Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-12-09
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=sa.szssz-z IsTERIoR DEPARTMENT.
Indian affairs, the Pacific railroad, and min
eral discoveries are contained in the Report of
the Secretary of the Interior, which is here
| with transmitted and which report also embra-
ces the subjectsof Patents, Pensions. and other
topics Of public interest pertaining to his De-
partment. The quantity of public land dis
posed of during the five quarters ending ON the
30th Of September last was 4, 22I, ,342 acres, of
which I, 538, SD acres were entered under the
Homestead Law. Fhe remainder was located
with military land warrants, agricultural scrip
certified to States for railroads, and sold for
cash. The cash received for sales and location
fees was 81, ,019, 446. The income from sales
during the fiscal year ending June 30 1864,
was $67, ,e00s 72l against sSl3, ,607, 1876 received
during the preceding year.
E The aggregate of acres surveyed during the
year has been equal TO the quantity disposed Of
and there is open to settlement about l33, ,000,
600 acres Of surveyed lands.
- PACIFIC RAILRoAD AND TELEGRAPH.
The great enterprise of connecting the At
lanfic with the Pacific States by railway and
telegraph lines has been entered upon with a
yigor that gives assurance of success, nOtwith-
standing the embarrassments arising from the
prevailing high prices of materials and labor
The route of the main line of the road has been
definitely located for one hundred miles vest
ward from the initial point at Omaha City, Ne
braska, and a preliminary location of the Pa
cific Railroad of California, has been made from
Sacramefto eastward to the great Bend of
Mucker River, in Nevada.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., &C.
Numerous discoveries of gold, silver, and
cinebar mines have been added to the many
| heretofore known, and the country occupied by
the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains, and
the subordinate ranges now teens with enter
prising labor which is richly remuneratiye. 1t
is believed that the product of the mines of
precious metals in that region has, during the
past year, reached, if not exceeded 800, ,O00 0OO
| in value. twas recommended in my last an
| nual message that our Indian system be remod-
elled. Congress at its last session, acting upon
the recommendation did provide for reOrgani-
zing the system in California and it is believed
that under the present organization the man
agement of the Indians there will be attended
with reasonable success. Much yet remains to
be done to provide for the proper government Of
the Indians In other parts of the country, to
render it secure for the advancing settler and to
| provide for the welfare of the Indian. The
Secretary reiterates his recommendations and to
them the attention of Congress is invited.
PENSION LIST.
The liberal provisions to invalid soldiers and
sailors of the Republic, and to the widows, or
phans and dependent mothers of those who
| have fallen in battle or died of diseases con-
| tracted, or of wound received in the service OF
their country have been diligently administered.
| There have been added to the pension rolls
| during the year ending the 30th day of June
last, the names of Is, no invalid soldiers, and
| of 271 disabled seaman, making the present
number of army invalid pensioners y, 767, and
| of navy invalid pensioners 7l2. OF widows,
orphans and mothers %, 1873 have been placed
on the army pension rolls, and 248 on the navy
| rolls. The present number of army pensioners
of this class is 25, ,433 and of the navy 793
AT the beginning of the year the number of
| revolutionary pensioners was ,430; only IL OF
| them were soldiers, of whom seven have since
| died. The remainder are those who under the
| law receive pensions because of relationship to
| revolutionary soldiers. During the year end
ing the Both of June, 1864, 81, 5O4, GIG 80 have
been paid to pensioners of all classes
cheerfully commend to your continued pat
| ronage the benevolent institutions of the Dis
trict of Columbia, which have hitherto been es-
tablished or fostered by Congress, and respect
fully refer for information concerning these and
| in relation to the Washington Aqueduct the
Capitol and other matters of local interest, to
| the report of the Secretary.
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
The Agricultural Department under the su-
pervision of its present energetic and faithful
head, is rapidly commencing itself to the great
and vital INTEREST," it was created to advance. II
lis peculiarly the peoples department in which
they feel more directly concerned than in any
| other. commend it tothe continued attention
and fostering care of Congress.
z1 81, THE WAR.
The war continues since the last annual mes
then occupied by our forces have been MAIN
tanned, and our armies have steadily advanced,
thus Gberating the regions left in the rear, so
that Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee and
parts of other States have again produced rea-
sonably fair crops.
The most remarkable feature in the military
operations of the year is Gen. SherInaas at
tempted march of 300 miles directly through
the insurgent region. 1t tends to show great
increase of our relative strength that our Gen.
eral-in-Chief should feel able to confront and
hold in check every active force of the enemy,
and yet detatch well appointed army to move
on such an expedition.
The result not yet being known, conjecture
in regard to it is not here indulged. Important
movements have also occurred during the year
to the effect of moulding society for durability
in the Union. Although short of complete sue
cess it is so much in the right direction, that
IL, 900 citizens in each of the States of Arkan-
sas, and Louisiana have organized loyal State
governments with free constitutions, and are
earnestly struggling to maintain and admins
ter them. The movement in the same direc-
ton, more extensive, though less definite, in
Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee, should not
be overlooked. But Maryland presents the ex-
ample Of complete success. Maryland is Sc
cure to Liberty and Union for all the future.
The genius of rebellion will no more claim
Maryland. Like another foul spirit being driv-
en- out, it may seek to tear her, but it viii WOO
her no more.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
AT the last session of Congress proposed
amendment of the constitution abolishing sla-
very throughout the United States, passed the
Senate, but failed for lack of the requisite two
thirds vote in the House of Representatives
Although the present is the same Congress and
nearly the same members, without questioning
the wisdom or patriotism of those who stood
in opposition, venture to recommend the re-
consideration and passage of the measure at
the present session.
OF fcourse the abstract question is not chang
ed, but an intervening election shows almost
certainly that the nexta aCongress will pass the
measure, if this does not Hence there is only
question of time as to when the proposed
amendment VIII 90 10 Lne OLaJeS Tor their ac-
tion, and as tits to so 60 at all events, may we
not agree that the sooner the better. 1t is not
claimed that the election has imposed duty on
members to change their views, or their votes,
any further than an additional element to be
considered, their Judgment may be effected by
it. IT is the voice of the people now for the
first time heard upon the question.
THE LESSON OF THE ELECTION.
In a great national crisis like ours unanimity
of action among those seeking common end is
very desirable, almost indispensable, and yet
no approach to such unanimity is sattainable, un-
less some Difference shall be paid 10 the will of
the majority simply because it is the will ofthe
majority. In this case the common end is the
maintaining qSthe Union, and among the means
to secure that end, such will, through the cleo
tion is most clearly declared in favor of such
Constitutional amendment. The most reliable
indication of public purposes in this country is
derived through our popular elections.
Judging by the recent canvass and its results,
the purpose of the people within the loyal
States to maintain the integrity of the Union
was never more firm nor more nearly unani-
nous than now. The extraordinary calmness