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vcri. 351 air.
'OLUME XVIII
THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE,
!MEIN CONGRESS TUESDAY, DECEM•
BER 6TH, 1864.
'reloto.eithens of the Senate and Rouse of
Representatives:
Again the blessings of health and an abun
dant harvest claim our profoundest gratitude
to Almighty God.
, The condition of oar foreign affairs is rev
. sonably satisfactory.
• Mexico continues to be a theatre of civil
war. While our political relations with that
country have undergone no change, we have,
it the same time strictly maintained a new
irelity,between the belligerents.
At the request of the States of Costaßica
and Nicaragua, a competent engineer has
been authorized to make a survey of the riv
er San Jean, and the port of San Juan. .It
is a source of much satisfaction that the dif
ficulties which for a moment excited some po
litical apprehensions and caused a closing a
the inner-oceanic transit mute, have been
tudeably_adkastedoind that there_itut,:gootLl
prospect - thut the route - will soon be -re-open--,
cd, with an increase of capacity and adapta- '
tion. We could not exaggerate either the
• commercial or the political importance of
that: great improvement.
It would be doing justice to an important
south American State not to acknowledge
the directuess,lrtinkness and cordiality with
whiele the United States of Columbia have
entered into intimate relations with ibis Gov
ernmeat. A Claims Convention has .been
constituted lo complete the nebeished work
of the one which"closed its session in Mil.
The new liberal constitution of Venezeula
having•gone into effect with the universal
aequiescenee of the people, the government
under it has been recog nized and diplomatic
intercourse with it has been opened in a cor
dial' spirit. The long deterred Aresas land
+claim has been satistactorially paid and dis
charged.
Mutual payments hare been made of the
claims awarded by the late joint commission
• fur the settlement of elaims.,between the Ig
nited States and rem Au earnest. and cor
dial friendship continues to exist between
the two countries, and such efforts as were
in my power have been used to remove tills-
Understandings 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 ilayti.
During the past }ear nn differences of any
kind have arisen with guy of 'these Repub ;
lies, and on the other band, their s . niptit,i . * s
with the United States are constantly ex, vss ,
ed with cordiality and earnestne.:s.
The claim arising from the 'seip.ii;•o tl l d
cargo of brig Macedonia ie IS4 has been
. paid in full by the Government 01 Chili.
Civil war continues in the Spanish vast of
Eau Domingo, :Apparently uittlont r .m s poe,, I
of an early close,
• correspondence
has been lively opened with Liberia, and it
gives us ti pleasing vi social and polit.
_-ical_progress-in-that—Reirn , a 4
expected to deritc new vigt. from American
influence, improved by the r id disappear
ance of slavery in the United States.
I soticir. your authority to Jut nish to the.
Republic a gunboat of eloderite Cost-, to he
reimbursed to the United-States _by_iustall.
tneets. Stroh a vessel is needed for the safe
'. ty df that State against the native Afilean
races, and in , Liberian hands it would be
More effective in arresting -the African slave
trade-than a squadron in our own hands.
The possession of the least organized tin.-
- val-force- would-stimulate. a generous ambi
t-on in the Republic and the confidence
Which we should manifest by furnishing it
would win forbearance and favor toward the
colony from all civilized nations
The proposed overland telegraph between
America and Europe, by the way of Behr..
brigs Straights and Asiastic Russia, which
was sanctioned by Congress at the last ses
sion, has been undertaken under very favor
able eircurnstapees ) by an association of Amer
ican citizens, with the cordial good will and
support as well of this government as of those
at Great Britain and Russia Assurances
have beta received from most of the South
American States of their appreciation of the
enterprise ) and their readiness to 'ec-operate
in constructing lines tributary to that world
encircling communication. I learn with sat
_ isfaction that the noble design of a telegraph
ic communication between the eastern coast
of America and Great Britain bus been re
newed, with full expectation of its accom
plishruent.
ThUs it is hoped that with the return of
domestic peace, the country will be able to
resume with energy and advantage its for
mer high career of tranunerce and civilisa
tion. •
.Our very popular and estimable represen
tative in Egypt died in April last. An 'un
pleasant altercation which arose between the
temporary incumbent of tne office and the
government of )the,..Pacha resulted in a sea. ,
• pension of intercourse. The evil was prompt
-1y corrected on the arrival of the successor in
tfie,consuiate, and our relations with Egypt
IBS .as our relations,
with .the Barbary
FOWCIVare entirely. .satieractory.
-The rebellion :which has so • long been
prevalent-in 'Chins lomat last 'been suppress
ed With the .en-operating good offices.ot this
Getternment t 'aud : of the other Western coin-
Ineacialfitates. ,
The judicial consular establishment Aber&
tiaVe - porno very dilfkeult and onerous, nod it,
Will needlegislative-revision adept-it to
the,exteaston of ourcomtuorce, and to the
Intomaltiumte intercourse -whiontas bowl in :
*diluted' with Abe govetwnent And 143ople , or'
, tbet'veet'entpire. -
Chitisteeetnetto 'be L ocal hear
Mast *tin
good4Will , the4onveltional laws ithich , toga.
litwoominatoial*doocial intoiconme amov
-tholkatena ,421iing to - theptionliar
ofJsiilin and the anomalous fcfrot
S i ari:o47 *eruCtlEsristat , er a ATOtitriil in isbcolitioa atms. izt.eatEgiqtk,a
tkiisiiiiiii, FRANKLIN CONTY,IENNST,LYANLit, FRIDAY MORNING, .DECEMBER 16 . 1:864:
, ,
)of its Government, the action of 'that Em
pire in Perftwining treaty stiptilatiens is in
constant 'and,eaprioiousr. Nevertheless gond
progress has been affected by the Western
Powers moving , with. enlightened concert.—
Our Own pecuniary 'claims have; been allow
-ed;orareis:--part,ireeoicaulisetclement, and
the Inland. Sea has\iseen re-opened to eerie
mem, There is reason to believe that these
- proceedings have increased rather than di
minished the friendship of Japan towards
the United States.
The ports of Norfolk, Fernandina anti Pen
sacola have been, opened by proclamation.—
It is hoped that foreign merchants *ill con
silet whether it is not safer and more profit
able to themselves, as well as just to the U
sited States, to resort to these and other open
ports, than it is to pursue, through many
hazards, and at vast cost a contraband trade
with otherportVniiiels are - clesed; if not by
actual military occupation, at least by a law
ful and effective blockade. For myself, I
have no doubt ot the power and-duty - of - the
Executive under the law of nations to ex
_eln.deenernies of the human race from an asy
lum- in- the-United_ States— If_e_ongress
should think that the proceedings in such
cases lack the authority of law, or ought to
be further regulated by it, I recommend that
provisions be made for effectually preventing
foteign slave traders from acquiring domicil
'and .facilities for their criminal occupation in
our country. It is possible 6o:0f it were a
new and open question, the maritime powers,
with the rigsts they now enjoy, would not
concede the privileges of a naval belligerent
to the insurgents of the 'United States, des
titute as they are tied always have been, e
qually of ships of war and of ports and har
bors. Disloyal emissaries have been, never
theless, assiduous, nor more successful du
ring the last year than they were before that
time in their efforts, under the favors of that
privilege to embroil our country in foreign
war. The desire and determination of - the
government of the Maritime States to defeat
that design are believed to be as sincere, and
cannot he more earnest, than our own Nev.
or! bei >s, unforseen political iiiiiieulties have
arisen in _Brazilian atol British ports, and on
the northern boundary of the United States,
which hare required, and are likely to con
tinue to require, the raetiee of constant
lance, and a just and cateiliatory spirit on
the part of :he United states, :as well as of
the nations concern and their govern
ments. •
COmmissi -• -rs ,re been apptinted under
the treaty reat Britain on the adjust:
ment of the aims or the Hudson's Bay and
Puget's 1-.,: o und Agricultural Companies in
Oregon, and are now proceeding to the exe
cution of the trust assigned to them.
In view of the, insecurity of life.and prop
city in the region adjacent to the, Canadian
'tor ler, by season of recent assaults and dep
redations committed by inimical and desper
ate per.-ons - who are harbored there, it has
been thought proper to give notice that af•
ter the expiration of six mouths, the, period
constitutionally stipulated in the existing ur
migement tvi - th G
States must Lold thismselves•at liberty to in•
crease dick naval armament upon the Lakes,
if they shall find that proceeding necessary
The condition of the border will necessarily
come into consideration, in connection with
the question Of con tinuieg or modifying the
rights of transit from Canada throw-4h the
United Stares, as well as the re.i.rulation of
imports which was temporarily established
by the reciprocity trtsaty of June sth, 1545-1.
I desire, however, to be understood, while'
making the statement, that the colonial au•
thorities of Canada arc not deemed,to be in
tentionally Unjust ttnd unfriendlS , towards
the United. States, but on the contrary there
is every reason to expect that, with the ap
proval of the Imperial Government, they will
take the necessary measures to prevent new
incursions across the border.
/The pet passed nt the Lite session fot the
encouragement of emigration has, so far as
was possible, been put into operation. It
seems•to need amendment which will enable
the officers of the ,Government to prevent
the practice of frauds against the immigrants
while on their way, and on their arrival in
the ports, so as to Bemire them hero free
choice of avocations and places of settlement.
A liberal disposition towards - .this great na
tional policy .is manifested by most of the
European States and ought to be reciprocat
ed on our part, by giving the immigrants of
fectivc national protection.
I regard our immigrants as one of the
principal replenishing streams which are ap
pointed by Providence to repair the ravages
of internal war and its wastes ornationat
strength and health. Ail that. is necessary
is to secure the flow of that stream in its
present fellness, and to that cod the Gov
eminent must in every way make it manifest
that it neither needs nor designs to inittase
involuntary military service upon those who
come from other lands to cast their lot in our
country.
The financial affairs of the Government
have been successfully administered during
the last year. The legislatin of The last
session of Congress has binefimallyeffected,
the revenues, although sufficient time hum
not yet elapsed to experience the full effect
, of several of the provisions of the acts of
Congress imposing increased taxation.
.The receipts. -during thwyear from all sour
cos upon the basis of Warrants signed by the
Beeretary of the Treasury; 11:winding, 'loans,
and, the balance in the TreaStiry on the Ist
dai:Ofjuly, 1863; where 81,894,796,007 ALL
and the aggregate disbursements upon. the
same basis were 81,298,056,191 89, leaving
,a.bolanee in the Treasury, (16 15110V1:1 b y war
rants, of 6.96 7.89 99513;
' 'lhatinet Item -these atiletnitaltho amount of
;the printirt of the; public e'debt redeeried,
'an'd amount ~ . of' sfitkoi4i4i,tion
therefor nod Abe oetnel eoskoperatioos of the
'Treason:were:, Receipts, i5884,01:6,646,671
Diehirt.etrient tv,5865;284;087 86 'Tith ieh leaves
a east batanne in Ober Treasuiy of $18,842,
558 Tl. . . _
Of the receipts, there were derived from.
customs 8102,316,152,99; from lands, 8588,-
333,29; from direct taxes, 4475,648,96;1mm
internal revenue, 8109,741,134,10; from tnis
cellatteows schirces, 847,511,448.10; and from
loans applied to actual expenditures, inclu
ding former balance, 8623,443,929.13,
There were dispursed , for the civil service
$27,508,599.46, for pensions and Indians
871,517,930.97; for the War Department,
8690,791,84'2.975 for the Navy Departinent,
885,733,202.77; for interest on the public
debt, $53,685,824.69; : making - rm — agate
of $865,234,087.86; and leaving a balance in
the treasury of 418,842,558.71, as before sta
ted. For the actual receipts and disburse
ments for the first quarter, and the estima
ted receipts and disbursements for the three
remaining quarters of the current fiscal year,
and the general operations of the Treasury
in detail, I refer you tothe report of the Sec
_ . _
treasury.
that the
- retary - of - th - C
,--requireti-to-meet - the — expenses consequent
upon the war derived from taxation, should
be still Further increasedi 1. earnest y in
vite your attention to this subject to the end,
lit there may be such additional legislation
as shall be required to meet the just expec
tations of the Secretary.
The public debt on the Ist of July last, as
appears y the books of the tteusury, amoun
l i:i
ted to on ,billicu seven hundred and - or - y
thousand ißions six hundred and ninety thou
sand four hundred and eighty-nine dollars
and forty.nine cents. Probably should the war
continue fur another year that amount will
be increased by not far from five hundred
millions. Held as it is for the most part -by
our own people it has become a substantial
branch of national, though private, property:-
For obvious reasons the more nearly this pro
perty can be.distrihuted amone ° all the peo
ple the better. To favor such general distri
butim greater inducements to become own
ers might' perhaps_with good effect any wit -
out injury, kpresented to persons °Him' , I
means. With, this view I. suggest whether
it might not be both competent and expedi
ent for Qungress to provide that a limited a
mount of some future issue of public securt.
ties might be held by any bona fide parches
er,.execiipt from taxation and from seizure
for debt, under such restrictions end limita
tions as might be necessary to guard, against
abn'e of so important a privilege. This would
enable every prudent person to set aside, a
small annuity against a possible day of want.
Privileges like these would render the pos
session of such securities, to the amount Hui.
ited, most desirable to every person of small
means who might be able to save enough for
the purpose. The great advantage of citi
zens being creditors as well as debtors, with
relation to the public debt, is obvious. Nen
readily perceive that they cannot be much
oppressed by a debt which they owe to them
selves. . _
I. The public debt on the Ist day of ! Tilly
last, althoughsotnewhat exceeding the esti.
mate-of-the-Secretary-el.-th-eiTremury > rut
to Congress at the commencement of the last
session, falls short of the estimate of that of
ficer made in the preeedino. t' December; as' to
its probable amount at theh
ginning of this
year, by the sum of $3,91)5,097.31. This
het exhibits a satisfactory condition and con
duct of_the-operations ot 'the Treasury.
The National Ranking system is roving
to be acceptable to capitalists and to the peo
ple. 'On the 25th day of November five hun
dred and eighty four national banks had been
authorized, a considerable number of which
were conversions from State banks. Chinges
from the State system to the National sys
tem 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 hank-note circulation not
secured by the Government. That the Onv
eruinent and the people will derive great ben
efit from this change in the banking system
of the country can hardly be questioned.—
•The national system will create a reliable and
permanent influence in support ,of the na
tional credit, and protect the people against
losses in the issue of paper money. Wheth
er or not any further legislation is advisable
for the suppression of State bank issues it
will be for Congress to determine.
It seetus'quite - clear that the Treasury can
not be satisfactorily conducted unless . the
Government can exercise a restraining pow
er over the bank-note circulation of the coun
, try.
The report of the Secretary of War and
the accompanying documents will detail the
-- campaigns - of - the - armie - s - in - the - field -- since
the date of the hat annual message, and also
the operations of the several administrative
bureaus of the War Department during the
last year. It will also specify the measures
-deemed essential for the national defence and
to keep up and supply the requisite military
force.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
presents a: comPtchensiie and satisfoctory
eskiibit of the affai ra.of that Department, and
of the navnl service:, , 'it sublect.of con
oratulation` and'htudoble pride to our `coun
trymen, that a navy of intelk vast proportions
has been organliedin,so„brlef a period, and
conducted with so much efficiency and sue
.
The general exhibit of the slay) , including
verise:ls under construction, on the list of De.
eeuiber, 1863, shows a total '64 671 vessels,
carrying 4,610 guns and of 510,396 toils, be.
ing an actual increase during the year, over
and above all losses by shipwreck and battle,
of 83 vessels, 167 guns, 4*.i,4:27 ,,, tons. The
totalc umber .ot sues this`tinni is the us
iarservice, including officers, is sh u nt. - 514-
ogo. There"have been captured ,the
vy daring Ate xcae,',324 vessels; and the to'.'l
tat inittibefof,uaval Captures since hostiliticill
e‘inunenced i5).,379;;0f, Which" 267 iresteiu.
era. The ,gross .prbeeeds• arising from the'
sale of tiondetuned prigs propettrthTtrepor.
ted amount to $14,396,.15a.51. ',A lane
mount of such: proceeds is still under adj udi
cation, and yet •to be reported.. The total
expenditures of the Navy Vepartwent of ev
ery description, including the cost, of the im
mense squadrouS that have been called into
existence from the 4th of March, 1361, to the
Ist of Noveinber, 1854 arc $238,647,262 35.
Your favorable consideration is invited to the
various recommendations of the Secretary of
the Navy, especially in regard to a navy yard
and?suitable establishment for the construc
tion and repair of iron vessels and the ma
chinery and armature for our ships, to which
rderence was made in my last annual Mes
sage.
Your attention is also direr gd to the•views
expressed in the report, in — felation to the
legislation of Congress, at its last session, in
respect to prizes in our inland waters. I cor
dially concur in the recommendation of the
Secretary, as to, the propriety of creating the
new rank of Vice Admiral in our naval ser
vice. e
concur with h
onion of mono
Your attention is invited to the report of
the Postmaster General for a detailed account
of the operations and financial condition of
' - the - Post Office Departarent'The postal rev
enne for the year ending June 30, 1864 a
mounted to $12,438,253 78, and the exnen
ditures to $12,644,786.20; the exec . o ' ex
pendit es over receipts being s2' 6,652 42.
T views presented_ by'lhn,_Postmaster_
G era' on the subject of special grants by ,
e Government in aid of the establishment
of new lines of ocean mail steamships and the
policy he recommends for the development
of increased commercial intercourse 'with ad I ,
jacent and neighboring countries should re
calve the careful consideration of Congress.
It is of noteworthy interest that the steady
expansions of population, improvement, and '
governmental institutions over the new and
unoccupied portions of our territory have
scarcely been checked, much less impeded or
destroyed by. our great civil war, which. at
the first glance, would seem to have absorb
ed almost the entire energies of the nation.
The oi•ganizition and admission of the State
_ot. Nevada has been completed.inconformity
with law, and thus an excel.ent system is
firmly established in the mountains which
once seemed u barren and uninhabitable waste
between the Atlantic states and those which
have grown up on the Pacific ocean
The territories of the Union are generally
in a condition of prosperity and rapid growth.
Idaho and .Nlontauti, by reason of their great
distance and the interruption of communica
tions with them by Indian hostilities, have
beeu only partially•organized, but it is under
stood that these difficulties are about to dis
appear. which will permit their governments,
like those of the others, to go into speedy
and full operation. As intimately connected
with and promotive of this material growth
of the mitten, I ask the attention of Congress
to the valuable 'infarmation and important
recommendations relating to the public lands,
Indian affairs, the Pacific Railroad, and min
cral discoveries contained in the report of
the Secretary of the interior, which is hero
with traAsmitted, and which report also, ern_
brans Ile subject ot patents, pensions um.
other to 'es ot public interest pertaining • to
hid Department.
The quantity of public lands disposed of
during the five quarters ending on the 30th
of September last, was 4,221,342 acres, of
which 1,538,614 acres were entered under
the Iloniestead Law. The remainder was
located with military land warrants, agrieul
tural script certified to States for railroads
and sold for cash. The cash received from
sales and location was $1.019,41'►.
The increase from sales daring ,the fiscal
year ending June 30; 1864, was $678,007,21 ;
ugaint $436,017,05 received during the pre
ceding year • The aggregate' number' el acres
surveyed during the year hits been equal to
the quantity disposed of, and there is open
to settlement about 133,000,000 acres of sur
veycd land. "
The great 'enterprise of connecting the
Atlantic with the Pacific States by railways
and telegraph lines has been entered upon
with a vigor that gives assurance of success
notwithstanding the embarrassment arising
from the prevailing high prices of materials
and labor. The rout of the main line of the
read has been definitely located for one hun
Bred miles westward from the initial point at
Omaha City, Newbraska, a location of the I'a
cite Railroad of Ualiforeia has been made from
Sacramento eastward to the Great Bend of the
Tri i ickee River _in Nevada. Numerous dis
eoveries of • gold, silver and cinnabar mines
have been added to the many heretofore
knoWn and .the. country "occupied• by the
Sierra Nevada_ and Rocky Mountains, and,
the 'subordinate ranges now teem with en
terprising,labor which is tidily reniunera
tive. It is believed that.. the product of
the miaes.of precious metals, in that region
has,-during.the year, reached if not exceed
ed one hundred millions in value.
It was recommended in my last annual'
message that our Indian system be remedied.
llungress at its - last session, acting 'upon the
recommendation, did provide for re.erganiz
int , the system in ; California , and it is bcliev
ed that under'the present organization, the
Indians• were will be attended to with rea
scuable success. 3%01 yet remains to "be
done, to -provide for •the government of the
Indians in other parts of the csountry, to ran
der it secure for the advancing 'settlers; and
to provide for the Indians, • Thw Secretary
reiterates, his recommendations; and to them
the attention ot. Congress is, invited.
The liberal provisions made by CongreS
foe*: paying peitsidis 'to' •invaiid
and Sailors el tbellopubiic, Mid to tho wid
ows, orphans enddependent mothers ot those
who liave fallen in battle or'idied of disease
contracted', or'et Wounds' re eved in the set
v 'of theft country have be to diligently'ad
ministered:. • ' • •
There•We been added to
(Lott* Yelieeedillg the
443 t, the 16,770 hair
_ _ •
'or 2,71 "disahle,ll 'beanie - 6, ---------- the present
n'uniber of arrify l'OnsionetS, 22,110:,
and of oax,y_invalid_perstoonerA, VII. - - Of 41
dews ; orphans and AnOtheisi 22,90 R• have,
been plseed,onthe„arely-perrsion—Trolland
-248 on the navy sells.. ,
Th'e Present' nurriber Of army Petisioners_of
this class is 25,4:3 :end of 'navy pensioners
793. At the beginning of the - year the unlit
ber of Revolutionary pensioners -was 1,430;
only twelve of thorn Were soldiers, of whom
seven have sine 'died. The reinain3er are
those who under the laws, rebeiVe - pensions
because of relationship to Itevoluti,ry so!.
diers.
'During the year ending 30th ofJtine.lBo4,
$4,504,610 9 have 'ken' paid to pensioners
of an classes.
I cheerfully commend. to your continued
patronage the benevolent institutions of - tha
District of Columbia, which have hitherto
been• established or fostered by Congress, and
t er
respectfully?' , for information concerning
them and i re ation to the .Washingtim ague
duct, the Japital, and other matters 'of Meal
interest, to the report of the Secretary—
The Agricultural Department, under, the
supervision of itivprekiit energetic and - firth
ful bead, is rapidly commending Itself to the
great and vital interest it waircreateci to ad
vance. It is peculiarly the People's Depart
!pent, in which they feel more directly eon_
- cerned - tharrierifey - dther. 1 commend it to
the continued attention and fostering care of
Congress.
The war continues. Since the last Anna
al Message, all the important lines and pill
tions then aecupied by otir forces, have been
maintained and our armshave,been steadily
advanced, thus liberating the regions lett in
the rear; so that Missouri, Kentucky, Ten
nessee sod parts of other States have again
produced reasonably fair crops.
The most remarkable feature in the mili
tary operations of the year is GenerarSher
umn's attempted march of three hundred
miles directly through the insurgent region.
It tends to . show a .great increase of our rela
tive strength that out General-in-Chief should
fmd able to confront and hold in check every
active force of the enemy and yet detach a
well appointed large army to move on such
an expedition. The result not yet being
known, conjecture in regard to it is not here'
indulged. ,
Important movements have also occurred
during the year to the effect of moulding so
ciety ter the durability of the Union. Al
though short of complete success it is, mach
in the right direetiou that twelve thousand
citizens in each of the, States of Arkansas
and Louisiana have organized local State
Governments with free constitutions, and are
earnestly struggling to maintain and adwia
ister them.
The movement in the some direction, more
extensive, though less definite, in Missouri,
' Kentucky and Tennessee, should not be ()ter
, looked ; but Maryland presents the example
of complete success Maryland is secure to
)'liberty and Union for all the littera. The
genius of rebellion will no more claim Mary
land. Like another final spirit being driven
out, it may seek to tear her, but it will woo
her no wore
At the last session a Congress a propa
sed amendment to the constitution, abolish
ing Slavery througaout the United States,
passed the Senate, but tidied fur want of the
tequisito two.thirtis vote in the House of
Representatiies. Althaugh the present is
the same Congress and nearly the same mem
bers, and without questioning the wisdotn or
patriotism of those who stood in opposition,
I venture to recommend the reconsideration
and passage of the measure at the present
session. Of course the abstract question is
not changed, but an intervening election
shows almost certainly that the next Con-,
.press will pass the measure if this does net.
Hence there is only a question of time as to
when the proposed amendment will go to the.
States fbr their action, and as it is to go ut
all events, , may we not agree that the sooner
the better.
It is not clainied that the election hart im
posed a duty on, members to change their
views or their votes any' further than as an
additional element to be considered, their
judgment may be effeded by it. It is the
voice of, the people, now for the first time
heard upon the quest;on ;in a great nation
al crisis like ours unanimity of action:among
those seeking a common end, is very de•iiria-
Ll:e, almost indispensible; and yet no appear
ance to such unanimity is attainable unless
sonic deference shall be -paid to the will 'of
the majority, simply because it is the will of
the in a:erity.
I .____lttzthis_case_the_eommon_cnd_is_theinain t _
tenance of the 'Union. and sniong the means
to secure that ,end, such will, through the
election, is most clearly declared in favor of
such a constitutional amendment. The most
reliable indication Of Tublic`purpose in this"
country is derived through ou,typopular oleo.
tions. Judging
. 1/ the
,recent cauvass•and
its results, the_purpose of the people .within
the loyal States to maintain tho
. intr gray of
the Union was never more firm nor more
nearly unanimous than now. •The -extriter
dinary calmness and go!atorder with' which
the millions of voters mingled at the polls
gave strong assurance of this.
Not only all those' who supported the tin
ion ticket; so.ealled. blit -a great inajetity:of
the apposing party also tu.ty be fairly eluitiv:' I
ed to entertain and to be aetualed by . the
same purpose. : It is an unanswerable argu.
moat Co
.this effect, that no e.audidate for ail ,
office, however high or low, has ventured.to.
seek votes on the avowal that he was,for giv.
ing up the Union. ' -
,There has been impugning of mo
tives, t d Wuall heated.controverayas
proper moans and best ..mode , otAdynnelog
th6 . Union'eattin;' Viit'.,en tin? dlitinet jsehe
Uniehor)no 'Mien.' the' Piiiiiicietkhaiti
sheWo, their nati titivatidgethafthiiii'
is he direr among) 4e i pfjogieo,: - ;.4;affml4.'
ing to the 'people the !air opportunity of
•
r o pinswa rani,
Oth day of .7,gues
id soldiers awl
R f
showing, one
,te,.anott or, an o
this firmness and unanimity ui purpose, the
election basl3ei . vast valrie te.she Indica.
•al ' " . ' "7,
The--elections lin - eitlibitei
hot less valaable"to be knoWn—the fact that
we do . not
important branch "(it iiiitiota r'esnUredEtz-•
that allying men. • While• it iA.nielancholly
to' reflect that the w.ir..haEr filled' so many
graves and carried mourning , so many
hearths, it is some relief to know that com
pared to the suiviiring. the fallen have been,
so few. While:corps and divisions and bri.
gades and regiments have formed and fought
and dwindled, and gone out of existence, a
great majoritY of the men who composei
them are still living. The same , is true of
the naval service. Th e electina rettirns
prove this. SO many voters could. not ; else,
be found. , • .
The States regularly holding election!,
both now and four years ago, to wit: Cali.
fornia, Chnnectimil, Dela Ware, Illinois, Indi
ana. lowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota; Mis
souri, New. Hampshire, New Jersey. New
re - rit; OhibT Oregon, 'Pennsylvanit, Rhotit..
Island,
.Irerniont, West:Virginia, Wiseoneib i ---
cast 3,982,011 votes now, against 3,870.224
cast then, showing an aggregate now of 3 -
_982,011. —To this is to be added- 33,764
'east now in
. thii,:new State that .clideot vela.
in 1860, thuii swelling t:hn aggregate' to' 4,-
015, 773 and the neat increase, 'during the
three years and a half oh war, to '145,551.
A table is appended showing.. particulars.
To this again should be added the number
of soldiers in the field from Massachusetts,.
Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Indi
ana, Illinois, and California, who by 'the
laws of these • States, could not vote' away
from theirhomes, and which imbiber cannot
be Jess than , 90,000. Nor yet,,,is this all.—
The number in the organized territories is
a trifle now to what it was four years ago,
while thousands, white and black, join us as,
the national arms press back the insurgent
So much is shown affirmatively anti nega
tively 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 nsportant het remains demonstrated
that we have more men now: than we had
when the war began, that we aro not ex
hausted nor in the
, Rocess of exhaustion,
that we are gaining i strength, and 'May, it
need be, maintain'. the contest indefinitely.
This, as to num, material resources are now
more complete and abundant than ever.--
The natural resources then arc unexhausted,
and, as we believe inexhaustible.
The public purpose to establish and main
tain the national authority is unchanged,
and, as we believe, unchangeable. The man
ner of continuing the effort remains to choose, -.
On careful consideration of all the evidence
accessible, it seem= to sue that no attempt at,
negotiation with the insurgent leader' could
result in auy good.
Ile would'aceept nothing short of me-
ranee o tto I UWU ; -precise y w at we w i
not anti cannot give. his decimations -to
this effect aro explicit and oft repeated. •.Ie
does not attempt to deceive us. Ile affords
us no excuse to deceive ourseiveg. He cam.
not voluntarily re-accept the •Union.,; We
cannot voluntarily yield it:
Bettieen him and us the issue is distinct•
single and inflexible. It is an issue which
can only be tried by war and decided by vie-,
tory. If we yield we are beaten. If, the
Southern people fail him he is beaten.
ther way it woule be the victory and Wedt
following war. What is true, however, of
him who heads the insurgent canoe, is not
necessarily-true of these who follow. Al,
though -he cannot re-accept the Union, they
can.
some of them, we know, already desire
peace and reunion. The number 'ot such,
may increase. , They can at any moment
have peace, siniply laying down their
arms- and submitting' to the national nuthori,
ty 'under the •Constitiiiion. Aft& so much •
the Government could nat, if it would,
maintain was against 'them. The loyal pee. -.
pie would not sustain or allow it. If ques
tions‘ should remain we would adjust them,
by the peaceful in:lan's of legislation Confer;
•
enccs, courts; and vot e s operating only in
Constitutional and lawful channels. 'Some
certain and other pioisible questions are'erid
would:be beyond the Executive power itt'ad: -
just, as, for instance, the taltuissioniof mem
bers into congress and whatever might re,
quire the appropriation of money. •
The Ekeeunve power itself would be great'
ly diminish - a - U. by the - cessation--of- actual _
war. Pardons Gad remissions of forfeitures,
however, would still be within the gxepli ,
rive control. la What. spirit and temper
this control Would 'be exercised, can be fair
ly judged- of by, the past. -A year ago a.
general, pardon,- and amnesty, upon specified
terrusovere offered to all except certain des
ignated claiateS, and it was at the Same ,ti:me.
made: known that the - eicepted elasSes were
still within conteinplation'of special eleinen*
cy. During the year many availed them,,
selves of the general . , provision, and many
more .would, that the iiigtis of bad faith
in some led. to suck.,-precautionary Pleasured
as tendered the practical process ; less
_easy,
and certain. During the slime time also
special: pardons 'have -. been', grantelli'tbenidi
viduats of the excepted, classes apd..o, , volun
tary - apPliCatiori - has been 4enieci;'' Thus,
pritotically,' the' door-Cis been fora fail year
open to all; eidnitit inaehviii Weren't:it in`coit . '
dition to make - Free - ciidiee--;that. is - Sucti'ati
were in custody oriunder constraint; It-is
atilPini open Ittitli:c 4 Attfl the tin* tirttYtimite
ythearpubliel clui - slietifAienslatt that' ittbe
Ocl° l /40 #'4,*'.)11' 1 1 14 ....*P11 0 4 , ,A0, 0 10 11 )
uses., lierfl4 ( #9 4,.
le'Pfteeniing Alkii*aidonteht:'ef- `4iat
resistance to•the_ &timid isithoriit !"."
part of the insurgents as the only -tadispea=
, •
Jr , (..ii.!.Ti;'•
MIME
il ••. , 11 , !,::';'.. <A g',4')
PROM
~f° t
ech o x-it3r,,7x-6,414.-
9 NumBE1:11.