Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-12-12

occasionally committed by subordinates, aud
while extravagent prices have undoubtedly
in some cases, controlled by haste and the pres
sures OF rapid events, been paid for supplies,
it is with great Pgrati6cation that / refer to
the economical administration of affairs dis.
played in the various branches Of the service
Our forces had not only to he armed, clothed,
and fed, but had to be suddenly provided with
! means of transportation to the extent hereto.
fore unparalleled. While believe that there
is no army in the world better provided for in
every respect than our Regulars and Voluu.
teers, candidly think that no forces so large.
and so well equipped, was ever pat in the
field in short space OF time at so small ex-
pense.
While it is my intention to preserve the
strictest economy and accountability, I think
I the last dollar should be expended and the
last man should be armed to bring this unholy
rebellion to speedy and permanent close
The geographical position of the metropo-
lis of the nation, menaced by the Rebels and
required to be defended by thousands of our
troops, induces me to suggest for consideration
the propriety and expediency of reconstruc.
ton of the boundaries of the States of Della
ware, Maryland aud Virginia Wisdom and
true statemenship would dictate that the seat
Of the National Government for all times to
come should be placed beyond reasonable dan.
ger Of seizure by enemies within, as we'll as
from capture by foes from without. By agree
ment between the States named, such as was
effected for similar purposes by Michigan and
| Ohio, and by Missouri and Iowa, their boun-
daries could be SO changed as to render the
Capital more remote than at present from the
influence Of State Government which arrayed
themselves in rebellion against the Federal au-
thority. To this eud, the limits of Virginia
might be so altered as to make her boundaries
consist Of the Blue Ridge on the east aud
Pennsylvania on the North, leaving those on
the south and west as at present. By this ar
angement two counties of Maryland (Allagha.
Ry aud Washington would be transferred to
the jurisdiction of Virginia. All the portion
of Virginia which lies between the Blue Ridge
and Chesapeake Bay could then be added to
Maryland, while that portion of the peninsula
between the waters of the CheSapeak and At.
lantic, now jointly held by Maryland and Vr-
ginia, could be Incorporated into the State of
Delaware. reference to the map will show
that these are great natural boundaries, which
for all time to come would serve to mark the
limits Of these States
To make the protection of the capital COM
plete, in consideration of the large accession
Of territory which Maryland would receive un.
der the arrangement proposed, it would be
necessary that that State should consent so to
modify her constitution as to limit the basis of
her representation to her white population.
In the connection, it would be the part of
wisdom to reannex to the, District of Columbia
that portion of Its original limits which by act
Of Congress was retroceded to the State Of
Virginia.
1t has become grave question for deter.
mination, what shall be done with the slaves
abandoned by their owners on the advance of
our troops into Southern territory, as in Beau.
tort disteict of South Carolina. The whole
white population therein is 6,0G0, while the
number Of negooes exceeds 80, coo. The pan
ic which drove their masters in wild confusion
from their homes, leaves them 10 undisputeG
possession of the soil. Shall they, armed by
their masters, be placed iu the ieId to fight
against u.s. shall their labor be continually en-
ployed in producing the means for supporting
the armies of rebellion
The war into which this Government has
been forced by rebellious traitors is carried on
for the purpose of repoSsesSing TIE property
violently and treacheroHsly seized upoo by the
enemies of the Government, and to re-estab-
lish the authority and laws of the United
States in the places where it is opposed or over.
thrown by armed insarrection end rebellion
Its purpose is to recover aud defend what is
justly its own.
War, even between independent nations, Is
made to subdue the enemy, aud all that be-
longs to that enemy, by occupying the hostile
country, and exercising domlnion over all the
men and things within its territory. This be-
lag true in respect to independent nations at
war with each other, it follows that rebels
who are laboring by force of arms to overthrow
a Government justly bring upon themselves
all lhe consequences of war, and provoke the
destruction merted by the worst of crimes
That Government would be false to national
trust, and would Justly excite the rldicule of
the civilized world, that would abstain from
the use of an efficient means to preserve its
own existence, or to overcome q rebellious and
enemy, by sparing or protecting the
property OF those who are waging war against
it,
The principal wealth and power of the Reb-
ell States is peculiar species of property, con-
sisting of the service or labor of African slaves
or the descendants of Africans This property
has been variously estimated at the value of
from 500, 900, to 81, 600, 600, 900.
Why should this property be exempt from
the hazards aDd consequences of q rebellious
war
1t was the boast of the leader Of the rebel
lion, while be yet had seat in the Senate of
the United States, that the Southern States
would be comparatively safe and free from the
burdens of war, if it should be brought on by
the contemplated rebellion, aud that boast
was accompanied by the savage threats that
- Northern towns and cities would become
the victims of rapine and military soil.n and