The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-12-15
no. 4ss


being driven out, il may seek to tear her,
but it will rule her no more
\ the last Session of Congress Of
! proposed amenimcnt Of the Constitution
abolishiug Slavery throughout the United
States passed the Senate, bat failed for
lack OF the requisite tw0 thirds vote in
the House OF Representatives Although
! the present is the same Congress. and
nearly the same members. aud without
questioning the wisdom or patriotism of
those who stood in opposition, venture
to recommend the consideration and pas
sage Of the measure at the present ses-
sion.
OF course the at1tract question is not
changed, but an intervening election
shows almost certainly that the next Con-
/ gress will pass the measure if this does
not Hence there is only question of
| time as to when the proposed amendment
! will 20 to The States for tkeir action, aud az
it is to go at all events, may we not agres
that the sooner the better 1t is not
claimed that election has imposed duty
on members to change their views or
their votes any further than as an ad-
ditional element to be considered. Their
judgment may be affected by it,
1t is the voice of the People 1ow for
the first time heard upon the question:
! In great National crisis like ours. una
nimity of action among those seeking
a common end is very desirable, almost
Indispensable. and Jet no approach to such
unanimity IS attainable unless some de-
ference shall be paid to the will of the ma
jority, simply because it is the will of the
majority.
In this case the common end is the
maintenance Of the Union, and among
the means to secure that end, such will,
through The election, IS most clearly de-
clared III favor Of such constitutional
amendment. The IG0st reliable indica-
ton OF public purpose IN this country Is
derived through cur popular elections
Judging by the recent canvass ahd its re-
suit, tie purpose of the loyal States to
maintain the integrity Of the Union was
never msre firm nor more nearly unani-
nous than now.
The extraordinary calmness and good
order with which the millions Of voters
met and mingled At the polls give strong
assurance Of this. Not only th,.se who
supported the Union ticket" ,socalled),
bat great majority Of the Opposing party
also, may lie fairly claimed 10 entertain
and to be actualed ~ the same purpose.
1t is an unanswerJbIe argument to this
effect that 90 candidate tor auy office
whatever, high or low. has yentured to seek
votes on he avouai that he was for Civ
ing up the Union.
There has been much impuguing of
motives and heated controversy as to ine
proper means and best mode OF advancing
the Union cau>c, but in the distinct issue
OF Union or 10 Union the politicians
have shown their Instructive knowledge
that there IS no diversity among the PEG
pie. In aioraing the People fair op-
portuaity Of showing one to another and
to the world this frmness 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 the national
resources, that OF living men While it
is melancholy to reflect that the war has
filed SO many graves aud carried mourn
ing to 50 many hearts, It is some relief to
know that, compared with the surviving,
the fallen have been so few. While crops,
and divisions, and brigadcs and regiment
have formed, and fought and dwiudled,
and gone out OF existence. a great maiori-
ty OF the men who composed them are
still living. The same is true of the ma
val service The election returns prove
this. So many voters cOnld not else be
found The States regularly holding
elections both now AMI four years ago, to
wit : California, Connecticut, Delaware,
Illinois. Indiana, Iowa keutncky, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts. Michigan Min
neSota, Missouri, New-.jersey, New York,
Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Is
land, Vermont, West Virginia aud Wis
consin, cast 3.982,0ll votes now. against
3,S7U.22 east them, showing au aggre-
gate now OF 32,YS2, II, TO which is TO be
added 81. l62 east now in the new States
of Kansas and Nevada, which States did
not vote in 1850 thus swelling the aggre-
cate to 4,U75.773, aud the net increase
during the three years aud halt of war
to l45.75l A table is appended show
ing particulars.
TO this again should be added the
number of soldiers in the field from Mas
sachusetts, Rhode Island, New jersey,
Delaware, Indiana, Illinois, and Califor
MIA, who, by the laws OF these States,
canId not vote away from their homes,
and which number cannot be less than
10000 Nor yet is this all The num-
ber il ths organized Territories IS trife
now to what ii was foEr years sgo, while
thousands. white aud black. JojA IS as the
national arms press-back the irsurgeut
lines.
So much is shown sAifniatisely and
negatively by the election. Isis not ma
terial 10 inquire how the Increase has