Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-12-08

provide for recognizing the system in
California, ana IL Is believed that under
the present organization the manage
ment OF the Indians there viii be attend
ed with reasonable success. Much vet
remains to be done TO provide for the
proper government of the Indians In
other parts of the country TO render n
secure for the advancing settler, and IN
provide for the welfare of the Indian.
The Secretary reiterates his recommend,
atoms, and TO them the attention OF
Congress Is invited.
PENSIONS.
The liberal provisions made by Con
gress for paying pensions TO invalid SOL
diers and sailors of the Republic, and TO
the widows, orphans and dependent
mothers of those who have fallen in bat
tie or died of disease contracted, or OF
wounds received in the service of their
country, have been diligently admins
tered. There have been added to the
pension rolls during the year ending the
S0th day of June last, the names of 49,
40 invalided soldiers and of oil dis
abled seamen, making the present num-
Der of army invalid pensioners 90. 767,
and of navy invalid pensioners 7l2.
OF widows orphans and mothers o.
1913 have been placed on the army pen
sion rolls, and 24S on the navy rolls.
The present number of army pensions of
this class is %, 435, and of navy pensions
1893. At the beginning Of the year the
number OF Revolutionary pensioners
was 1889. Only II of them were sol
diers of whom have since died. The
remainder are those who under the law
receive pensions because of rela-
tienship to Revolutionary soldiers. Dur
ing the year ending the 30th OF June,
1854, S4,504,6l6 90 have been paid to
pensioners of all classes.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
cheeriully commend to your contin-
ued patronage the benevolent institu-
tions of the District of Columbia which
have hitherto been established and fos-
tered by Congress, and respectfully re-
fer for information concerning them,
and in relation to the Washington aQue-
duct, the Capitol, and other matters of
local interest, to the report of the Secre-
tary.
THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
The Agricultural Department, under
the supervision of its present energetic
and faithful head, is rapidly commend
ing itself to the great and vital interest
it was created to advance. 1t is pecu-
liarly the peoples Department, in which
they feel more directly concerned than
in any other. | commend it to the con-
tinued attention and fostering care of
Congress
PROGRESS OF THE WAR.
The war continues. Since the last an
nual message all the important lines and
positions then occupied by our forces
have been maintained and our armies
have steadily advanced, thus liberating
the regions left in the rear, so that Mis-
souri,, Kentucky, 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.
Sherman's attempted march of 800 miles
directly through the 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, and yet to detach a well-appoint-
ed large army to- move on such an ex.
pedition. The result not vet being
known, conjecture in regard to it is not
here INDUCED.
RECONSTRUCTION.
Important movements have also oc-
Cured during the year to the effect of
moulding society for durability in the
oh -
success il is much in the right direction
that 10000 citizens in each OF the States
of Arkansas and Louisiana have organ
lied loyal State Governments with free
constitutions, and are earnestly strug-
CLING to maintain and administer 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 success. Maryland is secure
to Liberty and Union for all the future.
The genius of rebellion will no more
claim Maryland. Like another foul
spirit, being driven out, it may seek to
tear her, but it will WOO her no more.
CONSTITUTIONAL ABOLITION OF SLAVERY.
AT the last session of Congress pro-
posed amendment of the Constitution
abolishing slavery throughout the Unit
ed States failed for lack of the re-
quisite two thirds 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 opposition, venture to recon-
mend the reconsideration and passage of
the measure at the present session.
OF course the abstract question is not
changed, but an intervening election
shows almost certainly that the next
Congress will pass the measure. Hence
there is only the question of time as to
when the proposed amendment will 90
to the States for their action, and as If
is to go at all events, may we not agree
thatthe sooner the better. 1t js NOT |
claimed that the election has imposed a |
futy on members to change their views. !
1r their votes. any further than as an
additional element to be considered
heir Judgment may be affected bv IL
t is the voice Of the people, now for the
irst time heard upon the question. In |