Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-12-04

. TO them.
1t might be well to consider, too, whether
the free colored people already 10 the Y niteo
States could not, so far as individuals may
desire, be included in such colonization. 10
carry out the plan of colonization may in-
yolve the acquiring of territory, and also the
appropriation of money beyond that to be
expended in the territorial acquisition.
Having practised the acquisition OF territory
for nearly fifty years, the question OF copsti-
| tutional power to do SO is no longer an open
one with us. The power was first ques-
toned by Mr.. Jefferson. who, however, 10
the purchase of Louisiana, yielded his scru-
pies, on the plea of great expediency: Ii it
be said that the onl7 legitimate object OF
acquiring territory is to furnish homes for
| white men this measure effects that object,
for the emigration of colored men leaves
additional room for white men remaining or
coming in.
Mr.. Jefferson, however, placed the impor-
lance of procuring Louisiana more on po-
ltical and commercial grounds than on
providing room for population. On this
whole proposition, including the approprla-
ton of money with the acquisition OF terri-
tory, does not the expedlency amount TO
absolute necessity, that without which the
Government cannot be perpetual In con-
sidering the policy to be adopted Tor sup
pressing the insnrrection, have been anx-
ious and careful that the inevitable conflict
for this purpose shall not degenerate into
violent and remorseless revolutionary strug-
gle. | have, therefore, in every case thought
It proper to keep the integrity OF the Union
prominent as the primary object OF the
contest on our part, leaving all questions,
which are not of vital military Importance,
to the more deliberate action OF the Legs-
lature.
In the exercise of my best discretion, |
have adhered to blockade of the ports
held by the insurgents, instead OF putting
in force by proclamation the law of Con-
gresss enacted DIT the late session, for clos
ing the ports. Also, obeying the dlstates
of prudence as well as the obligations
of law. instead of transcending, | have
adhered to the act of Congress to conhscate
property used for insurrectlonary pur-
poses. If new law upon the same SUBJECT
shall be proposed, its propriety will be ou'y
considered. The Union must be preserved,
and henceall defensible means must be en-
ployed.
We should not be in haste to determine
what radical and extreme measures, which
NAV reach the loyal as well as the disloyal,
are indispensable.
The inaugural address at the beginning
of the Administration and the Message 10
Congress at the late Special Session. were
both mainly devoted to the domestic con.
troversy ont of which the insurrection and
consequent war have sprung. Nothing
now occurs to add to or substract from the
principles or general purposes stated and
expressed in those documents.
The last ray OF hope for preserving the
Union peaceabIy, expired at the assault up
on Fort Sunter, and the general review o
what has occurred since may not be unprof
liable. What was painfully uncertain thet
is much better defined, and more distinct
now, and the progress of events is plainly II
/, | the right direction The insurgents conf
IDENTIFY claimed strong support from nortt
| of Mason and Dixons line, and the friends
| of the Union were not free from apprehen
sion on this point. This, however. was sool
t'lad definitely y and on the right side sout
right from the first. Maryland wa
, made to seem against the Union; our sol
diers were assaulted, bridges were burne
and railroads torn up within her limits; an
we were many days at one time without tn
ability to bring single regiment over he
, soil to the Capital. Now her bridges ant
railroads are repaired and opened to tn
government; she already gives seven regi
|, merits to the cause of the Union and none
, to the enemy; and her people, at a regula
election, have sustained the Union by
large majority and larger aggregate vot
than they ever before gave to any candidat
or any question.
II Kentucky, too, for some time in doubt
is now decidedly and unchangedly ranges
on the side os the Union. Missouri
comparatively quiet, and l believe canno
again be overrun by the insurgents Thes
three States of Maryland, Kentucky ant
| Missouri, neither of which would promis
| a. single soldier at first, have now an aggre
gate of not less than 10000 in the field 70
the Union, while of their citizens not NOR
than third in number are among the in
surgents, and they Of doubtful whereabout
and existence.
After somewhat bloody struggle o
months, winter closes on the Union peopl
of Western Virginia, leaving them master
of their own country. An insurgent fore
about 1,50O, for months dominating tn
narrow peninsular region constituting tn
counties of Accomac and Northampton
and known as the Eastern Shore of Vii
ginia, together with some contiguous part
of Maryland, have laid down their arms
and the people there have renewed thei
allegiance to and accepted the protection
of the flag. This leaves no armed insuI
rection north of the Potomac or east G
the Chesapeake.
Also, we have obtained a footing at eac
of the isolated points on the southern eoas
of Hatteras, Port Royal, Tybee 1slaaC
(near Savannah and Ship Island, and W
likewise have some general accounts c
popular movements in behalf of the Unio
| in North Carolina and Tennessee. Thes
things demonstrate that the cause of tn
Union is advancing steadily southwark
| Since your last adjournment Lieutenan
General Scott has retired from the head 6
the army. During his long life the natio
has not been unmindful of his merit, ye
on calling to mind how faithfully ably an
brilliantly he has served the country from
time far back in our history, when few o
the now living had been born and thence
forward continually, [ cannot but thinl
that we are still his debtor. | submit
therefore, for yonr consideration, what fur
ther mark of recognition IS due to him ant
ourselves as grateful people.
| With the retirement of Gen. Scott cam,
the executive duty of appointing in hi
stead General-in-Chief of the army |
is fortunate circumstance that neither il
council or country was there, SO far as