Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-12-15

on the contemplated lines of their roads, which
when completed will SO largely multiply the facil
flies Tor reaching our distant possessions.
This policy has received It's most signal and ben
eticent illustration in the recent enactment grant.
ing homestead to actual settlers since the lst
OF January last.
The before mentioned quantity o. l,456,5I4
acres of land have been taken up under its pro.
visions. This fact and the amount OF sales fur
nlsh gratifying evidence Of increasing settlements
upon the public l,nds, notwithstanding the great
struggle, in which the energies Of the nation have
been engaged and which has required so large a
withdrawal Of our citizens from their accustomed
pursuits.
cordially concur 10 The recommendation Of
the Secretary OF the Interior, suggesting modi-
fcation Of the act 10 favor Of those engaged in the
military and naval service Of the United States |
doubt not that Congress will cheerfuly adopt such
measures as will, without essentially changing the
general features Of the SYSTEM secure to the great.
est practicable extent its benefits to those who
have left their homes in the defense OF the coun-
Try in this crisis.
invite your attention to the views Of the Sec.
retary as to the propriety OF raising by appropr-
ate legislation revenue from the mineral lands
of the United States.
The measures provided at your last session for
the removal of certain Indian tribes have been
carried into effect. Sundry treaties have been ne
gotated which will in due time be submitted for
the constitutional action of the Senate.
They contain stipulations for exlinguishing the
possesSory rights of the Indians TO large and val
liable tracts Of lands. 1t is hoped that the effect
OF those treaties vill result in the establishment
Of permanent and friendly relations with such Of
these tribes as have been brought into frequent
and bloody collision with the outlying settlements
and emgrants.
Sound policy and the imperative duty to these
wards OF the Government, demand an anxious and
constant attention to their material vel being TO
their progress in the arts OF civilization and above
all to that moral training, which, under the bes.
sing OF Divine Providence, will confer upon them
the elevated and sanctifyng influences, the hopes
and consolations OF the Christian faith
suggested in my last annual message the pro-
priety Ct remodelling our Indian system. Subss-
quent events have satisfied me OF its necessity
The details set forth in the report OF the Secrets-
~ eyinces the urgent need for immediate LegIs-
lative action.
commend the benevolent institutions esab-
lshed or pa!ronized by the Government in this Gis
trict to your generous and fostering care.
The attenuon Of Congress curing the last ses-
sion was engaged, 10 some extent, with Il PROPOSE
ton for enlarging the water communication be-
tween the Mississippi river aud the northeastern
seaboard, which proposition, however, tailed for
the time. Since then, upon a call Of the greatest
respectability, convection has been held at Chi.
cago upon the same subject, summary Of whose
views is contained in memorial addressed to the
President and Congress, and which ere long will
force its own way do not entertain doubt,
while it is submitted entirely TO your wisdom as
to what can be done now. Augmented interest
is given to this subject by the actual commence.
menl Of work upon the Pacific railroad under aus
pices so favorable to rapid progress and compile.
ion that the enlarged navigation becomes pal
pable need to the great road. | transm. the sec
ord annual report Of the Commissioner Of the
Department of Agriculture asking your attention
to the Developments in that vital interest Of the
nation.
When Congress assembled a year ago, the war
had already lasted nearly twenty months, and
there had been many colhcts on both land and
sea with varying results. The rebellion had been
pushed back into reduced limits, yet the tone Of
public opinion at home and abroad was not salts
factory. WIKI other signs, the popular elections
then Just past, indicated uneasiness among our
selves, while, amid much that was cold and men
acing the klndest words coming from Europe
were uttered in accents Of pity that we we're too
blind to surrender hopeless cause.
Our commerce was suffering greatly BY few
armed vessels, built upon and furnished from for
egn shores, and were threatened with such addi-
tons from the same quarters as would sweep our
trade from the sea ana raise our blockade. We
had failed to elicit from European Governments,
anything hopeful on this subject.
The preliminary emancipation proclamation is
sued in September was running its assigned peri.
cd to the beginning OF the new year. A month
later the final proclamation came, including the
that colorad men Of suitable condi.
ton, would b. received into the war service. The
policy Of emancipation and OF employing black
soldiers, gave to tie future new aspect, about
which hope aud fear contended IN uncertain con.
Act. According to our political system, as a
matter OF civil administration, the general govern
ment had no lawful power to effect emancipation
in any State, and fora long time ii had been
hoped that the rebellion could be suppressed with
out resoring TO it as a military measure, 1t was
all the while deemed possible ,hst the necessity
for it might come, and that il II should the crisis
of the contest would then be presented 1t came,
and, as was anticipated, ii was followed by
dark and doubtful days
Eleven months having nov passed we are per-
mitttd to take another review. The rebel bor.
ders are pressed still further back, and by the
complete opening OF the Mississippi the country
dominated by the rebellion is divided into distinct
parts, with no practicable communication between
them. Tennessee and Arkansas have been sub
stantially cleared Of insurgents control and innu-
en,ial citizens in EACH owners Of slaves and advo.
Gates OF slavery at the beginning Of the REBEL.
ion, now declare openly for emancipation In their
respective States. OF the States not included in
the emancipation proclamation, Maryland and
Missouri, neither Of which three years ago would
tolerate any restraint upon the extension Of slave.
~ into new territories only dispute now as to the
best mode OF removing il within their own lin
its.
OF those who were slaves at tht beginning OF
the rebellion full one hundred thousand are now
IN the United States military service, about one
halt of which number actually bear arms In the
ranks, thus giving the double advantage Of taking
so much labor from the nSurgent cause, and sup
plying the places which otherwise must be filed
by so many white men. So far as tested It is diff.
6ouI to say they are not as good soldiers as any.
No sersile insurreclon or tendency to cruelty has
marked the measures Of emancipation and arm
ing the blacks These measures have been much
discussed in foreign countries, and contemporary
with such discussion the tone Of public sentiment
there is much improved.-A home the same
measures have been fully discussed, supported,
criticised and denounced, and the annual elections
following are highly encouraging to those whose
official duty it is to bear the country through this
great trial. Thus we have the new reckoning.
lha crisis which thfeAtned 70 divide the friends