The New York herald., 1864-12-07

diligently administered There have been added
to the pension rolls drrng the year endirg the
30th day OF June last the names OF 1879 IN
valid soldiers and OF 27l disabled sesmen; max
ing the present number of army invalid pen
sioners 22,Ib and OF navy Invalid pensioners
7lZ. VI widows orphans and mothers ~, l9S have
been placed on the army pension rolls and 24S on
the navy rolls. The present number OF army pen.
sioncrs OF this class is 2 433 aud OF navy pension
ers 793 At the beginning Of the year the num-
Der OF kevolutionary pensioners was l $50. Only
twelve OF them were soldiers, OF whom seven
have since died. The remainder are those who
under the law receive pensions because of rela-
uonship 10 Revolutionary soldiers. During the
year ending the 30th Of June, 1864, 81 504 GIG 90
have been paid TO pensioners of all classes.
THB CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS OF rHE DISTRICT
OF COLUMBIA.
cheenul!y commend TO your continued patron
age the benevolent institutions of the District OF
Columbia which have hitherto been established or
fostered BY Congress; and respectfully refer for
information concerning them, and in relation to
the Washington Aqueduct, the Capitol and other
matters OF local interest, to the report of the
Secretary
A6RICULTUHE.
The Agricultural Department, under the super.
vision of its present energetic and faithful head is
rapidly commendiug itself to the great and vital
interest it was created to advance. II is peculiarly
the peoples department., in which they feel more
directly concerned than in any other. ! commend
It to the continued attention and fostering care OF
Congress.
THE WAR.
OUR MILITARY OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF RECON-
@1s% SrRUCrION.
The war continues. Since the last annual mes
sage all the important lines and positions then oc-
cupied by our forces have been maintained, and
our armies have steadily advanced, thus hberating
the regions left in the rear, 80 that Mis-
souri,, Kentucky, Tennessee. and parts OF other
States, have again produced reasonably fair crops.
The most remarkable feature in the military
operations OF the year il General Sherman's at
tempted march of three hundred miles directly
through insurgent region. 1t tends to show
great increase of our relative strength that
our General in Chief should feel able to confront
and hold in check every active force OF the enemy
aud yet to detach q well appointed large army
to move on such an expedition. The result not
yet being known conjecture in regard to it should
not here be indulged.
Important movements have also occurred DUR
ing the year to the effect Of moulding society for
durability in the Union. Although short OF com.
plete success 1t s much in the right direction that
twelve thousand citizens In each Of the States Of
Arkansas and Louisiana have organized loyal
State governments with free constitutions, and
are earnestly struggling to maintain and admin
lister them. The movement in the Same direction,
more extensive though less definite. in Missouri,
Kentucky and Tennessee. should not be overlooked.
But Maryland presents the example Of complete
for ali the future The genius Of rebellion will
moro claim Maryland. Like another foul spirit
being driven out, it may seek to tear her, but 1t
will WOO her no more. t tAsk te
ABOLITION or SLAVERY BY coNsrrrurIoNAL AMEND
Al the last session Of Congress . proposed
amendment Of the constitution abolishing slavery
throughout the United States passed the Senate,
but failed for lack Of the requisite wothirds vote
in the House Of Representatives. Although the
present is the same Congress, and nearly the
same members, and without questioning the
wisdom or patriotism Of those who stood in oppo-
siton, i venture to recommend the reconsidera.
ton and passage OF the measure at the present
session. Or course the abstract question is not
changed; but an intervening election shows almost
certainly that the next Congress will pass the mea.
sure II this does not. Hence there Is only aques.
ton Of time as to when the proposed amendment
will 90 to the States for their action and it 10 To
60 at all events, may we not agree that the sooner
the better. II il not claimed that the election
or aS On than e
tional element to be considered. Their Judgment
may be .nscted py IT, IL is the voice q
upon % the question. In great national
crisis like ours unanimity Of action among
those seeking Q common end is very desirable
almost Indispensable; and yet no approach to such
unanimity Is attainable unless some Difference
shall be paid to the will OF the majority, simply
because II 10 the will Of the majority In this
the common end ID the maintenance Of the Union;
and among the means to secure that end, such
will, through the election, is most clear
ly declared in favor Of such constitu.
tional amendment MR5 1E s.@Ma
rHB RECENT PREsrDgxrrAL ELECTION.
The most reliable indication Of public pur-
pose in this country is derived through
canvass and its result, the purpose OF the
people within the loyal States to maintain the in
tegrity Of the Union was never more firm nor
more nearly unanimous than now. The ex-
traordnary calmness and good order with
which the millions of voters met and mingled
at the polls give strong assurance Of this. Not
only all those who supported the Union ticket"
SO called but great majority of the
to entertain and to be actuated by
the same purpose. 1t is an unapswerable
argument to this effect that no candidate for any
Office whatever, high or low, has yentured TO seek
votes on the avowal that he was for giving up the
Union. There have been much impugniug If
motives and much heated controversy a. to the
proper means and best mode OF advancing the
Union cause; but in the distinct issue Of
shown their instructive knowledge that there
is no diversity among the people. In adording
the people the fair opportunity OF showing one to
another and to the world this drrnness and unani.
nifty 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 the
national resources-that Of living men. While Il
is melancholy TO reflect that the war has filed
many graves and carried mourning to many
hearts, it is some relief TO know that compared
with the surviving, the fallen have been 30 few.
While corps and divisions and brigades and regi-
ments have formed and fought and dwinded and
gone out of existence, great majority Of the men
who composed them are still living. The same
is true of the naval service. The cleo
ton returns prove this. So many voters
could not else be found The States regu.
larry holding elections, both now and four
years ago--to wit, Californa, Connecticut,
Delaware, Illinois,, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,, Michigan, Min.
nesota. Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania Rhode
Island Vermont, West Virginia and Wiscon
sn-cast 39s2,0ll votes nnw, against
$3.50 ,222 cast tten, showing an aggregate now OF
agS2 OIL to which Il 10 be added 80 .762 cast now
In the new States of Kansas and Nevada, which
States did not vote in lSG0; thus swelling tho az.
grecatc TO 4,0l6,i13, and the net increase during
the three years and half of war TO la5 1911