Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-12-14

/ OF whom seven have since died. The re-
mainder are those who, under the law, re-
| ceiye pensions because Of relationship 10
| Revolutionary soldiers During the year
ending the 30th Of June, lS64 81, 504, 6lo %
have been pad to pensioners OF all classes.
cheerfuily commend to your continued
patronage the benevolent institutions Of the
District of Columbia, which have hitherto
been established or fuStered by Congress,
and respectfully refer for information con-
cerning them. and in relation 10 the Wash
ington Aqueduct, the Capital and other
matters Of local interest to the report Of the
Secretary of the interior.
The Agricultural Department, under the
supervision OF Its present energetic and faith
ful head, Is rapidly commanding ltSelftO the
great and vital interest 1t was created TO adj
vance 1t is peculiarly the peoples depart
ment in which they feel more directly con
cerned than in any other. | commend 1t
to the continued attention and fostering
care OF Congress.
The war continues. Since the last anl-
al message, all the important lines and
positions then occupied by our forces nave
been maintained and our armies have stead
lily advanced, thus IbeTating the region
left in the rear, so that Missouri, Kentucky,
Tennessee. and parts Of other States, have
again produced remarkably fair crops. The
most remarkable feature IN the military op
erlJions OF the year Is General Sherman ;
attempted march OF three hundred miles di-
rectly though the insurgent region. 1t tends
! to show great increase OF our relative
/ strength, that cur General-ii-Chlef should
| feel able to confront aud hold in check every
active force ot the enemy and yet to detach
well apf6inted large army to move on such
an expedition. The result not yet being
E,,oNvl, ,.oue..t1lra A rpu.T. here
indulged.
Important movements have also occurred
during the year To the effect OF moulding
society for durability in the Union. Al
though short of complete success, 1t Is much
in the right diIectIon-that twelve thousand
citizens in each Of the States Of Arkansas
and Louisiana have organized loyal StateGoy-
| ernments with free Constitutions, and are
earnestly struggling 10 maintain aud admin
lister them. The movement III the same dl-
rectiOn more extensive, though less definite,
in Missouri Kentucky and Tennessee, should
| not be overlooked. But Maryland presents
the example OF complete success. Maryland
| Is secure to liberty and Mon for all time
TO come. The genius Of TebeihOD viii TO
more claim Maryland. Like another foul
spirit being driven out, 1t may seek to tear
her, but 1t viii WOO her no more.
At the last session Of Congress, proposed
amendment To the Constitution abOlishiug
slavery throughout the United States passed
the Senate. but failed for lack of the requi-
site two-thIrds vote in the House OF heprc-
scntatiVcs. Although the present l. the same
Congress, and nearly the same members
without questioning the wisdom or patriot
ism Of those who stood in opposition, ven
ture to recommend the reconsideration and
passage of the measure at the present scs-
sion. OF course the abstract question Is not
changed; but an intervening election shows
almost certainly that the next Congress will
pass the measure, II this does not, hence
there Is only question Of time as to when
the proposed amendment VIII 90 TO the States
for their action, and as 1t IS to go, at all e.
vents. may we not agree that the sooner the
better. 1t is not claimed that the election
has imposed 4 duty on members TO change
their views or their votes any Further than
as an additional clement TO be considered how
tdrthcirj dgment may be effected by It. 1t Is
the voice Of the people now for the first time
heard upon the question. Ia great na-
tiona crisis Ike ours unanimlty OF action
among those seeking a common end Is tery
desirable, almost Indispensable, and yet no
approach to such Gnanimity Is attanablc, u{l-
less some Difference shall be paid To the.MII
Of the majority, simply because it IS the viii
OF the majority Ia this case the common
end is the maintenance of the Union and
among the means to secure that end, such
viii through the election is most clearly de-
clared in favor Of such constitutional amend
ment.
The most reliable indication Of public pur
pose III this country Is derived through our
popular elections Judging by the recent can
vass and its result, the purpose Of the people
with! IN the loyal States to maintain the in-
A. 1
nor more nearly unanimous than now. The
extraordinary calmness and good arderwith
which the millions Of voters met, and min
gled at the polls, gave strong assurance
Of this. Not only all those who supported
the Union ticket, so called, but a great ma
jority of the opposing party also many be
fairly claimed TO entertain and 30 be actuated
by the sane purpose. 1t Il an unanswera-
BILE argument to this effect that no candidate
for any Office whatever, high or low, has ven
trred TO seek votes on the ayowal that he
was for giving up the Union. There has
been much lmpugning OF motives, and much
hated controversy is to the proper means
and best mode OF adyacing the Unlon cause
but on the distinct issue OF Union or no
Union. the politicians have shown their IN
stinctiye knowledge that there Is no diversi-
ty among the people. In atfording to the
people the fair opportunity Of showing, one
10 another, and to the world, this firmness,
and unanimity of purpose, the election has
been of vast value to the National cause.
The election has exhibited another fact
not less valuable to be known, the fact that
we DO not approach exhaustion in the most
important branch Of National resources. that
of living men. While it is melancholy to
reflect that the war has filed 50 many graves
and carried mourning to so many hearts, it
is snnle relief tn knnp that cnmnared with