gia4 Etitgrapi,!.
HARRISBURG, PA.
Wednesday Morning, December 4, 1861.
OUR PLATFORM
TEE UNION-THE COISISinuIiON-AND
THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE JAW
FIRST ANNUAL MESSAGE
OF
ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Bead in Congress Tuesday;Deoem-
ber 3d, 1861.
of the Bawls and House of Representa-
In the midst of unprecedented political trou
bles, we have cause of great gratitude to God
for =tuna good health and most abundant
harveem
You will not be surprised to learn, that in the
peculiar exigencies ut the times, our intercourse
with foreign tuitions has been attended with
profound solicitude, chiefly turning upon our
own domestic affairs. A disloyal portion of the
American people have, during the whole year,
been engaged in an attempt to divide and de
stroy the Union.
A nation which endures factious domestic di
vision is exposed to disrespect abroad, and one
party, if nut both, id sure, sooner or later, to
invoke foreign intervention. Nations thus
tempted to interfere are not always able to re
shit the counsels of seeming expediency and Un
generous ambition, although measures adopted
under such influences seldom fail to be unfor
tunate, and injurious to tuose adopting them.
The disloyal citizens of the United States
who have uttered the ruin of our country in re
turn fur the aid and comfort which they have
invoked abroad, have received lees patronage
and encouragement than they probably expect
ed. If it were just to suoptee, as the insur
gents have seemed t , ) assume, that foreign na
tions, in this case, discarding all moral, social
and treaty obligations,
would act solely and eel
fisialy fur the must speedy restoration of com
merce including especially the acquisition of
COttou, these nation appear as yet not to have
seen their way to their Object more directly or
cltarly through the 'destruction, than through
the preservation of the Union.
if we could dare to believe that foreign na
tions are actuated by nu hlguer principle than
this, I am quite sure a sound al gwneut could
be modes to show them that they can reach
their inn more readily and easily by aiding to
mina this rebellion WWI by giving encourage
ment to it. The principal lever relied on by
the insurgents fur exciting foreign nations to
hostility Noma us, as already intimate ~ is the
embarraeouteut of commerce. These nation,
however, nut improbable taw from the first
that it was the Uuiou 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 and reliable
COuiroltree, than can toe same nation -broken
bito'fibatibt fragments. It iamotmyi purpose to
wevieW our discussions with toreiga mates, be
cause whatever might be their wishes, or dis
positions, tile integrity of our 'country and the
stability of our government mainly uepend not
" upon them, but on the loyalty, virtue, patrio
thim aud intelligence of the American people.
The correspondence itself with the usual rea
ctivations is beiewith submitted. I venture to
hope'it will appear that we have practiced pru
dence and liberality towards foreign powers,
averting causes of irritation and with firmness
ittutll44u-dug our own rights and tumor. Since,
however, it is apparent that here, as in every
Other State, foreign dangers necessarily attend
dedicate dilliculties. I recommend that ado
.quitte and ample measures be adopted for main
taining the public defences on every side.
While under this general recommendation
"provision for defending our seacoast line occurs
to the mind.
I also, in theteme connection, ask, the atten
tion of Congress to our great lakes and rivers.
It b believed that some fortifications and de
pots of arms and munitions, with harbor and
navigation improvements, all at well selected
'points upon these, would be of great importance
to the national defence and preservation.
I mak attention to the views of the Secretary
of War expressed in his report upon the same
general midget. I deem it of importance that
the loyal regions of &tit Tennessee and West
ewe North Carolina should be connected with
Kentucky and other faithful parts of the Union
by railroad. I therefore recommend, as a mili
tary measure, that Congress provide for the
construction of such road as speedily as possi
ble. Kentucky, no doubt, will co-operate and,
through her Legislature, make the most Judi
dons selection of a line. The Northern tend
'Des mtut connect with som e existing railroad.
mutt whether the route shall be !row Lexington
or Nicholaaville to the Cumberland Gap, or
from Lebanon to the Tennessee line in the di
rection of Knoxville, or on some still different
line am reality 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 nut only of vast
present usefulness, but alto a valuable perma
nent improvement, with its cost, io all the fu
ture.
Some treaties designed chiefly for the inter
ests of commerce, and having no grave politi
oaiimportance, have been negotiated, and will
beisubmitted to the Senate for their considera
eon.
Although we have failed to induce some of
the commercial powers to adopt a desirable me
lioration of the rigor of a maritime war, we
have removed all obstructions from the way of
this humane reform, except such as are merely
of temporary and acetdental occurrence.
I invite your attention to the correspondence
between Her Britannic Majesty's Minister, ac
credited to this Government, and the Secretary
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 detention was
occasioned by an obvious misapprehension of
the facts, and as justice requires that we should
•commit no belligerent act not founded in strict
right as sanction e d by public law, I recommend
that an appropriation be made to satisfy the
reasonable demand of the owners of the vessel
for, her detention.
I repeat the recommendation of my predeces
sor, in his annual message to Congress in De
cember last, in regard to the disposition of the
surplus which will probably remain after satis
fying the claims of American citizens against
China, pursuant to the awards of the Commis
sinners under the act of the 3d of March, 1859
If, however, it should not he deemed advis
Ole to carry that recomumcdation into effect.
I would suggest that authority be given forin
vesting the prindpal of the proceeds of the Sur
plus referred to'in good securities, with a view
to the satisfacton of such other just claims of
our abeam against China as tie not unliludy
penttsglvania Alailg atiegrainb itlantottag Morning, ;Dumber 4. 1861
to arise hereafter in the course of our extensive
trade with that empire.
By the act of the 5h of August last, Congress
Authorized the President to instruct the Com
mandera of suitable vessels to defend them.
selves against and capture pirates. This au
thority has been exercised in a single instance
only. For the more effectual protection of our
extensive and valuable commerce in th e But
ern sans, especially, it seems to me that it
would be advisable to authorize the command
ere of s dling vessels to recapture any prizes
which pirates may make of United States ves
sels and their cargoes, and the Consular Courts
now established by law in Eastern countries to
adjudicate the cases, in the event that this
suould not be objected to by the local authori
ties. if any good reason exists why we should
persevere longer in withholding our recognition
of the independence and sovereignty of Hayti,
I.am unable to discover it.
Unwilling, however, to inaugurate a novel
policy in regard to them without the approba
tion of Congress, I submit for your considera
tion the expediency of an appropriation for
maintaining a charge d'affairs neareach of thoee
new States; it does not admit of a doubt that
important commercial advantages might be se
cured by favorable treaties with them.
The operations of the Treasury during the pe
riod which has elapsed since your adjournment,
have been conducted with signal success. The
patriotism of the people has placed at the dis
posal of the Government, the large means de
manded by the public exigencies. Much of the
National Loan has been taken by citizens of the
industrial classes, whose confidonce in their
country's faith and zeal, for their country's de
liverance from the preseit peril have induced
them to contribute to the support of the Gov
ernment the a hole of their limited acquisitions.
This fact imposes peculiar obligations upon us
to economy in disbursement and energy in ac
tion.
The revenues from all sources, including loans
for the financial year, ending on the 80th of
June, 1861, was $86,835,900 27, and the expen
ditures for the same period, including payments
on account of the public debt, were $84,678,-
834 47, leaving a ballance in the Treasury, on
the Ist of July, of $2,267,066 80. For the first
quarter of the financial year, ending on the 80th
of September, 1861, the receipts from all sources
including the balance of the Ist' of July, were
$102,682,609 27, and the expenses $98,289,-
788 09 ; leaving a balance on theist of October,
1861, of $4,292,776 18.
Fatimates for the remaining three quarters of
the year, and for the financial year of 1861,
together with his view of ways and moans for
meeting the deniands contemplated by them,
will be submitted to Congress by the Secretary
of the Treasury.
It is gratifying to know that the expenditures
made necessary by the rebellion are not beyond
the resources of the loyal people, and to believe
that the same patriotism which has thus far sus
tained' the Government will continue to sustain
it till peace and union shall again bless the
land.
I respectfully refer to the report of the Secre
tary of War for information respecting the nu
merical strength of the army and for recom
mendations, having in view an increase of its
efficiency 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 owasiun,and
that the number of troupe tendered greatly ex
ceeds the force which Congress authorized me to
call into the field.
I refer with pleasure to those portions of his
report which make allusion to the the credita
ble degree of discipline already attained by our,
troops and to the excellent sanitary condition of,
the entire army.
The recommendation of the Secretary for and
organisation of the militia upon a uniformbasin;
is a subject of vital importance to the future
safety of the country, and is comneruLd . to th e
serions,attention of Congress: • ;
' Thje large addition to - the , regbilar army inl
eon on with the defection that has , sq cord,
siderably diminished the number of its officers:
gives peculiar importance
.to his reconimendal
don for increasing the corps of Cadets to the;
greatest capacity of the Military AtademY.
By mere omission,l presume, Congress has
failed to provide Ch aplains for hospitals occupi
ed by volunteeers. 'This subject was broughf
to my notice, and I was induced to draw up 1114
form of a letter,One copy , of which, properly
addressed, has een delivered to each of the
persons. and at the dates, respectively named;
and stated in a schedule containing also the
form of the letter (letter marked A), and here
with transmitted.
The gentlemen I understood entered upoit
the dude. designated at the times respectively
stated in the schedule, and have labored faith
fully there ever since. I therefore recommend
that they be compensated at the same rates as
Onaplains in the /anti, further suggesting that'
general provision be made for Chaphiine
serve at Hospitals'as well as with regiments.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy pre:-
seats in detail the operations of , that branch of
the service, the activity and energy which have
character's dite administration and the results
of the measures to increase its efficiency and
power.
Such have been the additions by construction
and purchase, that it may almost be said a
Navy has been °tested and brbught into ser
vice since our difficulties commenced. Besid4s
blockading our extensive coast, squadrons larger
than ever before assembled under our flag, have
been put afloat and performed deeds which have
increased our Naval renown. -
I would invite special attention to the recom
mendation of the Secretary for a more perfe4t
organization of the Navy, brintroducing addi
tional grades in the Service. The present or
ganization is defective and unsatisfactory, and
the suggestions submitted by the Department
will, it is believed, if adopted, obviate the
diffi
culties alluded to, promote harmony, and in
crease the efficiency of the Navy. '
There are three vacancies on the bench of
the Supreme Court:; two by. the .decease of
Justices Daniels and McLean, and one by the
resignation of Justice Campbell. I have so far
forborne making nominations to fill these va
cancies for reasons which I will now state : TwO
of ithe outgoing Judges resided within• the
State now overrun by.revolt, so that .if their
successors were appointed in the same localities,
they could not now serve ipori their circuit,
and many of the most competent men there
probably would not take the personal.hasard
of accepting to serve, even here, upon the Su
preme bench. I have been unwilling to throW
all the appointments Northward, thus disabling
myself from doing justice to the South, on the
return of peace, although I may remark that to
transfer to the North one which has hitherto
been in the South. would not, with reference to
territory and population, be unjust.
During tho long and brilliant judicial 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 nomi
nal attendance, rising in population from
1,470,018 in 1860, to 6,151,405 in 1860. Be
sides this, the country generally has out
grown our present judicial system. If ani,
formity was at alt intended, the system` re
quires that all the State's shall be accommo
dated with Circuit courts attended by Supreme
Judges, while, in fact, Wisconsin, Minnesota,
lowa, oses, Florida, Texas, California and
Oregon have never bad any such Courts.
Nor ein this well be remedied, withotit
chunge of the system, because the adding of
Judges to the Supreme Court, enough. tor the
a. onnutodattou of all parts of the country with
Oircrtit Warp, woo.Kl create a court alt gp . i her
too numerous br a jfidicW hudy of any 800
Aud the evil, ifithil'otie; iPi}l'l'iiureaSAitiushiew
States come into the Union. Circuit Cow , 8
axe useful, or they are not useful. If useltti,
no State should be denied them. If not use-
ful, no State should have them. Let t hem be
provided for all, or abolished to all.
hree modifications occur to me, either of
Whicu I think would be au Improvement upon
our present system. Let the Supreme Court
be of convenient number in every event. Then
first, let the whole country be divided iuto cir
cuits of convenient size, the Supreme Judges to
serve in a number of them corresponding to
their , own numb sr, and independent Circuit
Judges be provided fur all the rest ; or, secon.i
ly, let the Supreme Judges be relieved from
Circuit duties, and CL cult Judges provided fur
all the Cireuits ; or, thirdly, airivehse with the
Circuit Courts altogether, leaving the Judicial
lunctions wholly to the iistiict Court and an
independent Supreme Court.
I respectfully recommend to the considera
tion or Congress the present condition or the
tatuta Laws, with the hope that Congress
will be able to find an easy remedy for many
of the inconveniences and evils which con
stantly embarrass those engaged in the plea
d:al administration of them. Since the orga
nization of Government, Congress has enacted
come five thousand acts and joint resolutions,
which fill more than six thousand closely
printed pages, and are scattered through many
volumes.
Many of these acts have been drawn in haste
and without sufficient caution, so that their
provisions are often- obscure in themselves, or
in conflict with each other; or at leaet, so
doubtfol as to tender it very difficult tor eves,
the best informed person to ascertain precisely
what the statute law_ really is. It seems tome
very important that the statute laws should be
made ad: plant and intelligible as possible,
and be reduced to as small a compass as may
consistosith the iullness and precision of the
Legislature and the perspicuity oi its language:
'Ws, well done, would, I think, greatly facili
tate the labors of those whose duty it is to as
sist' is toe admiuhrtration of the laws, and
would be a meting benefit to the people uy
plating before aim, in a more acceptible and
intelligible - form, the laws which so deeply con
cern tueir interests and their duties. lam in
tormed by some whose opinion I respect, that
all the acts of Congress now in force, and of a
permanent and general nature, might be re
vised and rewritten, so as to be embraced iu
one volume, or, at most, in two volumes, of
ordinary and commercial size, and I respect
fully recommr nd to Congress to consider on the
subject, and if my suggestion be approved, to
devise such plan as to their wisdom shall
seem most proper for the 'attainment of the
end proposed.
o.ie of 'the unavoidable consequences of the
insurrection is the entire suspension, in many
places, of all the ordinary means of adminis
tering civil justice by the officers and the
twins of existing law. This is the case in
whole, or. in part, in the imurgent States, and
and as our arwies advance and take possession
of parts of those States, it becomes mo.e tip ;
parent.
There are no courts or officers to which the
citizens of other States may apply for the en
forcement of their lawful chews against the
citizens of the insurgent States, and there vast
.mount of debt, constituting such claims, dome
have estimated as two hundred millions of dol
lars due, the large part from insurgents in open
rebellion, to loyal citizens who are even now
making great sacritimi in tun discharge of that
patriotic duty to support the Government.
Coder these circumstances I have been ur
gently solicited to establish by military power
Courts to administer summery justice in such
wises. I have rhos far deelititsi to do it, not
uecause I had any doubt that the end proposed ;
the c,ollection ot the debts was just and right
in itself, but because I have been unwilling to
go beyond the premature of necessity in the un-
usual exeicise of power. But the powers ot
Congress, I suppose, are equal to the anomalous
occasion, and I therefore refer the whole mattes
to Congress with the hope that a plan may be
devised for the administration of justice in _al l .
such parts of the inaurgent States- and darriti.)-
ries as may be under the control of this Govern-,
meat, whether by a voluntary return to alle
gtance and order, or by the power of our arms
this, however, not to be a permanent institu
tion, but a temporary subatitute, and to cease
as soon as the ordinary courts can be re estab
fished in peace. It is important that some mot--
convent ut means should be provided, if pos
sible; for the adjustment ot claims against tut
Government, espee.aliy iu view of their bi
creased number by reason of the war.
It, is es much the duty of Government
to render prompt justice against itself in favor
of citizens, as it is to administer the same be
iween private individuals—the investigation
and adjudication of claimsin their hands belong
'to the judicial department. Besides, it is ap
parent that the attention of Congress will be
more than unusually esgsged for some time hi
come with great national questions. It was in
tended by the organization of the Court of
Claims, mainly to remove this branch of the
business from the Halls of Congress. But while
the Court has proved to be an effective and
valuable means of investigation it fails in a
great degree to effect the object of its creation
for want of poWer to make its' judgments final
Fully'aware Of the delicaey, not to say the dan
ger, of this subject, I commend to your careful
consideratiOn whether this power of making
judgments final may not properly be given to
the Court reserving the right of appeal on ques
tions of law to the Supreme Court—with such
other provisions as experience may have shown
to be necessary.
I ask attention to the report of the Postmas
ter General, the following being a summary
statement of that Department ;--The revenue
from all , sources during the fiscal year ending
June go, 1861, ineltiding the annual peimanent
appropriation of, seven hundred thousand dol
lars for the transportation of free mail ` matter,
nine millions, forty : sine thousand two hundred
and ninety sia dollars and forty cents, being
aboat two, per cent. kw than the revenue.
For 1860, the expenditures were $48,606,-
750 11, showing a decrease of more than eight
per cent., as.compared with those of the pre
sent; year, and leaving au excess of expendi
tures over the revenue for the last fiscal yearof
$4,657,462. 71. The gross . revenue for the
year ending June 80th, 1868, is estima*lai an
iricrease.tof four, per cant; .upon that: : of 1861,
making $8,688,000, to which
cad. &dad
the earnings of the Department in rrying free
matter, viz.: $700,000, making $9,888,000.
The total expenditures for 1868 are estimated
at $12,620,000, leaving an estimated deficiency
of three millions one hundred and forty.fiVe
thousand dollars to be supplied from the Trea
sury, in addition to the permanent appropria
tion:
The present insurrection shows, I think, that
the extension of this district across the Potom-
ac river at the time of establishing the Capital
here. was eminently wise, and consequently that
the relinquishment of that portion of it which
lies within the State of Virginia was unwise
and dangerous. I submit tor your consider
don the expediency of regaining that, part of
the district, and the restoration of the original
boundaries thereof, through negotiations with
the State of Virginia.
I:he report of - the Secretary of the Interior,
with .the accompanying documents, exhibits
the condition of the several branches of the
public service (P 2 and 8) pertaining to that
Department. The depressing influences of the
insurreution have been especi:►liy felt in the
op4rations of the Patent and General Land
Offices.
; The cash receipts from the Bales of, public
lands during the put year have:exceeded. the
I itlXPiillMeS:Ot our land . systeni only about two
tuMilreil thousand The sales have been
entirely suspended in the southern titareaothile
the interruption to the business of the country
and the diversion of large numbers of men from
labor to military service, hare obstructed set-
Clements ht the new States and Territories of
the Northwest.
The receipts of the Patent Office have declin
ed in nine months about $lOO,OOO rendering a
large deduction of the force employed necessa
ry to make it self-sustaliiii.g.
The demands upon the Pension Office will be
largely increased by the insurrection.
imams applications for pensions, based up
on the atusualrties of the existing war, have al
ready been made. There is reason to believe
that many who are now upon the pension roils,
and in receipt of the bounty of the Govern
ment, are in the ranks of thelnsurge-nt• army,
giving them aid and comfort. The Secretary
of the Interior has directed a suspension of the
payment of the pensions of such persona upon
proof or their disloyalty.
I recommend that Congress authorize that
officer to cause the names of such persons to
be stricken from the pension roll.
The relations of the Government with the
Indian tribes have been greatly disturbed by
the insurrection, especially in the Southern
Superintendency, and in that of New Mexico.
The Indian country south uf Manses is in the
possession of insurgents from Texas and Arkan
sas.
The agents of the United States Government
appointed since the 4th of March for this super
intendency, have been unable to reach their
posts, while the meet of those who were in the
office before that time, have espoused the in
surrectionary cause, sad assume to exercise the
powers of agents by virtue of commissions from
the insurrectionists.
It has been stated in the 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 inffirmation upon this subject,
letters have been written to the Commissioner
of Indian Affairs by several prominent Chiefs,
giving assuranee of their loyalty to the United
States and expressing, a wish for the presence of
Federal troops to protect them. It is believed
that upon the re-powiession Of the country, by
the Federal forces, the Indians will readily
cease all hostile demonstrations and resume
their former relations to the Government
Agriculture, confessedly the largest interest
of the nation, has not a Department or a bu•
reau but a deikship only assigned to it in the
Government. While it is fortunate that this
great interest is so independent in its nature as
to not have demanded and extorted more from
the Government, I respectfully ask Congress
consider whether something more cannot be
given voluntarily with general advantage.
Annual reports exhibiting the condition of
our agriculture, commerce and manufacture,
would present , a fund of information of great
practical value to the country. While I make
no suggestion as to details, I venture the opin
ion that an Agricultural and Statistical Bureau
might profitably be organized.
'the execution of the laws for the suppression
. of the Airican Slave Trade, has been confided
to the Department of the Interior. It is a sub
ject of gratulation that the efforts which have
been made for the, suppression of this inhuman
itallie, have been i ecently attended with
un
u.ual success. Five vessels being fitted out fur
the slave trade have been seized andcoodemned
Two mates of vetkiels engaged in the trade, and
one person engaged in equipping a slaver, have
+wen convicted and subjected to the penalty
of fine and imprisonment; and one captain
taken with a cargo of Africans on hoard his
yes el, besbeen convicted of the highest grade
of offence under our laws, the punishment of
which is death. • • •
The Territories of Colorado, Dacota and Ne
vada, created hy the last Coogread, have been
Aganized, and civil administration has been
inaugurated therein under_ auspices especially
gratifying - , alien IV Li conaidtlreci that the lea
ven of treason was found existing in some to
these new countries when the Federal officers
arrived there. 'the abundant ,native resources
f these territotieti, with the stculity and pro
tection offered by an organised Government,
will doubtless *vita.to theme a largat„imixtigra
ion, when peace 'Mall restore the business of
the country to its accustomed channels.
I submit thp resolutions of the Legislature of
Colorado, Which evident the patriotic spirit of
tee people of the Territory.
So far the authority of the United States has
been upheld in all the Territories, as it is hoped
it will be in the future. I commend their in
terests and defence to the enlightened and gen
erous care of Congress.
I recommend to the favorable consideration
of Congress the interests of the District. of Col
umbia. The insurrection has been the cause of
much suffering and Hamitic° to its inhabitants,
and as they have no representative in Congress,
should not overlook their just claims upon the
Government.
At your late session a joint resolution was adopt
ed authorizing the President to take measures
ior facilitating a proper representation of the
industrial interests of the United States, at the
Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations, to
oe holden at London in the year 1862.
I regret to say, I have been unable to give
personal attention to this subject—a subject at
once so interesting in itself, and so extensively
and intimately connected with the -material
prosperity of the world. Through the Secreta
ries of State and of the Interior, a plan or sys
tem has been devised and partly matured, and
which will be laid before you.
Under and by virtue of the Act of Congrees,
entitled An Act to Confiscate Property used for
Insurrectionary Purposes,' approved August 6th,
1/161;tbe•legal claims of certain persons to the
labor and service of certain other persons have
become forteited, and numbers of the latter thus
liberated are already dependent on the United
States, and must be provided for in some way.
Besides This it is not impossible that some of the
States will pass similar enactments -for their
own benefit respectively, and by operalion of
which persons of the same class will be thrown
upon them for disposal.
In such case I recommend thatOongretai pro-
vide for accepting such persona from such States
according to some mode of valuation in lieu
pro tanto of direst taxes, or upon some other
plan to be agreed upon with such States respec
Lively, that such persons on such acceptancei
by the General- Government be at once deemed
free, and that=ln any event steps be taken foi
colonizing. both , classes (or •the one first men.:
tioned if the other shall not- be brought into
existence,) at some place or places in a climate
congenial to themNlt might be *ell- to consider
too, whether the free colored people area,* ilk
the United States, could not, so far as individl
uals may desire, be included -in such coloniral
To carry out the =plan of colonization may
involve the acquiring of territory and also the
appropriation of money beyond that to be ex
pended in the territorial acquisition. Having
practised the acquisition of territory for nearly
sixry years,. the question of the Constitutional
power to do so is no longer an open one with
us. The power was questioned at first by Mr.
Jefferson, who, however, in the. purchase of
Louisiana, yielded his scruples on the plea of
great expediency.
if it be said that the only, legitimate object
of acquiring territory is to furnish hi.mes for,
white men, this measure effects that object, for
emigration of colored men leaves additional
room for white men remaining or coming here.
Mr. Jefferson, however, placed the importance
of procuring Louisiana more on political and
commercial grounds, than on providing room
for population.
On this whole proposition s including, the ap
propriation of moneys with the acquisition of
territory, does not the expediency amount to
obsolute namely without which ;the Govern
ment itself cannot .be :perpetuated if the War
:continues.... •
Li considering tint policy: to_Lbsiadoptect for
suppressing the insurrection, I have been anx
ious and careful that the invitable conflict for
this purpose shall not degenerate into a violent
and remorseless revolutionary struggle. I have
therefore, in every case, thought it proper to
keep tile integrity of tha Uniou prominent : s
tne prl nary object of toe contest on our put,
le.evirt.; all questions which are not of v tal
military imp rtau"e, to the more delioerate
action of the legislature;
In the exercise of my best discretion I have
adhered to the blockade of the ports held by
the insurgents, instead of putting in totce by
proclamation the law of Congress e-eacted at
the late se: Sion for cloring this° ports. So
also, obeying the dictates or prudence as well
the obligations of hew, instead of transcending
I have adhered to the act of Congress to con&
cats property used for iusurrectionary pur
poses If a new law upon the same subject
shall be proposed, its propriety will be duly
considered.
The Union must be preserved, and hence all
indispensable means must be employed. We
shall not be in haste to determine that radical
and . extreuie measure, which may reach the
loyal as well as the disloyal, are indispensable
Tee Inaugural address at the beginning of
the Administration and the message to Con
gress at the. late special session, were both
mainly devoted to the domestic controversy
out of which the insurrection and consequent
war have sprung.
Nothing more occurs to add or substract to
or from the principles of general purposes stated
and expressed in that document. The last ray
of hope for preserving the Union, peaceably,
expired at the assault upon Fort Sumter, and a
general review of what has occurred since may
nut be unprofitable.
What was painfully uncertajn Olen, is much
better defined and more distinct now, and the
progress of events is plainly in the right direc
tion. The insurgents confidently claimed a
strong support from Nortllof Mason and Dixon's
line, and the friends of the Union were.not free
from apprehension on that point. This, how
ever, was soon settled definitely and on the
right aide.
South of the line, noble little Delaware led
off right from the first. Maryland was made to
seem against the Union. Our soldiers were as
saulted, bridges were burned, and railroads torn
up within her limits, and we were many days,
at one time, withnut the ability to bring a sin
gle regiment over her soil to the Capital.
Now her bridges and railroads are repaired
and open to the Government. She already
gives seven regimenh3 to the cause of the Union,
and none to the nemy, and her people at a re
gular election have sustained the Union by a
large majority, and a larger aggregate vote
than they ever. before gave to any candidate on
any question.
Kentucky too, for some time in doubt, is
now decidedly, and, I think, unchangeably,
ranged on the side of the Union. fdissouri is
comparatively quiet, and I believe cannot again
be overrun by the insurrectionists. These three
States of Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri,
neither of which wou d promise a single sol
dier at first, have now an aggr, gate of not less
than forty thousand in the tie d, fOr the Union
while of their citizens, certainly not more than
a third of that number, and they of doubtful
whereabouts and doubtful existence, ate in
arms against it. After a somewhat bloody
struggle of mcinths winter closes on the Union
people of Western Virginia, leaVing them mas
ters of their own country,
An insurgent force of about fifteen hundred
for months dominating the narrow peninsular
region of the counties of Accomac and North
ampton, and known as the I.'astern shore of
Virginia, together with some contiguous parts
of Maryland, have laid down their arms, and
the people there have renewed their allegiance
to and accepted the irotection of the old flag.
This leave no armed insurrection north of the
Potomac or east of the Chea.peake.
Also, we have obtained a foAing at each of
the isolated points on the southern coast of
'flattenta, Port Royal, Tybee Island, near Savan
nah, and Ship Island ; and we likewise have
some general accounts of popular moveme .in
',behalf of the Union. I* villor* • • v• •
Tennessee. Melte thina demonatute th •
cause of the Union is advancing steadily too tat
*tad.
Since your laßt adfournment, Lieutenatit-Gert
eral 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 from a time far habit in
our his Wry, when few of the now livinghad been
born, and thenceforward continually, I cannot
but think we are still his debtors. I submit,
therefore, for your consideration, what further
mark of recognition is due to hint and to our
selves, as a grateful people.
With theretirement of Gettbral Stott, came
the executive duty of eppointiog in his stead a
General-in-Chief of the army. It is a fortu
nate circumstance that neither in council or
country was there, so far as I know, any differ
ence of opinion as to the proper person to be
selected. The retiring Chief repeatedly ex
pressed his judgment in favor of General Mc-
Clellan for the position, and in'this the nation
I decreed to give a unanimous concurrence.
The designation of General McClellan is
therefore in a considerable degree, the selection
of the country as well as of the Executive, and
hence there is better lesson to hope that there
will be given him the confidence and cordial
support thus, by fair implication, promised,
I and without which be cannot with so full effi.-
ciency serve the country. It has beta said
that one bad general is better than two good
ones, and the saying is true, if taken to mean
no more than that ourarmy is better directed
by a single mind,' though inferior, than by
two superior ones, at redline° and crt•es pur
-1 posei with each other. And the same is true
in all joint observations wherein those eng.ged
can have none but a common end in vie* and
can differ only as to the choice of weans.
1 In a storm at sea, no one can wish the ship
to sink, and yet, notunfrequently, all go down
together, because too many will direct, and no
single mind can be allowed , to control.
It continues to deve.op that the insurrection
"is largely, if not excliisively, a - war upon the
first princii,les of 'popular government—the
rightS of the pedple. Conclurive evidence of
this is found in the most grave and maturely
considered public documents, as well as in the
general tone of the, insurgents.
In these documents we find the abridgement
of the exiAinglight of suffrage, and the denial
to the people.pf all right to participate in the
seliotion of public officers, except the Legiala
ture, boldly advocated, with labored arguments,'
to prove that large control of the people In Gov
ernment is the source of all political evil. Mo
narchy itself is sometimes limited at as a possi
ble refuge from the power of the people.
In my present position I could seareely be
justified wen; I to omit raisin* a warning voice
against this approach of returning despotism
It is not needed nor fitting here that a gen
eral argument should be matte in favor of po
pular institutions. But there is one puiut with
its connections, Lot so hackneyed as most
others, to which I ask a brief attention.
It is the effort to place capital on an equal
footing with if not above labor, in the struc
ture of the Government. It is assumed that
labor is available only in connection with cap
ital that nobody labors unless somebody else
owning capital, somehow by the use of it, in
duces him to labor. This resumed, it is next
considered whether it is best that capital shall
hire laborers, and thus induce them to work by
their own consent, or buy them and drive them
to it without their consent. •
Having.proceeded so far,' it is naturally con
cluded that all laborers are either hired labor
ers or what,we call slaves_; lAnd further, it is
assumed, that whoever is once a hired laborer,
is fixed le: that•conditionlnrdife..o i Now there is
no such relation between capital and labor, ad
assumed, nor is there any such thing as a free
man being fixed for life In the rendition of a
hired laborer. Both tl-7-------7"---ieue a. ,,, uttiptu w . : ~,:—.:--;
and all inferences from them art - ',
''..
Labor is prior to and mikpeivient ~i '...'
Capital is only the fruit of labor and , j,' "':
have existed if labor had nor tie eaur,.,'''
labor is the supetior of capital atl 1, -, r ,
much higher consideration. c Thal t, ' ,,. i '''.
rights, which are as worthy of pm i ' a,
any other rights. Nor is it denied tent 4 , - ;
is and probably always will be a rela r I,_ .
tween labor and capital, producing Ilon a ,i n t:„
efits. The error is in te:suining that tiewh„;:
labor of the community exists within that r'
Ai.
tion.
A few men own capital, and that few m i .; i
labor, oibny another few to labor for th,m '.;
large majority beli ng to to
r elas:. ' k i th "
work for others nor have others workin fir
them. g ,
In moat of the Southern States a rolj ua i ts .:
the whole
slaves nor masters, ,
while in of all roan t at, °`i ter
e N" irtetri.
large majority are neither lain I'Sh uur hirehd. a 11,
with their families, wives, sour and d tlig ta,..,
work for themselves on their fartm , • it tiitil:
houses, and in their sho, taking tie Ah.,i ,
product to themselves, and asking no l iv 1.
capital on the one band nor of Lind lati,,r,',
or slaves on the other.
It is not forgotten that a consider die t op z
ber of persons mingle thair own 1, 1 / 4 ~,,,
their eapital—that is, thy labor uith t ,...
own hands and also buy ur hire utile, to 14
for (bent : but this is only a mix« d a,l „,„
distinct class. N u Kin, ipie stated L. ilisturti
by the existence of this mixed eta„
Again, as has already been said, th,re , L :
of necessity any such thing as the fr , :e 1, T ,.,,
laborer being fixed to that contitti.iil.,r 1C
i
Many independent men everywhere t, t:,,..
States, a few years back in their lives 14e;,
hired laborers.
The prudent, penniless beginner in it.,: w r'',
labors for wages a while, saves a hi.:•1..!1. a
~
which to buy tools or land fur hitu. , it, e t ..
libors on his own account another wLi.e. a , :
at length hires another new beginner to a,.: ,
him.
This is the just, and generous and priity. 7 „
system which opens the way to all, cir,ii s
to all, and consequently energy ail
and improvement of condition to all. N
living are more worthy to be trusted tl.,tri
who toil up from poverty.
None less inclined to take or toili I.
which they have not honestly earned. Ltti ttrz :
beware of surrendering a political Nixie ;
they already possess, anil which, it
will surely be used to close the door of advo.:&
memt against such as they, awl to fix new
bilities and burdens upon them, till all
arty shall be lost.
From the first taking of our nati , nAl
to.the last one, seventy years, and we tiL+
population at the end of the period erzut 11w.
as great as it was at the beginuin;
...-
crease of those other things which tnn
desirable has been greater.
We thus have at one view what the
principle applied to G.renaneut 'lir
machinery or the States and the
produced in a given time. en I ak, vS t
firmly maintained, it promises for the
There are already among us those Wll,l,
.f •:,
Union be preserved, will live to ber
two hundred and fifty millions. The
of today is not altogether for to-d ty; :t
vast future also. With a reliance or:
dance, all the more firm
and eitne,thd u.
oeed in the great task which event, hrr, dc
volved upon us.
ABRAHASI LIYCULN
WARECNOTON, December 3, 1861.
BY TELECIAPI
ELECTION IN NEW YORK
N C R Yeas...lw. L.
The talon in this city to-day resaltel
the succesut George Opedyke, the
can candidaW The vote is as fullocc , -Fe
George Opedyke, Republican, 252.3 J ,
Godfrey Gunther, Tammany Democrat, *:4
to Fernando Wood, iliostrt,
A REBEL EXPELLED FROII THE H , IICF,
WASISINCTION,
Mr. Barnet, the Secession member from the
First Kentucky District, has been es , ,elimi oys
vote of the House.
A NEW MILITARY IVORK,
JUST PUBLISHED
AND FOR SALE AT
BERGNER'S CHEAP BOOK SAW
NO. 51 MARKET STRW,
HARRISBURG, PA•
Major General McClellan's Works,
THE ARMIES OF EUROPE : comp-h.:ad .tt,
alptions in detail of the Milan):
pf England, France, Russia, Prussia,
and Sardinia. Adapting their rut v.tut.te ,
arms of the United States Service. i.ettktl'
ing the Report of Observations in Euler
tug the Crimean War, as Military Cuututet.lr
er from the United States lluv.rumeni
56. By Cm. B. hicCturaor, :Major-in:is:re
S. Army. Originally published IlUder
ttz
direction of the War Department, by crnr
Congress. 1 vol. Bvo. Illustrated wish 5 G:l 2
steel Portrait and several hundred Eu,;rotri:'
$3.60.
This most interesting volume, prepared
great labor by General Alcara..tas, truer iOFi
ous notes taken during his tour of o brer\
in Europe, under orders from the 15'4r 1.1..:a1t,
ment, opens to the reader much la: own
military history and culture. Here oft 1e
found his matured views on subjetts lato
diate and absorting interests, and the Luke
and bold suggestions contained henia
evhe
now in position to realize, and is:, ill t.t'" ery.
"y applying in practice. The to)" 1, 5 bITIh..
ing prophecy, of which his present p.,.-Atien autl
his assured fame are the bright itnututent.
REGULATIONS AND INSTRR'IIuSS fOF
THE FIELD SERVICE OF THE G. S .Vlit"
1 1 - -
RY IN TIME OF WAR. By Om. B. 1 10 -
LAN, rithjOr-4:16 aeral U. S. Army. To oulc.L
added, the Ba,,is of Instruction for the L
Cavalry, from the authorized Tactio3, mai>:
the formation of regiments and squadrea ,,
duties and posts of of lessons in the ttaY,
ing use of the horse, illustrated hy ununo.ht
diagrams, with the signals and calla
use ; &ISO, instructions for officers and ao ,r ,
commissioned officers on outpost Lind reri .s"
duty. With a drill fur the use of ctivte
skirmishers, mounted and dismounted 1 v"
12mo. Fully illustrated.
PROF. T Etlih''
O
WOULD respectiully forth 0 ,,
patrons and the public geuerey, two
Continue to give instructions on the NAN°
LODEON L VIOLIN and also In the science 0 , Joule
BASS. He will w'th pleasure wait diko. pupils 01,
hug " otthomee any hour desired, or .oaeone *id ae , 1 ,1 . 1 " ;
id
residence, fa Third str , et.
German Reformed Church.
NO I'ICE
ALLJohnpfteorwaeorn, teinoirlubsgtueedtat., ttletle4.tra,lo,;°°spdf.
ed are required to make pay.ae• to ,111
All potions having otaiat , /post the said
present them for seMemmt to
of
novAdis4mtartasesatiotor tan theout. Solla;rerl'ibal4