The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-12-09
The several arms of the service are es-
timated as follows:

Engineers. ........... I07 l07
Totals. ......... sao,637 oo,sas 6eos7l
After stating the wretched condition In
which our land aud naval forces was left
by the last Administration, the Report
gives history of the process Of raising,
equipping and bringing into the field this
immense army.
1t recommends the establishment of a
National Foundry for the manufacture of
Artillery.
The increase of the capacity of West
Point as Military School
The reorganization of the Militia of the
country on uniform basis by act of Con
gross.
The repair of old defences and the con-
istruction of new ones on the Oceans and
Lakes, as well as on our Northern and
Western frontiers.
That the system of promotion prevail
ing the in regular service shall be extended
to volunteers; and that volunteer officers
shall take rank on an equal footing with
Regulars.
Considerable space is devoted to sani-
tary matters, and to railroads in connec-
ton with the operations of the army
In order to render the Capital more se-
cure, and for other objects, it recon-
mends measures looking to change in
the boundaries Of Maryland, Virginia,
Delaware and Pennsylvania.
The Slavery question is left as the most
important to the last, and we give what is
said on that subject in full
1t has hecomea grave question for de-
termination. what shall be done with the
slaves abandoned BY their owners on the
advance Of our troops into Southern ter
riiory, as in the Beaufort District ofSouth
Carolina. The whole white population
therein is 5000, while the number of ne
groes exceeds $4,000. The panic which
drove their masters in wild confusion from
their homes, leaves them in undisputed
possession of the soil .MaHthey, armed
Ly their masters, b. piaced IN ME feld 10
right against as, Or shall their tabor he
continually employed ia reproducing the
mfa"S for supporting The armies Of re-
JeHion?
The war into which this Government
has been forced by rcbellious traitors, is
carried on for he purpose Of repossessing
the property violently and treacherously
seized upon by the enemies Of the Gov
eminent, and to re-establish the authority
and laws of the United States in the places
where it is opposed or overthrow by
armed insurrection and rebellion. Its
purpose is to recover and defend what is
justly its own.
War, even between independent ma
tons, il made to subdue the enemy, aud
all that belongs to that enemy, by occupy
ing the hostile country, and exercising do
minlon over all the men and things with.
in irs territory. This being true in re-
spect TO independent nations at war with
each other, it follows that rebels who are
laborng BY force Of arms to overthrow
government, Justly bring upon themselves
sll the consequences Of war. and provoke
the destruction merited by the worst Of
crimes. That government would be false
10 national trust, and icoMtd Justly er-
r'te Me ridieuie Of the cirlizcd ,corlel,
that ponld abstain from the use Of any
efficient means to preserve its otra ezisf-
ence, or to orerc0ne u reLehiious and
frditoroas enemy, Ly sporing or protect
ing Me property Of those ,cho are raging
rdr against II.
OF THE SLAVES OF REBELS.
The principal wealth and power Of the
rebel States is peculiar species of proper
ty, consisting Of the service or labor OF
African slaves, or the descendants of Al. |
ricans. This property has been variously
estimated at the value of from 800, 0OO,- |
600 to vi 900, 100000.
Why should this property b. erempt
from ne hazards and consequences Of a
.x4T