Bradford reporter. (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, December 05, 1861, Image 2
I>E PRESIDENTS IBM Fclloxc Citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives : In the midst of unprecedented politico! troubles we have cause of great gratitude to God for unusually good health aud most abuu dant harvests. You wiM not be atrrprised that, in the pecu liar exigencies of the times, our intercourse *its foreign uations has been attended with profound solicitude, chiefly turning upon our, own domestic affairs. A disloyal portion of the American people have, during the whole j year, been engaged in an attempt to divide and destroy the Union. A nation which endures factious domestic ; divisions is exposed to disrespect abroad ; and one party, if not both, is sore, sooner or later, to invoke foreign intervention. Nations thus tempted to interfere are not always able to i resist the counsels of seeming expediency and ingenious ambition, although measures adop ted under such influences seldom foil to be un fortunate and injurious to those adopting them. THE REBELS NOT ENCOURAGED ABROAD. The disloyal citizens of the United States \ who have offered the ruin of our country in return for the aid and comfort which they have invoked abroad, have received less patronage and encouragement than they probably expec ted. If it were just to suppose, as the insur gents have seemed to assume, that foreign na tlons in this ease, discarding all moral, social and treaty obligations, would act solely and selfishly for the most speedy restoration of commerce, including especially, the acquisition of cotton, those nations appear as yet not to have 6cen their way to their object more di rectly or clearly through the destruc tion than through the preservation of tho Union. If wo could dare to believe that foreign nations are actuated by no higher principles than this, I am quite sure a second argument could bo made to show them that they can reach their aim more rea •lily and easily by aiding to crush this rebel lion, than by giving encouragement to it. The principal lever relied on by the insur gents for the exciting foreign uations to hosti lity against us, as already intimated, is the em barrassment of commerce. The nations, how ever, not improbably 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 perceive that the effort for disunion produces the existing difficulty, and that one strong nation promises more dur able peace, and a more extensive, valuable and reliable commerce than can the same uatiou broken into hostile fragments. It is not my purpose to review oar discus sions with foreign slates, because whatever might be their wishes or dispositions the in tegrity of our country and the stability of our government mainly depends, not upon them, bat ou the loyally, virtue, patriotism and intel ligence of the American people. The corres pondence itself, with the usnal reservations, is herewith submitted I venture to hope it will appear that we have practised prudence and liberality towards foreign powers, averting causes of irritation, aud, with firmness, main taining our own rights aud honor. Since, however, it is apparent that here, as in every other state,foreign dangers necessari ly attend domestic difficulties, I recommend that adequate and ample measures be adopt ed for maintaining the public defieuces on every side, while, under this general recommenda tion, provision for defending our coast line readily occurs to the mind. J also, in the same connection, ask the attention of Congress to our great lakes and rivers. It is believed that some fortifications and depots of arras and munitions, with harbor and navigation im provements at well selected points upon these, would be of great importance to the national defence and preservation. I ask your attention to the views of the Se cretary of War, expressed iu his report upon the tame geucral subjects. A NEW MILI.ir.VRY ROAD I deem it of importance that the loyal regions of East Tennessee and western North Carolina should be connected with Keutueky and other faithful parts of the Uuion by rail road. I therefore recommend as a military measure that Congress provide for the con struction of such road as speedily as pos sible. Kentucky will uo doubt co-operate, and through her legislature make the most judicious nelection of a lino. The northern terminus must connect with some existing railroad, and whether the route shall he from Lexington or Nichoslville to the Comberland Gap, or from Lebanon to the Tennessee line in the direction of Knoxville, or on somo still different line, can easily be determined. Kentucky and the general government, co-operating, the work can be completed in a very short time ; and when done it will be uot only of vast present usefn'ness, but also a valuable permanent im provement, worth its cost in all the future. COMMERCIAL TREATIES. Some treaties dasigned chiefly for the inter ests of commerce, and having no grave politi cal importance, have been negotiated and will be -übmitted to the Senate for their consider ation. Although we have failed to induce some of the commercial powers to adopt a de sirable melioration of the rigor of maritime war we have removed all obstructions from the way of this humane reform, except such us are merely of temporary and accidental occur rence. TIIE CHASE OF THE BRITISH SHIR PERTHSHIRE. 1 invite your attention to the correspondence between Her Britauic Majesty's minis ter, accredited to this government, and the Se cretary 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 blockade. As this detentiou was occasioned by an obvious mis apprehension of the facts, and as justice re quires that we should commit no belligerent .act not founded in strict right as sanctioned by public law, 1 recommend that an appropri ation be made to satisfy the reasonable demaud of the owners of the vessels for her detention. CLAIMS AGAINST CHINA. 1 repeat the recommendation of my prede cessor, in his annual message to Congress iu December last, in regard to the disposition of the surplus which will probably remain after satisfying the claims of American citizens against Chiua, pursuant to the awards of the commissioners under the act of the 3d March, 1859. If, however, it should not be deemed advi sible to carry that recommendation into effect, I would suggest that authority be given for .esxtigating the "wincipal over the proceed' of the surplus referred to iu good securities, with a view to the satisfaction of such other just claims of our citizens against China as are not unlikely to nriso hereafter iu the coarse of our extensive trade with that em pire. By the act of the oth of August last, Con gress authorized the President to instruct the commauders of suitable vessels to defend themselves against and to capture pirates. This authority has been exercised iu a tingle instance on'y. For the more effectual protection of our extensive and valuable commerce iu the east ern seas, especially it seems to me that it would a'so be advisable to authorize the commanders of sailing vessels to recapture any ptizes which pirates may make ot the United States vessels and their cargoes, and the consular courts es tablished by law in eastern countries to adju dicate the cases in the event that this should not be objected to by the local authorities. RECOGNITION OF HAYTI AND LIBERIA. If any good reason exists why we should preserve longer in withholding our recognition of the independence and sovereignty of Havti and Liberia, lam unable to discern it. In willing, however, to inaugurate a novel policy in regard to them without the approbation of Congress, I submit for your consideration the expediency of on appropriation for maintaining a Charge d' Affaires near each of these new States. It does not admit of doubt that im portant commercial advantages might be se cured by f avorable treaties with them. THE TREASURY. The operations of the Treasury during the period which has elapsed since your adjourn ment, have been conducted with signal sue cess. The patriotism of the people has placed at the disposal of the government the large means demanded by the public exigencies.— Much of the national loan has been taken by citizens of the industrial classes, whose confi dence in their country's faith, and zeal for their country's deliverance from its present peril, bave induced them to contribute to the sup port of the government the whole of their limit ed acquisitions. This fact imposes peculiar obligations to economy in disbursement and energy in action. Estimates for this remaining three-quarters of the year, and for the financial year of 1862 together with his views of the ways and means tor meeting the demands contemplated by them will be submitted to Congress by the Secretary of the Treasury. It is gratifying to know that the expenses made necessary by the rebellion are no} beyond the resources of the loyal ptopls, and to believe that the same patriotism which has thus far sustained the government will con tinue to sustain it, till peace and union shall again bless the laud. THE ARMY. I respectfully refer to the report of the Se cretary of War for information respecting the numerical strength of the army, and for re commendations iu view of au increase of its ef ficiency and the well-being of the various branches of the service entrusted to his care It is gratifying to know that the patriotism of the people has proved equal to the occasion, aud that the Dumber of troops tendered great ly exceeds the force which Congress author ized me to call into the field. I refer with pleasure to those portions of his report which makes allusion to the creditai le degree of dis cipline already attained by our troops, aud in the excel leu t sauitary condition of the eu tire army. The rccommenda ion of the Secretary for an organization of the militia upon a uniform basis, is a subject of vital importance to the 1 future safety of the country, and is commend- ' ed to the serious attention of Congress. The large addition to the regular army iu couuec- , tiou with the defection that has so considera- i bly diminished the number of its officers, gives , peculiar importance to his recommeudatiou for increasing the corps of cadets to the greatest copacitv of the Military Academy By mere j omission, 1 presume, Congress has failed to j provide chaplains for the hospitals occupied i by the volunteirs. This subject was brought to my uotice, and j I was iuduced to draw up the form of a letter, properly addressed, has been delivered to each of the persous, and at the dates respectively named and stated in.a schedule containing also the form of a 'etter marked A, and herewith transmitted. These gentlemen, I understand, entered upon the duties designated, at the times respectively stated in the schedule, aud have labored faithfully therein ever since. I therefore recommend that they be compensa- I led at the same rate as chapl iius in the army. 1 further suggest that general provisions be j made fe r chaplains to serve at the hospitals well as with legimeuts. THE NAVY. The report of the Secretary of the Navy presents in detail the operations of that i branch of the service, the activity and energy which have characterized its administration ' aud the results of measures to increase its ef ficiency and power. Such have been the ad ditions by construction and purchase that it may almost be said a navy has been created , aud brought into service siuce our difficulties ; commenced. Besides blockading our extensive coast, j squadrons larger than ever before assembled under our flag have been put afloat, and per i formed deeds which have increased our naval : renown. I would invite special attention to the re commendation of the Secretary for a more perfect organization of the navy by introduc ! iug additional grades in the service. The pre- I sent organization is defective and unsatisfacto- I ry, and the suggestions submitted by the de : partment will, it is believed, if adopted, obvi- I ate the difficulties alluded to promote harmony and increase the efficiency of the navy. THE SCTREME COURT VACANCIES. There are three vacancies on the bench of ! the Supreme Court, two by the decease of Justices Daniel and McLean, and one by the resignation ofj Justice Campbell. I have so | far forbore making nominations to fill the va ! cancies for rea>ous which I will now state : i Two of the outgoing Judges resided within the I states now overrun by revolt, so that if sue ' cessors were appointed in the same localities, ; they could not now serve upon their circuits, and many of the most competent men thera i probably would not take the personal hazard of accepting to serve eveu here upon the Supreme Bench. I have been unwilling to throw all the ap pointments northward, thus disabling myself from doing justice to the South on the return of peace, although I may remark that to trans for to the North one which has heretofore been in the South would not, with reference to ter ritory and population, be uojust. Daring the long and brilliant jodicial career of Judge McLean, his circuit grew into an empire altogether too large for any one Judge to give the courts therein more than a nomiu- j al attendance, rising in population from one million four hundred and seventy thousand and eighteen, in 1830, to six millions one hun dred and filty-one thousand four hundred and fivo in 1860. Besides this, the couutry, gen erally, has outgrown our present judicial sys tern. If uniformity was at all intended the sys tem requires that all the S'ates shall he ncc>- uiodated with Circuit Courts, attended with Supreme Judges, while, iu fact, Wisconsin, Minnesota, I<wa, Kansas, Florida, Texas, Ca lifornia and Oregon have never had any such courts. Nor can this well be remedied without a change of the system, because t'ue adding of judges to the Supreme Court, enough for the accommodation of all parta of the country with Circuit Courts, would create a court alto gether too numerious for a judicial body of any sort, and the evil of it be one that will increase as new states came into the Union. Circuit courts are useful or they are Dot useful. If useful , no state should be denied them. If not useful no state should have them. Let them be provided for all or abolished as to all. Three modifications occur tome, either of which. 1 think, would be an improvement upon our present sys tem. Let the Supreme Court be ot convenient number in every event. Then , first let the whole Country be divided into cir cuits of convenient size, the Supreme judges to serve in a number, of tbem corresponding to their owe number, and independent Circuit judes be provided for al! the rest. Or, secondly, let the Supreme Judges be releaved from Circuit duties, and Circuit Judges provided for all the Circuits. Or, thirdly, dispense with Circuit Courts altogether, leaving the judicial functions wholly to the District Courts and an independent Supreme Court. REVISION OF STATt'RE. I respectfully recommend to the considera tion of Congress the present condition of the statne laws, with the hope that Congress will be able to find a 1 easy remedy for many of the inconveniences and costs which con stantly embarrass those engaged in the prac tical administration of them Since the organization of the government j Congress has enacted some five thouand acts | and joint resolutions, which fill more thau six tuom-and closely printed pages, and are scattered through m&ry volumes Many of these acts have been drawn in haste and with out sufficient caution, so that their provisions are often obscure in themselves, or in conflict with each othpr, or at least so doubtful as to render it very difficult for even the best inform ed persons to ascertain precisely what the sta tute law really is. It seems to me very important that the sta tute laws should he made as plain and intelli- ! gent us possible, and he reduced to as small a compass as may consist with the fullness and precision of the will of the legislature, and the perspicuity of its language. These well done, would, 1 think, greatly facilitate the !u --bor of those whose duty it is to assist in the ! administration of the laws, and would be a discharge of their pat;iotic duty it is to assist in the administration of the laws, and would be a discharge of their patriotic duty to sup- \ port the government under these circumstan- | ces. I have been urgently solicited to estab lish, by military power, coruts to administer summary justice iu aoh cases. 1 have thus far declined to do it, not because I had any doubt that he end proposed—the collection of the debts—was just and right in itself, but because I have been unwilling to go be yond the presnre of necessity in the unusual exercises of power. But the powers of Con gress, I suppose, are equal to the anomalous occasion, and therefore. I refer the whole matter to Congress with the hope that a plan may be divised for the administration of justice in all such parts of the iusugent states and territories as may he under control of this gov ernment, whether by a voluntary return to allegiance und order, or by the power of arms; this, however, not to be a (permanent institu tion, but a temporary substitute, and to cease as soon as the ordinary courts can be re eslab lished in peace. CLAIMS It is important that some more convenient means should be provided. it possible, for the adjustment of claims against the government, especially in view of their increased number uy reason of the war. It is as much the duty of the government to render prompt justice against itself in favor of citizens as it is to administer the same between private individuals. The investigation and adjudication of claims in thgir nature belong to the judicial department; besides, it is apparent that the attention of Congress will lie more than usually engaged, for some time to come, with great national questions. It was intended by the organisation of the Court of Claims mainly to remove this branch of business from the Halls of Corgress : but while the court has proved to be an eflective and valuable means of investigation, it in a great degri e fails to effect the object of its crea tion for want of power to in ike its judgments final. Fully aware ol the delicacy, not t J say the danger of the subject. 1 commend to your caretul consideration whether this power of miking judgments final may not properly be given to the Courts reserving the right of appeal on questions of law to the Supreme (Joint. with such other provisions as experience may have shown to be necessary - i ask attention to the report of the I'ostmaster-Gan eral, the following being a summary statement of the condition ot the department : REVENUE. The revenue from all sources during the fiscal year, endiug June 30, I*6l, including the annual permanent appropriation of seven hundred thousand dollars for the transportation of free mail matter, was nine million forty nine thousand two hundred and ninety-six dollars and forty cents, being about two per cent, less than the rev enue. TUK EXPENDITURES For 1860 the expenditures were $13,600,750 11, shows a decrease of more than eight per cent, as compared with those of the previous year, and leaving an excess of expenditures over $557,462 71. The gross revenue for the year ending June 20. 1861, making $8,683,000, to which should be added the earnings of the depar'inent in carrying free matter, viz.- $700,000, making $9,383. The total expenditures for 1863 are estimated at sl2, 528,000, leaving an estimaied deficiency of $3 .116.000, to be supplied from the Treasury in addition to the perma nent appropriation. The present insurrection shows, I think, that the ex tension of this district across the Fotoinac river, at the time of establishing the capital here, was eminently wise, and, conseque tly, that the relinquishment of that portion of it which lies within the state ol Virginia, was unwise and dangerous. 1 submit to your consideration the expediency of ro gaing that part ol the district and the restoration of the original boundaries thereof, throught negotions wish the state of Virginia. THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT. The report of the Secretary of the Interior with the accompanying documents exhibition of the several branches of the public business pertaining to that de partment. The depressing influences of the iasurrec tion have been especially felt in the operations of the patent and general land offices. The cash receipts from the sales of public lands du ring the past year have exceeded the expenses ot our land system only about $209,000. The sales have been entirely suspended in the southern States, while the in terruptions to the business of the couutry and the di verting of large numbers of men from labor to military service, have obstructed settlements in the new states and Territories of the northwest. THE EXTENT OFFICE. The receipts of the Patent Office have declined in nine months about SIOO,OOO rendering a large reduction of the .orce employed necessary to make it self sustaining. PENSIONS. The demands upon the Pension Office will be large ly increased by the insurrection. Numerous applications for pensions, based upon the casualties of the existing war, have already been made. There is reasou to believe that many who are now up on the pension roll and iu receipt ot the bounty of the government, are in the ranks of the insurgent army or giving them aid and comfort. The Secretary of the Interior has directed a suspension of the payment of the pensions ot snch persons upon proof ot their disloyalty. I recommend that Congress authorize that officer to cause the names of such persons to be stricken from the pension roll. THE INDIANS. The relations of the government with the Indian tribes have been greatly disturbed by the insurrection, especially in the southern superinteudency and in New Mexico. * The Indian country south of Kansas is in possession of the insurgents from Texas to Arkansas. rheagents of the United States appointed tine c the 4th of March for this superintendency have been unable to reach their posts, while the most ot those who were in office before thai time have espoused the insurrection ary cause, and assume U> exercise the powers of agents, by virtue of the commission from the insurrectionists. It has been stated iu tiie public press that a portion of these Indians have been organized as a military force and are attached to the army of the insurgents. Although the government has no official information upon the subject, letters have been written to the Com missioner of Indian Affairs by several prominent chiefs, giving assurance of their lo3'alty to Hie United States, and expressing a wish for the presence of the federal troops to protect them. It ia believed that upon the re possession of the conn try by the federal forces, the Indians will readily cease all hostile demonstrations, and resume their former re lations tithe government. Wlule it is tortunate that this great interest is so in dependent in its nature as not to have demanded and extorted more from the government, I resjiecUully a--k Congress to consider whether something more cannot be given voluutarily with general advantage. Annual reports, exhibiting tlie condition of our agri culture, commerce and manufactures, would present a fund of information of great practical value to the coun try. While I make no suggestion as to details I venture the opinion that an agricultural and statistical bureau might profitably be organized. SLAVE TRADE REPORT. The execution of the laws for the suppres sion of the African slave trade has bceu con fined to the Department of the Interior. It is a subject of congratulation that the effort which have been made for the suppression of this inhuman traffic have been recently attend ed with unusual success. Five vessels being fitted out for the slave trade have been seized and condemned. Two mates engaged in the aud one person equipping a vessel as a slaver, have been convicted and subjected to the Quo and imprisonment , and oue captain, taken with a cargo of Africans on board his vessel, has been convicted of the highest grade of of fence under our laws, the puuishtneEt of which is death. THE NEW TERRITORIES IN THE WEST The Territories of Colorado, Decotah, and Nevada, created by the last Congress, have been organized, and civil administration has been inaugurated therin under auspices es pecially gratifying, when it is considered that the leaven of treason was found existing in some of these new countries when the federal officers arrived there . The abuodent natu ral resorccs of these Territories, with the se curity and protection afforded by organized government, will doubtless invite to tliem a large immigration when peace shall restore the business of the country to its accustomed channels. I submit the resolutions of the Legislature of Colorado, which evidence the patriotic spirit of the people ot the Territories. So far the authority of the United Stales has been upheld in all the Territories, as it is ! hoped it will be iu ihe future. I commend their interest and defeuce to the enlightened and generous care of Congress. INTERESTS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. I recommend to the favorable consideration of Congress the interests of the District of ( Columbia The insurrection lias been the cause of much suffering and sacrifice to its in habitants ; and as they have no representa tive in Congress that body should uct over look their just claims upon the government. THE EXHIBITION OF INDUSTRY OF 1862 j At your late session a joint resolution was adopted authorizing the President to take mcusures for facilitating a proper representa tive of the industrial interests of the United States at the Exhibition of the Industry of Al! Nations, to be holdeo at London iu the year 1862. I regret to suy 1 have been una tile to give personal attention to this sub ject—a subject at once so interesting iu itself and so exleusively # and intricately connected with the material prosperity of the world— Through the Secretaries of State and of the Interior a plan or system has been devised and partly matured which will be laid before you, COLONIZATION OF EMANCIPATED SLAVES Under and by virtue of the act of Congress, entitled " An Act to Confiscate Property used for Insurrectionary Purposes,' approved Aug 6, 1861, the legal claims of certain persons to the labor and service of certain persons have become forfeited, and numbers of the latter thus liberated are already dependent on the United States uml must be provided for in some way. Besides this, it is not impossible that some of Ihe Stales will pass similar en actments for their own benefits respectively, and by the operation of which persons cf the same class will be thrown upon them for dis posal. In such case 1 recommend that Con gress provide for accepting such persons from ; such States, according to some mode of valu ation, in liru protanto of direct taxes, or upon some other plan to be agreed ou with such States respectively that such persons, on such acceptance by the general government, be at I once deemed free; and that in any event steps be taken for colonizing I oth classes, or the one Crt mentioned, if the other shall not 'he brought into existence, at some place or places congenial to hem. It might be well to ' consider too, whether the free colored people | in the Uuiued States could not, so far as indi viduals may desire, be iucluded iu such colo ! nization. To carry out the plan of eolonizt tionjmay iuvolvejthe acquiring of territory.aud also the appropriation of money beyond that to be expended in the territorial acqusition. Having practiced the acquisition of territory for nearly sixty years the question of constitu tionai p:wer to do so is no longer au open one with us. The power was at first questioued i by Mr. Jefferson, who, however, in the pur chase of Louisana, yielded his scruples on the plea ol great expediency. If it be said that the ouly legitimate object of acquiring territo j ry is to furnish homes ior white men this mea sure effects that object, for the emigration of colored men leaves additional room for white men remaining or coming here. Mr. Jeffer son, however, placed the importance of pro curing Louisana more on political and com mercial grounds thau ou providing room for j population. | THE INTEGRITY OF THE UNION THE PRIMARY OB JECT OF THE WAR. On this whole proposition, including the ap propriation of money with the acquisition of territory, does not the expediency amount to absoluto necessity, without which the govern ment cannct be perpetuated ! The war con tinues. In considering the policy to be adop ted for suppressing the insurrection I have been anxious and careful that the inevitable conflict for this purpose shall not degenerate into a violent aud remorseless revolutionary struggle. I have, therefore, in every case, thought it proper to keep the integrity of the ; Union as a primary object of the contest on our part, leaving all questions which are not of vital military importance to the more delib erate action of the legislature. In the exer cise of my best discretion I have adhered to the blockade of the ports held by the insur gents, instead of putting iu force, by procla mation, the law of Congress enacted at the last session for closing these ports. So, also, obeying the dictates of prudence, as well as the obligations of law, instead of transcending I have adhered to the act of Cengress to con fiscatc property. BDCI for insurrectionfiry par poses. If u new law upon the same subject shall be proposed its propriety will be duly considered. 'lht Union must be preserved, and hence all dispensable means must be employed We should not be in haste to determine that radi cal and extreme measures, which may reach the loyal as well as the disloyal, are indispen sable. The inaugural address at the beginning of the Administration, and the Mcfisage to Congress at the late special session, were both mainly devoted to the domestic controversy out of which the insurrection and consequent war have sprung. Nothing now occurs to arid to or subtract from, the principles or general pur poses stated and expressed in those documents. The last ray of hope for preserving the Uniou peaceably expired at the assault upon Fort Sumter, and a general review of what and ac curred since may not be unprofitable. What was painfully uncertain then better de fined and more distinct uow, and the progress of events is plainly in the right direction. THE SLAVE STATES OF MARYLAND, KENTUCKY AND MISSOURI UNCHANGEABLY BANGED ON TIIE SIDE OF I.AK UNION. The insurgents confidently claimed a strong support from north of Mason and Dixon's line, and the friends of the Union were not free from apprehension oo the point. This, however, was soon settled definitely and on the right side. South of the line noble little Del aware led off right from the first. Maryland was made to seem against the Union, our soldiers were assaulted, bridges were burned and railroads torn up within her limits, aud we were many days at one time without the abili ty to bring a singie regiment over her soil to the capital. Now her bridges and railroads are repaired and open to the government. She already gives seven regimentiAto the cause of Lftiion and none to the enemy, and ourpeople, at a regular election, have sustained the Union by a large majority aud a larger aggregate vote than they ever before gave to any candi date or any question. Kentucky, too, lor some time in doubt, is now decidedly aud, I think, unchangeably ranged on the side of the Union. Missourri is comparatively quiet, and I be lieve canuot again be overrun by the insurrec tionists. These three States of Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri, neither as which would promise a single soldier at first, have now an aggregate of not less than 40,000 in the field for the Union ; while of their citi zens, certaiuly not more than a third number and they of doubtful whereaootits and doubt existence, are in arms against it- After a somewhat bloody struggle of months, winter j closes ou the L T nion people of Western Vir ginia, leaves them masters of their OWD *oun try. "ASTERN VIRGINIA RETURN TO HER A LI. EG IA VCE An insurgent forceof about 1500,10r months dominating the narrow peuinsulur region con stituting the counties of Accomac and North ampton, and known as the Eastern Shore of Virginia, together with some contiguous parts | of Murvland, have laid dowu their arms, and • there have renewed the alliegance to aud ac- [ cepted tlie protection of the old !Ug This ] leuves no armed insurrection north of the I'o- j tomac or east of the Chesapeake. OCCUPATION OF IIATTERA9, PORT ROYAL AND TY- j BEE ISLAND ANo we have obtained a footing at each of | the isolated points on the Southern coist of Huttetas, l'ort Royal, Tybee Island, neurSa vannah, and Shid Island, and we likewise have some general accounts of popular movements in behalf of the Union in North Carolina and Tenncs.s e. The things demonstrate that the course of the Uniou is advancing steadily southward. BESIGXMF.NT OF GENERAL SCOTT. Since your last adjournment Lieutenant General Scott has retired from the head of the army. During his long life the nation has not been unmindful of his merit, yet on calling to mind how faithfully, ably and brilliantly he has served the country a time far back iu our history, when few ol the now living had been boru and thenceforward continually, I cannot but think that we are still his debtor. I submit, therefore.for your consideration what further mark of recognition is due to hitii and ourselves as a grateful people. APPOINTMENT OF GENERAL M CLELLAN As COM MANDER IN-CHIEF. W.th the retirement of General Scolt came the executive duty of appointing in his stead a general-in chief of the army. It is a fortu nate circumstance that neither in couucii uor country was there, so far as I know, any dif ferertce of opinion as to the proper person to be selected. The retiring chief repeatedly ex pressed his judgment in favor of General Mc- Clelian for the position, aud in this the nation seemed to give a unanimous concurrence. The : designation of General McClellan is therefore ; in a considerable degree the selection ol the country as well as ol the Executive, and hence there is better reasou to hope there will be given him the confidence uud cordial support thus by fair implication promised, and without which he cannot with so full efficiency serve the couutry. It has been said that one bad ; general is better thau two good ones, and the j say ing is true, if taken to meuu no more than an army is belter directed by a single miud, ' though inferior, thau by two superior oues at I variance and cross purposes. And the same is j true in all joiut optratious whereiu those enga ed cau have none but a common end iu view, j aud can diff r only as to the choice of means In a storm at sea uo one ou board can wish | the ship to sink, aud yet not unfrequeiitlv all go dowu together, because too many will direct aud uo single mind can be allowed to control THE INSURRECTION IS AGAINST THE RIGHTS OF THE PKOFLE It continues to develope that the iusurrecti >n is large ly ,if not exclusively, a war upon the first principle ot popular government—the rights ot the people. The con clusive evidence oi this is tound in the most grave und maturely considered public documents, as well as in the general tone ot the insurgents. In these documents we liud the abridgement of the existing right of suffrage, and the ik-uial to the people ot all right to participate in the selection of public officers- except the legislative body, advocated with labored arguments to prove that large coutrol ot the gov rninent in the peoply is the source ot all political evil. Monarchy itself is sometimes hinted at as a possible refuge from the power of the peo people. in my present position I could scarcely I* justi fied were 1 to omit raising a waruiiug voice against this approach of returning despotism. CON EI DERATION OD CAPITAL AND LVBOR —POPULAR RIGHTS AND POPULAR INSTITUTIONS. It is not needed nor fitting here that a general argu ment shoutu be made in favor ot popular institutions ; but there is one point, witli its connections' not so hack neyed as most others, to which t ask a brief attention- It is the effort to place capital on an equal footing with, if not above labor, in the structure ol government. It is assumed that labor is available only in connection with capital ; that nobody tabors unless somebody else own ing capital, somehow by the use of it, induces him to la bor. This assumed, it is next considered whether it is best that capital shall hire laborers, and thus induee them to work by their own consent, or buy them and drive them to ii without their consent. Having proceed ded so far. it is naturally concluded thatal! laborers are either hired laborers or what wc call slaves ; and fur ther, it is assumed that whoever is once a hired laborer is fixed in that condition for lite. Now there is no such relation between capital and l*b>i is aenncd, nor is there any such thine as a free mm i„ t the condition of a hired laborer. S h *td[ 0r Both of these assumptions are fi!. ftom them are groundless. I,abor ,V prfj' pendent of capital. Capital is only the mi,, •£ would have never existed il labor had not fi' Labor is the superior of capital and desemL higher consideration. Capital baa it, r , J lt " as worthv of protection as any other K denied that there is, and proliahlv alwa*. I'-i, '>• It latiou between labor and capital Lrodn,L J, , U , 1 * tits. The error is in assuming that tie , coramuuity exists within that relation t , capital, aud that few avoid labor themKs'.J," * n <* their capital hire or buy another few to i*" d *•' A large majority In-long to neither class" noitc lhnr for others nor hare others working f or •hem! *'" i the Southern States a majority of the colors are neither slaves nor masters, while intu e cro a large majority arc neither hirers oo r b.,3 ni with their tamilies, wives, sons and daug!,, N themselves on their larms, sn their bouscs'ani! u ! ' Jr shops, taking the whole product to themselve- : ing no tavors ol capital on the one baud nor of w borers or slaves on the other. It is not * considerable number of persons mingle their ,™T l 1 with capital—that is, they labor with their own a and also buy or hire others to labor tor ibem - i „ v is only a mixed and not a distinct class. No' D ™' stated is disturbed by the existence of this mixed r"'^' Again, as has already been said, there is not nrT* sity, any such thing as the free hired laborer bein.T 8 ' in that condition lor life. Many independent mL * rywhere in these States, a few years truck in the, were hired laborers. The o indent, per,mie.- l*'r the world labors for wages awhile, saves a irarplu, 1 which to buy tools or land for himself, then his own account another while, aud at length hire' * other new beginner to help him. This U the jut generous and prosperous system which open, the all, gives hope to all, aud consequent energy and pn aud improvement ol the condition of all. No meu are more wonhy to he trusted than those who t#!?' 3 ' from poverty ; none less inclined to touch aught w , *{ they have not honestly earned, Let them hewing surrendering a political power which they already sess. and which, if surrendered, will surely he used!? close the door of advancement against such as they to fix new disabilities and burthens upon them tiffin; liberty shall be lost. From the first taking of our national census to the ia are seventy years, and we find our population at the*!? of the period eight times as great as it was at that**? ning. We thus have, at one view, what the principle, applied to government through the machine* of the States and the Union, has produced in a r w ' time, and also what, if firmly maintained, it ur-mi! for the future. p There are already among as those who, if the Union > preserved, will live to see it contain 250,•00,000 T;, struggle of to-day is not altogether for to-day. iij,."' a vast future also. With a firm reliance on Providence, all the more tra and earnest, let us proceed iu the great task which trw, have devolved unou us. ABRAHAM LINCOLN WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 1861. §rabfori importer, E. O. GOODRICH, EDITOR. TOWAXDA : Thursday Morning, December 5, 1861, 00NGRE3S—THE PRESIDENT' 3 MESSAGE Congress convened at Washington ou in day, the organization holding over from fin extra session convened on the 4th of Jul] last The President's Messege was read on TV* day, and will be found at length in onr piper this morning. Owing to its length we are un able to give oar usual variety of news, Ac. The Message is uiiu*ally interesting, and commend it to the careful perusal of onr readers. We have neither time uor space far comment. sa&ftaras. In Derrick Nov. 7.by Rev. Geo. I.ind .n MORTIMEI K TAYLOR, to Miss MARTHA H. MAYNAUD,hot of Rouic, PA. DIED, At Ringhamtnn. X. Y.. on Tuesday. 12th November.Km, NANCY O'HARA, (mother ot Mrs. E. O. GooPicti aged 85 y ears. Stto lltotomfjrtocnts. Al) MIN IST Ft A TOR'S NOTICE —Now is hereby given, that all persons indrhted tni estate of BUEL SMITH, deceased, late of|CMtt township, are requested to make payment withoutd-i:' and those having claims against the said estate willpleut present them duly authenticated lor settlement. ANDREW KIFF. DM. i, 1961. i minima* I 0 IIP II AX 'S ( OU RT SALE -By virtue of an order of the Orphan's Court of Bradford coun ty. will be exposed to public sale, on the premier in Rome twp., on Monday, December .10th. 18S1. all th\t certain lot, piece or parcel nt land Iving and being in tha township of Rome, in said county, late the estate of S A TH AN B HILL, dee'd.. bounded as tollows :on the north by land set apart to widow by appraisement, on the south by lands of E. M. High, on the east by lands contracted by the said Nathan Hill, west by lands of J Seely and N B. Buman, containing 21 acres aud 6a perches, all im proved. ALSO—The decedents interest in a certain lot. piev or parcel of land contracted ol Wm. B. Chmea. bonndtd on the north by land of Thorn is .1. Mill. °n the south b; lands of E. M. Aigh, east by lands of Daniel Russell, on the west by lands of said Nathan B Hill, dee'd. 0)8- taining about 40 acres, about 15 acres improaed. TERMS OF SALE. —Dne fourth of the purchase money BA paid on confirmation of the rale, and the bulaccMtt si months therefrom, with interest. SMITH?LENT, Ada Rome, Dec.S. 1861. ___ MUSICAL CONVENTION. The Fifth Annual Convention OF TIIE CHORIL UNION Ml WILL BE HELD AT LERAYSVILLE. PA, During.the Holidays, Commencing Monday, l>ec. 21. • At 9 o'clock. A.M., to continue tour days and close with a GRAND COXCKRT, ON FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER V, UNDER TUE DIRECTION OK PR.CF. GEO. F. ROOT. OF BOSTON, Author of several popular Musical Works. ADMITTANCE TO THE FT..L COURSE: ' ll3® ; Gentlemen a | Ladies jt To the Concert %W The " Diapason" and Festival Flee book *- * ! used Those having them will please bring then tr Good board oan be obtained at the Hotel* ■ | private families at reasonable prices. | Prof. ROO T has given encouragement ths' j accompanied by some distinguished singer, daring the Convention. .^o All Clergymen are requested to read this 80, their Congregations, and attend the Convention charge. , „. k .gi The friends of Prof. RO >T, and all lovers ol ma* respectfully invited to attend. By order of the Committee. ~ LEWIS WELLS, P* R. B. HOWELL, S<ct. Dec.5.1861. —rTn S~~ TRATTON'S YEAST COMPOJM has been tried hy at least half the famil"* ' ft 1 town for the past year, and has proved to' * ' ; comes in convenient packages containing 10cen One cent will buy sufficient for a baking for family. For sale at AMERICAN HOTEL, Pa., (near the bridge ) M. ! I Towanda, Nov. 20, 1861.