The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1861-12-14
WHOLE No. 218.

ever, in the purchase of Louisiana. yielded
his scruples on the plea. of the great expe-
diency. If it be said that the legitimate
object of acquisition of Territory is 10 fur
nish homes for the white man, these meas
ures effect that object for the emigration of
the 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. Including the appro-
priation of money with the acquisition of
Territory, does not the expediency amount
to absolute necessity without which Govern
ment cannot be perpetual. In considering
the policy to be adopted for the suppression
of the instruction, have been anxious and
careful that the inevitable conflict for this
purpose shall not degenerate into violent
and remorseless revolutionary struggle.
l have therefore thought proper to
keep the integrity of the Union promi-
nent, as the primary object of the contest
on our part, leaving all questions which are
not of vital Importance to the more delib-
crate action of the Legislature. In the ex-
ercse of my best discretion have adhered
to a blockade of the ports held by the in
surgents instead of putting in force proc
lamation, the law Of Congress enacted at
the late session for closing the ports, also
cbeying the dictates of prudence as well as
the obligations of law, instead of transcend
ing I have adhered to the Act of Congress
to confscate property used for Instruction
airy purposes. If new law upon the same
subject shall be proposed its propriety will
DO duly considered.
| The Union must be preserved. and hence
all defensible means be employed. We
should not be in haste to determine what
radical and extreme measures, which may
reach the loyal as we'll as the disloyal, are
indispensable. The inaugural Address at
the beginning of the Administration, and
the message to Congress at the late special
session, were both mainly devoted to the
domestic controversy, at one of which the
instruction and consequent war have
sprung. Nothing now occurs to add or
subtract from the principles or general pur
poses stated and expressed in those docu-
ments. The last ray of hope for preserv-
ing the Union peaceably expired at the as
sault on Fort Sumter. and general review
of what has occurred since may not be un
profitable.
What was painfully uncertain then is
much better defined and more distinct now,
and the progress of events is plainly in the
right direction. The insurgents confident
~ claimed strong support from north of
Mason & Dixon's line, and the friends of
the Union were not free from apprehension
on this point. This, however, was soon
settled definitely on the right side. South
of the line, noble little Delaware went off
right from the first Maryland made to
seem against the Union, our soldiers were
| Cd h.sJ II
torn mp within her limits, and we were many
days at one time without the ability to bring
a single regiment over her soil to the Capt.
tai. Now her bridges and her railroads are
repaired and opened TO the Government.
She already gives seven regiments to the
cause of the Union and none to the enemy,
and her people at regular election have
sustained the Union by large majority
and larger aggregate vote than they ever
before gave to any candidate on any ques-
ton.
Kentucky, too, for some time in doubt, is
now decidedly and unchangebly ranged on
the side of the Union. Missouri is COM
parativeDy quiet, and believe cannot again
be over run by insurgents. These three
States-Marylan Kentucky and Missouri
neither of which would promise a single
soldier at first, have now an aggregate Of
not less than 40, 900 in the field for the Union,
while of their citizens not more than third
in number are among the insurgents, and
they of doubtful whereabouts. After some.
what gloomy struggle, the months Of winter
close upon the Union people of Western
Virginia, leaving them masters of their Own
country. An insurgent force of about
1900, for months dominating the narrow
peninsular region constituting the counties
of Accomac and Northampton and known
as the Eastern shore" of Virginia. together
with some contiguous parts of Maryland,
have laid down their arms, and the people
there have renewed their allegiance to aud
accepted the protection of the flag.
4 This leaves no armed insurrectionists north
of the Potomac. east of the Chesapeake.
Also we have obtained footing at each of
the isolated points on the southern coast OF
Hatteras, Port Royal and Tybee Island aud
we likewise have some general accounts of
popular movements on behalf of the Union
men in North Carolina and Tennessee.
/ These things demonstrate that the cause Of
the Union is advancing steadily southwark.
Since your last adjournment Lieut.
General Winfield Scott has retired from the
head OF the army. During bis 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 time far back in our history when
few of the, now living. had been born, and
thence forward continued. / cannot but
| think we are sill his debtor. / submit
therefore for your consideration what fur.
Their mark of recognition is due to him and
ourselves as a greatful people. With the
| retirement of Gen. Scott il became the Exc