The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-12-06
THE LATEST WAR NEWS.

Congress convened last Monday. Both Houses
having quorum, they Immediately began the
Transaction of business. The Chaplain returned
thanks for the tightening prospects for the lib
erty Of the slave, and for emancipation from q
system which had involved sin, sorrow, and
shame. A greater portion of its time has been
taken up by the introduction of resolutions Of
inquiry concerning the arrest and incarceration
Of parties without there being any charges pre-
ferred. The subject of defences on the Lakes,
in case of English Intervention, has also been
taken up, and the Committee on Naval Affairs
were instructed to report the best mode of placing
vessels of war on Lake Ontario, and of establish
ing water communication with the other Lakes.
We have but O synopsis of the Presidents Mes
sage. We cannot allude to it at length. He
says our relations with foreign nations are more
satisfactory that might have been apprehended.
Urges strongly the Pacific Railroad and Tele-
graph projects, saying that they will develop the
territories and improve the revenue. Speaking
OF the recent Indian troubles, he asks whether
our Indian system shall not be remodled." He
also urges an enlargement Of the great canals of
New York, Illinois, and Michigan, and .he con-
sideration of compensated emancipation. He
suggests amendments to the Constitution regard
ing the abOiishment of Slavery and colonization !;
proposes that all States who adopt emancipation
BY the LIST of January. 1900, shall be compensa.
ted.
Affairs on the Potamac are "quiet," Of course,
and somewhat mystifed. Cavalry skirmishes
continually occur, but what the grand army is
doing or intends doing can only be conjectured
The recent threat to shell Fredericksburg has
not yet been put into execution, for one or other
OF but two reasons-either to give the rebels time
TO make it impregnable, which they are doing,
or elee but O fent to cover some other movement
of our army. Their style Of doing business on
the Potomac renders the first of these surmises
the most reasonable; but the indications are that
. movement upon Richmond is to lie made. The
advantage gained by Burnside's recent change
of base" is that it opens level road to Rich
mond, and gives the left of our moving columns
the protection Of the river Rappahannock. 1t
looks well, if they have any idea of doing any
thing. The telegraph gives a runor that Burn
side has been relieved and Hooker appointed to
his place
That glorious little Kansas army in Arkansas.
daily put to shame the magnificent army that
has SO long adorned the Potomac, and wasted
the substance Of the Government. Weelsewhere
publish General Blunt's dispatch, from which it
will be seen that our boys made forced march
of thirty-five miles, and ATTACKED the enemy,
completely routing them. Pennsylvania may
mourn that there were no Kansans, led by the
gallant Blunt, on the Potomac at the time Of her
invasion. They actually followed the enemy
twelve miles. fighting them every foot of the
way. They ought to be dismissed from the eer-
<ice-the abolition murderers! a later dispatch
from the General says the rebels have reached
Van Buren, where they were reinforced by Hind
nan. The General is confident he can whip
$4,000. Of course, he can. They will yet have
to have q couple of Kansas regiments in the
advance on the Potomac, and leader to match,
before they will accomplish anything there. A
little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
Activity is beginning to characterize matters
In the army of the Southwest. The army has
struck tents and is now marching Southwark.
The Kansas First and Seventh regiments are in
the advance, and Colonel Lee, of the Seventh, is
Chief of Cavalry of the Army of the Mississippi
General Grant is pleasingly severe. He has the
disloyal circles about Memphis in a stew by
recent order 70 the effect that before anything
can be bought to eat or wear. the purchaser must
take the oath Of allegiance.
THE STATE FINANCES