqet. my horror-stricken eyes! Alas my beautiful
Holland jar was broken in pieces, the fragments lay
strewn around, and the rose-leaves were scattered
in all directions over the carpet. 'oh, that horrible
dog! 1 exclaimed involuntarily ;'I wish he was
killed!'
Just then I heard Tom come in. I rushed to meet
him. 'stark mad with grief."
'Tom ! Tom!' I said 'do but see what that dog of
your 3 has done!'
Tom contemplated the ruins, rut his hands in his
pockets, and began to whistle. Now if there is one
thing more aggravating than another to womankind,
it is to hear a man whistle in that way. It is tantal
izing, so expressive of doubt, of disbelief, in short,
of everything wounding to the feelings of a sensitive
person,
'You needn't whistle. Tom.' I said rather crossly.
'I wish somebody would drown that horrid Rover !'
'They'd find it a difficult process, my dear,' Tom
observed with a little chuckle. 'Rover swims like a
duck.'
i began to be a little indignant at Rover's master,
as well as at Rover, so I didn't take any notice of
that remark. Toin went on a little more seriously :
•Louise how do you know that Rover did the mis
chief ? You shouldn't condemn even a dog with'jut
proof. I Think it is quite as likely to have been
Tabby."
'Tabby, indeed!' I answered with an involuntary
burst of indignation. "How could the little thing
have knocked over that large heavy jar? Nonsense,
Tom, your partiality to Rover makes you blind to
his faults and quite unjust to poor Tabby. She was
far enough from here. I'm sure. Of course is was
your ugly, rough dog..
Tom's face grew a little red.
'Mv dear,' he said with great dignity, 'you allow
your feelings to run away with you. Perhaps it will
be as well to investigate the facts before you de
cided. If the door had been properly closed neither
dog nor cat could have come into the parlor. But
the tea-bell has rung, and you had better go up and
take off your things immediately."
Now ordinarily, Tom would have gone up with
me, but to-night he took ont his newspaper and
seated himself in an easy chair, not vouchsafing a
single glance at me. This behavior, with his refer
ence to my having left the door open, was almost
too much. Up in my room, alone I was sorely
tempted to sit down and have a good cry, poor wo
man's usual resort. But there was some anger
mingled with my grief, and Tom shouldn't see me
cry yet! So I choked down my tears, re arranged
my hair with due deliberatiou. and walked down
stairs with as much dignity as Tom himself.
'Tom,' I said, as I passed the parlor door, 'I am
readv for tea now.
I didn't wait for nim as I usually did, but I did
go through the hall and down the stairs rather slowly
hoping that he would join me. He did not, howev
er, but rose leisurely, folding up his his newspaper,
and sauntered along behind me, whistling. It was
the first meal that we had not gone down together.
I think Mrs. Macnally must have seen something a
little peculiar in our behavior, for she gave us both a
keen look, bat HS she never spoke unless she was
spoken to, she 'made no sign," bat performed her
offices at the table in the usual way. Indeed, there
was almost a silence in the room. Tom looked
highly indifferent., and I, extremely sulky.
At last, as Mrs Macnally, her mission being ended,
was about to leave the room, Tom spoke—
Mrs Macnally,' he said, 'can you tell me who
broke the large jar, in the parlor?'
•Tbera. sir,.' Mrs Macnally began as far from the
point as possible, 'ye see, I was at me work in the
kitchan when yez wint out. and for a while the house
was jist as still as nade be. But bime by, 1 hears an
awful nixe, and before I cud git to the door, Tabby
rin by as hard as iver she cud, and Rover a cbasin af
ar fear. Tbeyuearedup the stairs, as if they was
■sad. and right into the parlor and I after them.—
Tabby, she jist run round and round, and Rover af
ter her, an at last she jumpad right on the idgo of the
jar, and Rover dashed right aginst it, and ouver it
wint and broke ail in paces-. And so, sir ye sees,'
she -faid, turning from me, to whom she had addres
; fed the main part of her narrative, to answer Tom's
! queation. 'I can't jist say who it was did it for it
I was raly both of thim. 1 expect it was jist loike all
j troubles botwane folks—sonic fanlt on Imth sides.' —
! Torn gave a glance at me. 'That will do, now, Mrs
I Macnally,' he said. And our factotum' departed
into her own regions. As she closed the door, Tom
left his chair and came around to me.
'Lou,'he said putting his arm around me, 'Mrs
Macnally is a wise woman. I accept a full share of
the biame, for myself and Rover. We're both veiy
sorry, and will never dc so again.'
'0 Tom, I said, 'I was my fault after all; 1 was
, very cross, and I'm so sorry.'
'Kiss and be friends, then,' Tom said, suiting the
action to the word. And with that kiss ends the
' history of our first and last 'family jar.'—S. li.
BEDFORD, Pa., FRIDAY. DECEMBER 16, 1864.
MESSAGE.
Fellow Citizens of the Senate
and House of representatives :
Again the blessings of health and abundant har
vests claim our prot'oundest gratitude to Almighty
God.
The condition of our foreign affairs is reasonably
satisfactory. Mexico continues to be a theatre tof
civil was. While our political relations with that
country have undergone no change we have at the
same time strictly maintained neutrality between
the beligerents.
At the request of the States of Costa Rica and Ni
caragua, a competent engineer has been authorized
to make a survey of the river San Juan, and the port
of San Juan. It is a source of much satisfaction
that the difficulties which for a moment excited
some political apprehensions, and caused a elosing
of the inter-oceanic transit route, have been amica
bly adjusted, and that there is a good prospect that
the route will soon be reopened, with aninerease of
capacity and adaptation. We could not exaggerate
either the commercial or the political importance of
that great improvement.
It would be doing injustice to an important South
American State not to acknowledge the directness,
frankness and cordiality with which the United
States of Columbia have entered into intimate rela
tions with this Government. A claims convention
has been constituted to complete the unfinished work
of the one which closed its Session in 1861.
The new liberal Constitution of Venezuela having
gone into effect with the universal acquiescence of
the people, the Government under it has been rec
ognized, aud diplomatic intercourse with it has o
pened in a cordial and friendly spirit. The long
deferred Aves Island claim has been satisfactory
paid and adjusted. Mutual paymeuts have been
made of the claims awarded by the late joint com
mission for the settlement of claims between the U
uited States and Peru. An earnest aud cordial
friendship continues to exist between the two coun
tries, and such efforts as were in mypower have been
used to remove misunderstanding and avert a
threatened war between Peru and Spain.
Our relations are of the most friendly nature with
Chili, the Argentine Republic, Bolivia, Costa Rica,
Paraguay, San Salvador and Hayti. During the
past year no differences of any, kind havearisen with
any of those Republics, and on the other hand their
sympathies with the United States are constantly
expressed with cordiality and earnestness.
The claim arising from the seizure of the cargo of
the brig Maeedoniau, 1821, has been paid in full by
the Government of Chili.
Civil war continues in the Spanish part of San
Domingo, apparently without prospect of an early
close.
Official correspondence has been freefy opened
with Liberia, and it gives us a pleasing view of so
cial aud political progress in that Republic. It may
be expected to derive new vigor from American in
fluences, improved by the rapid disappearance of
Slavery in the United States. I solicit your author
ity to furnish to the Republic a gunboat at moderate
co.st, to be reimbursed to the United States bv in
stalments. Such a vessel is needed for the safety
of that State against the native African races, arid
in Liberiao hands it would be more effective in ar
resting the African slave trade than a squadron in
our own hands. The possession of the least organ
ized naval force would stimulate a generous ambi
tion in the Republic, and the confidence which we
should manifest by furnishing it would win forbear
ance and favor towards the colony from all civilized
nations.
The proposed overland telegraph between Ameri
ca and Europe, by the way of Bthrings Straits and
Asiatic Russia, which .wds sanctioned by Congress
at the last session, lias wen undertaken, uiiuorrcry
favorable circumstances, by an association of Ameri
can citizens, with the cordial good-will and support,
as well of this Government as of those of Great
Britian and Russia. Assurances have been received
from most of South American States of their high
appreciation of the enterprise, and their readiness
to co-operate in constructing lines tributary to that
world-encircliDg communication. 1 learn with
much satisfaction that the noble design of a tele
graphic communication between the eastern const of
America and Great Britian has been renewed, with
full expectation of its early accomplishment.
Thus it is hoped that with the return of domestic
peace the country will be able to resume with ener
gy and advantage its former high career of com
merce and civilization.
Our very popular aud estimable representive in
Egypt died in April last. An unpleasant altercation
whish arose between the temporary incumbent of
the office of the Government of the Pacha resulted
iu a suspension of intercourse. The evil was
promptly corrected on the arrival of the successor
in the Consulate, and our relations with Egypt, as
well as our relations with the Barbary Powers, are
entirely satisfactory.
The rebellion r.men nus so loug been flagrant in
China has at last been suppressed with the Co-opera
ting good officers of this Government and ot the
other Western Commercial States. The Judicial
Consular establishment there has become very diffi
cult and onerous, aud it will need legislative revis
ion to adapt it to the extension of our commerce,
and to the more intimate intercourse which has been
instituted with the Government and people of that
vast Empire. China seems to be accepting with
hearty good-will the conventional laws which regu
late commercial and social intercourse among the
Western nations.
Owing to the peculiar situation of Japan, mid the
anomalous form of its Government, the action of
that Empire in performing treaty stipulations is in
constant aud capricious. Nevertheless, good pro
gress has been effected by the Western Powers mov
ing with enlightened concert. Our own pecuniary
claims have been allowed or put in course of settle
ment, and the inland sea hasbeeu reopened to com
merce. There is reason also to believe that these
proceedings have increased rather than diminished
the friendship ot Japan towardsjthe United States.
The ports of Norfolk, Fernandina and Pensacola
have been opened by proclamation. It is hoped
that foreign merchants will now consider whether
it is notsafer and more profitable to themselves, as
well as just to the United States, to resort to these
and other open ports, than it is to pursue, through
many hazards and at a vast cost, a contraband trade
with other ports which are closed, if not by actual
military occupation, at least by a lawful and effec
tive blockade.
For myself, I have no doubt of the power and du
ty of the Executive, under the law of nations, to
exclude enemies of the human race from an asylum
in the United States. If Congress should thiuk that
proceedings in such cases lack the authority of law.
or ought to be further regulated by it, I receommend
that provision be made for effectually preventing
foreign slave-traders from acquiring domiei! and fa
cilities for their criminal occnpntion in our country.
It is possible if it were a new and open question,
the maritime Powers, with ihe lights they now enjo}
would not concede the privileges of a naval belliger
ent to the insurgents of the L nited States, destitute
as they are, and always have been, equally of ships
of war and of ports and harbors. Disloyal eniissa
ries have been neither less assiduous nor more suc
cessful during the last year than they were before
that time in tbeir efforts, under favor of tliat privi
to embroil our country in foreign wars.
The desire and determination of the Governments
of maritime States to defeat that design are believed
to be as sincere as, and cannot be more earnest than
ourowni Nevertheless, unfbrseeD political difficul
ties have arisen, especially in-Brazilian and British
ports, and on the northern boundaries of the United j
States, which have required and are likely to con
tinue to require, the practice of constant vigilance,
and a just and conciliatory spirit on the part of the
United States, as well as the nations concerned, and
their Governments. Commissioner^have been up
pointed under the treaty of Great Britain on the ad
justment of the claims of the Hudson Bay and Paget
Sound Agricultural Companies, in < Iregon, and are
now proceeding to the execution of the trust assign
ed to them. In view of the insecurity of life and
property in the region adjacent to the Canadian bor
der, by reason of recent assaults and depredations
committed by inimical and desperate persons who
are harbored there, it has been thought proper to
give notice that after the expiration ot six months—
j the period conditionally stipulated under the exist
-1 ing agreement with Great Britain—the United States
must nold themselves at liberty to increase their na
! val armament on the Lakes, if they shall find that
proceeding necessary, The condition of the bor-
der will necessarily coaie into consideration in con
sideration in eonqecf.on with the question of com
tinning or modifying the rights of transit from Can
ada through the United States, as well as the regula
tion of imposts which were temporarily established
by the reciprocity treaty of the sth Of June, 1854.
1 desire, however, to lie understood while making
this statement, that the colonial authorities of' Ca
nada are not deemed to be intentionally unjust or un
friendly towards the United States, but, on the con
trary, there is every reason to expect that, with the
approval of the Imperial Government, they will take
the necessary measures to prevent new incursions
across the borders.
The act passed at tbe last .lession for the encour
agement of emigration, has, so far as was possible,
been put into operation. It seems to a.ed amend
ment which wiu enable the officers of the Govern
ment to prevent the practice of frauds against tho
emigrants while on their way and on their arrival in
the ports, so as to secure them a free choice of avo
cations arid places of settlement. A' liberal dispo
sition towards this great national policy is manifes
ted by most otJ|the Europrcun States, and ought to be
especially on our pari, by giving the emigrants effec
tive national protection. 1 regard our emigrants as
one of the principal replenishing streams which are
apportioned by Providence to repair the ravages of
internal war and its wastes of national strength and
health. All that is necessary is to secure the flow of
that stream in its present fullness, and to that end
the Government must in everyway make it manifest
that i] neither needs nor designs to impose involun
tary military service upon those who come from oth
er lands to cast their lot in our country.
The financial affairs of the Government have been
successfully administered during the past year. The
legislation of the last session of Congress has bene
ficiatlv affected the revenues, although sufficient
time has not yet elapsed to experience the full ef
fect of several of the provisions of the acts of Con
gress imposing increased taxation.
The receipts during the year from all sources up
on the basis of warrants signed by the Secretary of
the Treasury, iucluding loans and the balance the
Treasury on the first day of July, 1863, were $1,394,
796,007.62,
And the aggregate disbursements upon the same
basis were $1,198,05 ft 101,89, leaving a balance in the
Treasury as shown by warrants, of $96,739,90f>.73.
Deduct from these amounts the amouni of the prin
cipal of the public debt redeemed, and the amount
of issaes in substitution therefor, and the actual
cash operations of the Treasury were : —Receipts,
$884,076,046.57 disbursements, $865,234,087.86,
which leaves a cash balaucein the Treasury of $lB,
842,558^71.
Of the receipts there were derived from customs
$102,316,152.99. From lands, $-588,333.29 ; from
direct taxes, $47-5,648.96; from internal revenue,
$109,741,184.10; from miscellaneous sources. $471.
511,418.10; and from loans applied to actual expen
ditures, including former l>alances, $628,443,929.13.
There were disbursed for the civil service $27,506
599.16: for pensions and Indians $7,517.930.97. tor
the War Department, $690,791,842.97 , for the Navy
Department $75,733,292.77, for interest of- the pub
lic debt, -(53, 685, 421.68, makiDg an aggregate of
$865,234,087.80, and leaving a balance in the Trea
sury of $1 8, 842,-5">8.71, as before stated.
T'or the actual receipts and disbursements for the
first quarter, and the estimated receipts and dis
bursements for the three remaining quarters of the
current fiscal year, and the general operations of the
Treasury in detail, I refer you to the Report of the
Secretary of the Treasury.
1 concur with him in the opinion that the propor
tion of moneys required to meet the expenses conse
qnent upon the war derived from taxation, should be 1
still further increased, and 1 earnestly invite your
attention to this -object, to the end that there may
bC suCfi aflJttWha! Teglroultm as strait w# repkit-d
meet the just- expectations of the Secretary.
The public debt on the Ist day of July Inst, as ap
pears by the books of the treasury, amounted to one
Bill fort, seven hundred and forty millions, six hun
dred and ninety thousand, four hundred and eighty
nine dollars and eighty nine cents ($1,740,690,48 ft
49.) Probably should the war continue for another
year, that amount may bo increased by not far from
five hundred millions. Heldas.it is for the most
part by our own people, it has become a branch of
national though private property. , For obvious rea
sons, the more nearly this property can be distribu
ted among all the people the better. To favor such
general distribution, greater inducements to become
owners might perhaps effect', and without injury, be
presented to persons of limired means With this
view I suggest whether it might not be both compe
tent and expedient for Congress to provide that a
limited amount of some future issue of public secu
rities might be held by any bonajide purchaser ex
empt from taxation and from seizure for debt, under
such restrictions and limitations as might be neces
sary to guard against abuse of so important a privi
lege. I His would enable every prudent person to
set aside a small annuity against a possible day of
want. Privileges like these would render the pos
session of such securities, to' the amount limited,
most desirable to every person of small means who
might be able to save "enough for the pnrpose. The
freat advantage of citizens being creditors as well as
ebtors with relation to the public de!>t, is obvious.
Men readily perceive that they cannot be much op
pressed by a debt which they owe themselves.
The public debt on the first 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 made in the preceding De
cember, as to its probable amount at the beginning
of this year by the sum of $3,995,097.31. This fart
exhibits a satisfactory condition and conduct of the
operations of the Treasury.
The National hanking system is proving to be ac
ceptable to capitalists ana to the people. On the
25th day of November, 584 National banks had been
organized, a considerable number of which were con
versions from State banks. Changes from the State
svstems to the National systems are rapidly taking
place, and it is hoped that very soon there will be in
the United States no banks of issue not authorized
by Congress, and no bank note circulation not se
cured by the Government.
That tbe Government and the people will derive
great benefit from this change in the banking system
of the country can hardly be questioned. The Na
tional system'will create a reliable and permanent
influence in support of the National credit, and pro
tect the people against losses in paper money. —
Whether or not any further legislation is advisable
for the suppressing of State bank issues, it will be for
Congress to determine. It seems to be quite clear
that the Treasury cannot bo satisfactorily conducted
unless the Governmeut can exercise a restraining
power over the bauk note circulation of the country.
The Report of the Secretary of War and the accom
panying documents will detail the campaigns of the
armies in the field since the date of the last annual
message, and also the operations of the several ad
ministrative bueaus of the War Department during
the last year. It will also specify the measures
deemed necessary for the National defence, and to
keep up and supply the requisite military force.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy presents
a comprehensive and satisfactory exhibit of the af
fairs of that Department, and of the naval service.
It is a subject of congratulation and laudable pride to
our countrymen that a navy of such vast proportions
has been organized in so brief a period and conduc
ted with so much efficiency and success.
The general exhibit of the navy, including vessels
under construction, on the Ist of December, 1864. :
shows a total of six humfreiT and seventy-one vessels
carrying four thousand six hundred and ten guns,
and" of 510,896 tons, being an actual increase during
the year over and al>ove all losses by shipwreck or
in battle, of 88 vessels, 167 guns, and -1,247 tons.
The total number of men at this time in the naval
service. including officers, is about fifty, one thousand.
There have been captured by the navy during the
year three hundred and twenty-four vessels, ami tho
"whole number of naval captures since hostilities com
meaccd is thirteen huudred and seventy-nine, of
which two hundred and sixty-seven are steamers.
The gross proceeds arising from the sale of con
demned prize property, thus far reported, amount
to $14,396,250,51. A large amount of such pro
ceeds is still under adjndication and yet to be re
ported. The total expenditure of the Navy Depart
ment, of every description including the cost of th<-
immense squadrons that have been called into the
existence since the 4th day of March, 1801, to the
Ist of November, 1864. are $23*.647,202.36.
Your favorable consideration is invited to to the
various reacommendatious of the Secretary of the
Navy, Especially in regard to a Navy Yard and suit
able estaoliscment for the construction and repair
of iron vessels and the machinery and armature for
our ships, to which reference is made in my last an
nual message. Your attention is also invited to the
views expressed in the report in relation to the leg
islation of Cyngress at its last sessicm in respect to
prizes on our inland waters. I cordially concur in
the recommendation of the Secretary as to the pro
priety of creating the new rank of Vice Admiral in
our naval service.
Your attention is invited to the Report of the
Postmaster General for a detailed account of the op
eration and financial condition of the Post office De
partment. The postal revenues for the year ending
June 30, 1804, amounted to $1*2,438,263,78, and the
expenditures to $12,'344,768,20, the excess of ex
penditures over receipts being $206,652,42. 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 reccommends for the
development of increased commercial intercourse
with adjaceht and neighboring countries, should re
ceive the careful consideration of Congress.
_ It is of note-worthy interest that the steady expan
sion of population, improvement and governmental
institutions over tho new aud uuoccupied portions
of our country have scarcely been checked, much
less impeded or destroyed, by our great civil war,
which at first glance wou.d seem to have absorbed
almost the entire energies of the nation.
The organization and admission of the State of
Neveda has been completed in conformity with law.
and thus our excellent system is firmly established
in the mountains whichvnce seemed a barren and
uninhabitable waste between the Atlantic States and
those which have grown up on the coast of the Pa
cific ocean.
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 thein by In
dian hostilities, have been only partially organized.
But it is understood thtse difficulties are about to
disappear, which will permit their governments,
like those of the others, to go into speedy and full
operation.
As intimately courioted with and promotive of
this material growth of the nation, I ask the atten
tion ot Congress to the valuable information and im
portant recommendations relative to the Public
Lands, Indian Affairs, the Pacific Railroad and min
eral discoveries, contained in the Report of the Sec
retary of the Interior, which is herewith transmitted
and which report also embraces the subjects of pat
ents, pensions, and other matters of public interest
pertaining to his Department.
Hie quantity of public land disposed of during the
fire quarters ending 30th December last was 4.221,
342. acres, of which 1,538,014 acres were entered
under the homestead law. The remainder was lo
cated with military land warrants, agricultural scrip
certified to States for railroads and sold for cash. —
The cash rdceived from sales and location fe< 3 was
$1,019,446,
The income from sales during the fiscal year ending
June 30. 1864. was $678,007.21. against $13'>,077,
95. received during the preceeding year. The ag
gregate number of acres surveyed during the year,
has been equal to the quantity disposed of, and there
is open to settlement about 183,000,000 acres of sur
vey ed land.
The great enterprise of connecting tho Atlantic
with the Pacific States by railways and telegraph
lines has-been entered on with a vigor that gives as
surance of success, notwithstanding the embarrass
ment arising from the prevailing high prices of ma
terials and labor. The route of the main line of ihe
road has been definitely located for one hundred
iniles westward from the initial point at Omaha city,
Nefiraska. anrl n preliminary location of ttia Pacini;
Railroad of California, has been made from Sacra
mento to the great bend of the Truckee river in Ne
veda.
Numerous discoveries of gold and silvar, and cin
nabar mines have been added to the many hereto
fore known, und the country occupied by the Sierra
Ne'veda ana Rocky Mountains ana the subordinate
ranges, now teems with enterprising labor, which is
richly remunerative. It is believed that the product
of'the mines of precious metals in 'that region, has,
during the year reached if not exceeded, one hun
dred millions in value.
It was reccommended in my last annual message
that our Indian system be remodelled. Congress at
its last session, acting upon the recommendation,
did provide for reorganizing the systdm in Califor
nia, and it is believed that under the present or
ganization the management of the Indians there wili
be attended with reasonable success. Much yet re
mains to be done to provide for the proper govern
ment of the Indians in other parts of the country,
to render it secure for the advancing settler, and to
provide for the welfare of the Indian. The Secreta
ry reiterates his recommendations, and to them the
attention of Congress is invited.
The liberal provisions made by Congress for pay
ing]} ensions to invalided soldiers aud sailors of the
Republc, aud to the widows, orphans and dependant
mothers of those who have fallen in battle, or died
of disease contracted or wounds received in the ser
vice of the country, have been diligently adminis
tered.
There has been added to the pension rolls during
the year ending the 30th day of June last the nrraes
of 1(3,770 invalid soldiers, and 271 disabled seameh,
making the present number of army invalid pen
sioners, 2*2767. and of navy invalid pensioners, 712.
(If widows, orphans and mothers 22,188 have been
placed on the army pension rolls, mid 248 on the
navy rolls. The present number of army pensioners
of thisi class is 25,444, aud of navy pensioners 793.
At tho beginning of the year the number of Revolu
tionary pensioners was 1,43 ft. - Only twelve of them
were soldiers, of whom seven have since died. The
remainder are those who under the laws receive pen
sions because of relationslnn to Revolutionary sol
diers. During the year ending the 30th of June,
1804, $4,504,616,92 have been paid to the pension
ers of all classes.
I cheerfully recommend to your continued patron
age the benevolent institutions of the District of
Columbia, which have been established and fostered
by Congress, and respectfully refer for information
concerning them, and in relation to the Washington
Aqueduct, the Capitol aud matters of local interest,
to the Report of tho Secretary.
The Agricultural Department under the supervi
sion of its present energetic aud faithful head, is rap
idly commending itself to the great aud vital interest
it was created to advance. It is particularly the
people's department in which they feel more deeply
concerned than in any other. I commend it to the
continued attention and fostering eare of Congress.
The war continues. Since the last annual message
all the important lines and positions then occupied
by our torces have been maintained, and our arms
have steadily.advanced, thus filtrating the regions
left in rear, ,o that Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee,
and parts of other States have agaiu produced reas
onably fair crojui.
The most remarkable feature iu the military ope
rations of the year is General Sherman's attempted
inarch of three hundred miles directly through the
insurgent region. It tends to show a great increase,
in our relative strength, that our General-in-Chief
should feel able to confront aud hold in check every
active force of the enemy, and vet to detach a well
appointed large army, to move on such an expedi
tion. The result is net yet known, conjucture in
regard to it is not here indulged.
Important movements have also occurred during
the yetti to the effect of moulding society for . dura
bility in the Union. Although short of complete
success, it is much iu the right direction that twelve
thousand citizens in each of the States of Arkansas
and Louisiana have organized loyal .State Govern
ments with free Constitutions, aud are earueftly
struggling to maintain and administer them.
The movements in the same directions more
extensive though less difinite, in Missouri, Kentucky
and Tennessee,-should not Ire overlooked. But
Maryland presents the example of complete suc
cess. Maryland is secure to Liberty and Union
for all the future. The genius of rebellion will no
more claim Maryland. Like another foul spirit,
being driven out, it may seek to tear her, but it will
woo her no more.
At the last session of Congress a proposed amend
ment of the Constitution abolishing Slavery through
out this United States passed the Senate, but failed
for lack of the requisite two-thirds voto in the
House of Representatives. Although the present
is the same Congress, and nearly the same members
and without questioning the wisdom or patriotism ot
these" who stood in opposition, I venture to recom
mend the reconsideration and passage of the meas
ure at the present session.
Of cavern the abstract question is not changed,
but an intervening election shows almost certainly
that the next Congress will pass the measure if this
one does not ; hence there is only a question of
time as to when the proposed amendment will go
to the States for their action, and as it is to go
at all events, may we not agree that the sooner the
better.
It is not claimed that the election has imposed a
duty on members to change their views or their
votes any further than as an additional element to
be considered how far their judgment may be effect
ed by it. It is the voice of the people now for the
first time heard upon the question. In a great na
tional crisis like ours unanimity of action among
those seeking a common and is very desirable—al
mo'dt indispensable—and yet no approach to such
unanimity is attainable unless some deference shall
be paid to the will of the majority simply because it
isjne will of the majority. In this case the com
mon end is the maintenance of the Union and a
mong the means to secure that end, such will through
the election, is most clearly declared in favor of
such constitutional amendment. The most reliable
indication of public purpose in this country is de
rived through our popular elections. Judging by
the recent canvass and its result, the purpose of the
people within the loyal States to maintain the integ
rity of the Union was never more firm, nor more
nearly unrnimons, than now.
The extraordinary calmness and good order with
which the millions of voters met and mingled at the
polls give strange assurance of this. Not only all
those who supported the Union ticket, so called, but
a great majority of the opposing party also may be
fairly claimed to entertain and to be actuated by the
same purpose.
It is an unanswerable argument to this effect that
no cqpdidate for any office whatever, high or low,
has ventured to seek votes on the avowal that he
was for giving up the Union. There has been much
impugning of motives and much heated controversy
as to the proper means and best mode of advancing
the Union cause ; but on the distinct issue of Union
or no Union, the policians have shown their instinc
tive knowledge that there is no diversity among the
people. In affording the people the fair opportunity
of showing one to another and to the world this
ffrmness and unanimity of purpose, the election has
been of vast, value to the National cause.
The election has exhibited another fact, not less
valuable to be known. The fact that we do not ap
proach exhaustion in the most important branch of
national resources—that of living men. While it is
menancholy to reflect that the war has filled so many
graves and carried mourning to so many hearts, it is
some relief to know that, compared with the sur
viving. the fallen have been so few. While corps
and divisions and brigades and regiments have
formed and fought and dwindled and gone out of
existence: a great majority of the men who com
posed them are still living. The same is true of the
na ml service.
The election returns prove this. So many voters
could not be found. The States regularly holding
elections, both now and four years ago, to wit: Cali
fornia. Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, lo
wa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachuseta,
Michigan, Minnessota, Missouri, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon Pennsvlvania,
Rhode Island, Vermont, West Yirginiaand Wiscon
sin, cast 3,082,011 votes now, against 3,870,222 cast
then: showing an aggregate now of 8,082,011. To
vhls js to be added 33,762 cast now, in the new States
of Kansas and Nevada, which States did not vote in
1860, thus swelling the aggregate to 4,015,775, and
i the nett increase daring the three years and a half
of the war 145,561. A table is appended, showing
■ particulars. To this again should be added the num
ber of all soldiers in the field from Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, New Jersey. Delaware, Indiana, Illi
nois and California, who by the laws of those States
could not vote away from their homes, and which
number cannot be less than 00,000. Nor yet is this
all. The number in organized Territories is triple
novv what it was four years ago, while thousands—
white and black—join us, as the National arms press
back the insurgent lines. So much is shown affirm
atively 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 but for the war, which is probably true. —
the important fact remains demonstrated that we
have more men now than we had when the war be
gan ; that we are not exhausted, nor in process of
exhaustion that we are gaining strength, and may, if
need be maintain the contest indefinitely. This as
to men. Material resources are now more complete
and abundant than ever.
The national resources then are unexhausted, and,
as we believe, inexhanstable. The public purpose
to re-establish and maintain the National authority
is unchanged, and, we believe, unchangeable. The
manner of continuing the effort remains to choose.
On careful consideration of all the evidence accessi
ble, it seems to me that no attempt at negotiation
with the insurgent leader could result in any good.
He would accept nothing short of severance of the
Union—precisely what we cannot and will not give.
His declarations to this effect are explicit and oft
repeatcd. He does not attempt to deceive us. He
affords us no excuse to deceive ourselves. He can
not volnntarilv reacceptthe Union ; we Cannot vol
untarily yieid. between him and us the issue is dis
tinct, simple, and inflexible. It is an issue which
can only be tried by war and decided by victory. If
we yield—we are beaten. If the Southern people
fail him, he is beaten. Either way. it would he the
victory and defeat following war. What is true,
however, of him who heads the insurgent cause, is
not ireeessarily true of those who follow. They cau,
at any moment, have peace simplv by laying down
their arms and submitting to the National authority
under the Constitution. After so mnch the Gov
ernment could not, if it would, maintain war against
them. Although he cannot re-accept the Union,
they can. Some of them, we know, already desiro
neace and Union. The number of such may increase.
Loyal people would not snstain or allow it. If ques
tions should remain, we would adjust them by the
peaceful means of legislation, conference, courts and
votes, operating only in constitutional and lawful
channels. Some certain and other possible questions
are, and would be beyond the Exeoutive power to
adjust, as, for instauoe, the admission of members
into Congress, and whatever might require the ap
propriation of money. The Executive power itself
would be gTeatly diminished by the cessation of ac
tual war. Pardons and remissions of forfeit
ures, however, would still be within Executive
control. In what spirit aud temper this control would
be exercised, Can be fairly judged of by the past.
A year ago general pardon and amnesty, upon
specified terms, were offered to all except certain
designated classes, aud it was at the same time made
known that the accepted classes were still in contem
plation of special clemency.
During the year many availed themselves of the
| general provision, aud many more would, only that
| the signs of bad faith in some led to such prccau
; tionary measures as rendered the practical process
lie s easy and certain. During the same time also,
j special pardons have been granted to individuals of
the excepted classes, and no voluntary application
has been denied.
Thus practically the door has been for a full year
open to all except such as were not in condition to
make free choice—that is. such as were in custody
or under rest mint it is still so open to aIL But
the time maxoome, PWMjb" whoa pub'
lie duty shall demand that it be closed, and that hi
lieu more vigorous measures than heretofore be a
donted.
In presenting the abandonment of armed resist
ance to the National authority on the part of the in
surgents as the only indispensable condition to end
ing the war on the part of the Government, I retract
nothing heretofore said as to Slavery. I repeat the
declaration made a year ago, that while I remain in
my present positiou 1 shall not attempt to retract or
modify the Emancipation Proclamation ; nip- shallT
return to Slavery any person who is free by the terms
of that proclamation, or by auy of the acta of Con
gress. If the people should, by whatever mode or
means, make it an Executive duty to re-enslave such
persons, another, and not I, must be their instrument
to perform it
fn stating u single condition of peace. I mean
simply to say that the war will cease, on the part of
the Government, whenever it shall have ceased qq
the part of those who began it,
(Signed) . ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
Washington, December 6,1864.
Vol 37: No. 51