Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-12-11

to them large immigration when peace shall
restore the business OF the country to its
accustomed channels. l submit the reselu-
tions of the Legislature of Colorado, which
evidence the patriotic spirit of the people OF
the territory.
So far the authority of the United States
has been upheld in all the Territories, as it is
| hoped it will be in the future. l commend
| their interests and defence to the enlightened
and generous care of Congress.
| l recommend to the favorable consideration
| OF Congress the interests of the District of
! Columbia. The insurrection has been the
/ cause of much suffering and sacrifice to its
| inhabitants, and as they have no Representa-
tive in Congress, that body should not overlook
their just claims upon the Government.
AT your late session, joint resolution was
adopted, authorizing the President to take
measures for facilitating proper representa-
| ton OF the industrial interests of the United
States at the Exhibition of the Industry of all
| Nations, to be holden at London in the year
! 1862.
regret to say, have been unable to give
| personal attention to this suhject-a subject
at once so interesting in itself, and so exten-
sively and intimately connected with the ma
| terial prosperity of the world. Through the
Secretaries of State and of the Interior, a
plan or system has been devised and partly
matured, and which will be laid before you.
Under and by virtue of the Act of Congress,
1 for Insurrectionary Purposes approved
August 9th, 1861, the legal claims of certain
| persons to the labor and service of certain
| other persons have become forfeited, and
numbers of the latter thus liberated, ARE already
dependent on the United States, and must be
provided for in some way. Besides this, it is
| not impossible that some of the States will
pass similar enactments for their own benefit
| respectively, and by operation of which per-
| sons of the same class will be thrown upon
| them for disposal.
| In such case / recommend that Congress
provide for accepting such persons from such
States according to some mode of valuation
In lieu pro 6anto of direct taxes, upon some
other plan to be agreed upon with such States
respectively, that such persons on such accep-
tances by the General Government be at once
deemed free, and that in any event steps be
taken Tor colonizing both classes COR the one
first mentioned if the other shall not be
brought into existence,) at some place
places in climate congenial to them. 1t
might be well to consider too, whether the
free colored people already in the United
States, could not, so far as individuals may
desire, be included in such colonization.
To carry out the plan of colonization may
involve the acquiring OF territory and also the
appropriation of money beyond that to be ex-
pended in the territorial acquisition. Having
practised the acquisition of territory for near
ly sixty years, the question of the Constitu-
tional power to do so is no longer an open
one with The power was questioned at
first by Mr.. Jefferson, who. however, in the
purchase of Louisiana, yielded his scruples on
the plea of great expediency.
If it be said that the only legitimate object
of acquiring territory is to furnish homes for
white men, this measure effects that object,
for emigration of colored men leaves addition
al room for white men, remaining or coming
here. Mr.. Jefferson, however. placed the i'm
r.
litical and commercial grounds, than on pro-
yiding room for population.
On this whole proposition, Including the
appropriation of moneys with the acquisition
of territory, does not the expsdiency amount
absolute necessity that without which the Gov
ernment itself cannot be perpetuated if the
continues.
In considering the policy to be ad opted for
suppressing the ins direction, 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 10 keep the integrity of the Union
prominent as the primary object of the con-
test on our part, leaving all questions which
are not of vital military Importance, to the
more deliberate action of the legislature.
In the exercise of IN, best discretion have
adhered to the blockade of the ports held by
the insurgeants, 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 prudence as we'll as
the obligations of law, instead of transcending
| have adhered to the act of Congress to con-
hscate property used for insurrectionary pur-
poses. LII new law upon the same subject
shall be proposed, its prosperity will be duly
considered.
The Union must be preserved, and hence
all Indispensable means must be employed.
Shal ha in, hacf 70 1afa fbof
radical and extreme measures, which may
reach the loyal as well as diSloyal, are indis-
penSable.
The Inaugural address at the beginning of
the Administration and the message to Con-
greSs at the late special session, were both
mainly devoted to the domestic controversy
out of which the insurrecton and consequent
war have sprung.
Nothing more occurs to add to or substract
from the principles or general purposes
stated and expressed in those document. The
last ray of hope for preserving the Union,
peaceably, expired at the assault upon Fort
Sumter, and general review of what has oc-
cured since may not be Improbable.
What was painfully uncertain then, is much
better defined and more distinct now, and the
progress of events is plainly in the right di-
rection. The insurgents confidently claimed
strong support from North of Mason and
Dixon's line, and the friends of the Union
were not free from apprehension on that point.
This, however, was soon settled definitely and
on the right side.
South of the line, noble little Delaware led
of right from the first. Maryland was made
to seem against the Union. Our soldiers
were assaulted, bridges were burned, and
railroads torn up within her limits, and we
were many days, at one time, without the a.
bility to bring single regiment over her soil
to the Capital.
Now her bridges and railroads are repaired