Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-12-12

ever, in the purchase of Louisiana, yielded
his scruples on The plea of great expedien-
cy.
II it be said that the only legitimate OBJ
iect of acquiring territory is to furnish
homes for emigration of colored men leaves
additional room for white men remaining or
coming here. MIR. Jefferson, however placed
the Importance of procuring Louisiana more
on political and CONN ercial grounds, than
on providing room for population.
. On this whole proposition, including the
appropriation Of moneys with the acquisition
of territory, does not the expedlency amount
to absolute necessity. without which the
Government itself cannot be perpetuated if
the war continues.
In considering the policy to be adopted for
suppressing the insurrection, have been
anxious and careful that the inevitable con-
tiict for this purpose shall not degenerate
| into violent and remorseless revolutionary
| struggle. | have therefore, in every case,
thought 1t proper to keep the integrity of
the Union prominent. as the primary object
of tn. contest on our part, leaving all ques-
tions which are not of vital military Dnport>
ance, to the more deliberate action Of the
legislature.
In the exercise of my best discretion |
have adhered to the blockade of the ports
held by the insurgents, instead of putting in
| force by proclamation the law of Congress
enacted at the late session for closing these
ports. So also, obeying the dictates of pru
dence as well as the obligations of the law,
instead of transcendng l have adhered 10
the act of Congress to confscate property
used for insurrectionarv pun poses. Ifa new
law upon the same subject shall be propos~
eG, 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 extremes, which may reach the
loyal as well as the disloyal, are indispensa-
BILE.
The Inaugural address at the begicning
of the Administration, and the message to
| Congress at the late SPECIAL session, were
both mainly devoted to the domestic con-
| troverSy out of which the insurrection and
consequent war have sprung.
| Nothing more occurs to add or subtract to
or from the principles or general purposes
stated and expressed in that document
Fhe last ray of hope for preserving the Un-
ion peaceably, expired at the assault upon
Fort Sumpter and general review If what
VI hat 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 confidently
Claimed strong support from North of Ma
son Il Dixons line, and the friends OF the
Union were not free from apprehension on
that point. Ihls however was soon settled
definitely and on the right side.
South of the line, noble little Delaware
led off right from the first. Maryland was
made to seem against the Union. Our SOL
diers were assaulted, bridges were burned,
and railroads torn up within her limits, and
we were many days, at one time, without
the ability 10 bring single regiment over
her soil to he Capital
Now her bridges and railroad are repaired
and open 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 question,
Kentucky too, for some time in doubt,
| is now decidedly, and, think, unchangeably,
ranged on the side of the Union Missouri
| is comparatively quiet, and | believe cannot
| d&dlu Oc DJ tlC
These three States of Maryland, Kentucky
and Missouri, neither Of which would promise
| a single soldier at first, have now an aggre-
gate of not less than forty thousand in the
| field, for the Union while of their citizens,
certainly, not more than third of that
number, and they of doubtful whereabouts
and doubtful existence, are in arms against
it. After somewhat bloody struggle of
months, winter closes on the Union people
of Western Virginia, leaving them masters
of their own country.
An insurgent force or about fifteen hum
dred for months dominating the narrow Pc
ninsuiar region of the counties of Accomac
and Northampton, and known as the EAST
ern 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
protection of the old flag. This. leaves no
armed in direction north of the Potomac or
east of the Chesapeake.
Also, we have obtained footing at each
of the isolated points on the southern coast
of Hatteras, Port Royal. Tybee island near
Savanpa h, and Ship Island and we likes
wise have some general accounts of popular
movements in behalf of the Union, in North
| OdrOllud anu ltHuSSStOs icSC UOUA-
onstrate that the cause of the Union IS ads
vancing steadily southwark.
/ 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 from a
time far back in our history, when few Of
the now living had been born, and thence
| forward continually, cannot but think We
are still his debtors | submit. therefor. for
i your consideration, whet further mark of
recognition is due to him and to ourselves
as grateful people.
With the retirement of General Scott,
came the executive duty of appointing in his
stead General-n- Chief of the army. 1t is
a fortunate circumstance that neither in
council! or country so far as | know, any
differences of opinion as to the proper person
to be selected. The retiring Chief repeat
edly expressed his judgment in favor of
General Mcclellan for the position, and in
this the nation decreed to give unanimous
concurrence.
The designation of Gen. Mcclellan is there
fore, in considerable degree, the selection
of the country as well as of the Executive
and hence there is better reason to hope
that there will be given him the confidence
and cordial support thus, by fair implication
promised and without which he cannot with
! CO fill afic,arou sarve the conDtrv II has