The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-12-16
VOL. s, NO. 20.

1 pensioners, 793. At the beginning of the year
the number of revolutionary pensioners was !,
430. Only twelve of them were soldiers, o.
/ whom seven have since died. The remainde
are those who, under the laws, receive pensions
because of relationship to revolutionary sol
diers. During the year ending the 30th OF June
1864, 1904, Gle 90 have been paid to pen
, sioners Of all classes
s ! cheerfully commend to your continued pat
ronage the benevolent institutions of the Dis
triCt of Columbia, which have hitherto been
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 of the Interior.
The Agricultural Department, under the SUI
peryision Of its present energetic and faithful
head, is rapidly commenting itself to the great
and vital interest it was created to advance.
1t is particularly the department in which the
people feel more directly concerned than in any
other. commend it to the continued atten-
tion and fostering care of Congress.
| The war continues. Since the last annual
message all the important lines and positions
then occupied by our forces, have been main
tanned, and our armies have steadily advanced
thus liberating the region left in the rear, so
that Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and parts
of other States have again produced -easona-
bly, fair crops.
| The most remarkable feature in the military
| operations of the year is GUneral Sherman's at
/ tempted march Of three hundred miles directly
through the insurgent region. 1t tends to show
a great increase of our relative strength that
our General-in-Chef should feel able to con-
front and hold in check every active force Of
tie enemy, and yet to detail a we'll appointed
large army to move on such an expedition.
The result not yet being known, conjecture in
regard TO it is not here INDUCED
Independent movements have also occurred
during the year to the effect of modelling soci-
ETY. for durability in the Union.
Although it is much in the right direction
that twelve thousand citizens in each Of the
States of Arkansas and Louisiana have organ-
lied loyal State Governments with Free Con-
stitutions, and are earnestly struggling to main
tain and administer them, the movements in
the same directions, more extensive though less
definite, in Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee
should not be overlooked
Bu Maryland presents the exampleof complete
the Union for all the future. The genius of
rebellion will no more claim Maryland Like
aaek to tear her, but il will WOO her no more.
At the last session Of Congress proposed
amendment to the Constitution, abolshing 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, and without ques-
tioning the wisdom or patriotism Of those who
stood in opposition, venture to recommend
the reconsideration and passage of the measure
at the present session.
Oc course the abstract question is not chang
ed, but an intervening election shows almost
certainly that the next Congress will pass the
measure, ir this one does not; hence it is only
question of time when the proposed amend
ment will go to the States for their action, :,
| as it is to 90 at all events may not ae
| the sooner the better? II is not claimed
| the election has imposed duty on members
| change their views OF their votes, any furt
| than as an additional element 10 be consideN u
| how far their judgment may be effected BY
| It is the voice of the people for the first
heard upon the question.
In great national crisis like ours, unan
| ity of action among those seeking a CONT
| end is very desirable, almost Indispensable,
vet no approach to such unanimity is attai
| bic unless some Difference shall be paid to
will of the majority, simply because it is the
will of the majority. In this case the common
| end of the maintenance of the Union, and a.
mong the means TO secure that end saci lCiL,
through the election, is most clearly declared in
favor Of such constitutional amendment. The
most reliable indication of public purpose in
this coantry is derived.
Through our popular elections, Judging by
the recent canvass and its results, the purpose
Of the people within the loyal States to main
tain the integrity of the Union was never more
firm, nor more nearly unanimously 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 all those who supported the
Union ticket, SO called. but great majority of
the opposing party also, may be fairly claimed
to entertain and to be actuated by the same
purpose 1t is an unanswerable argument to
this effect. that no candidate for any Office
whatever, high or low, has ventured to seek
votes on the avowal that he was for giving up
the Union. There has been much impugning
of motives, and much heated controversy as to
the proper means and best mode of advancing
the Union cause, but on the distinct issue OF
Union Or no Unton, the politicians have shown
their instructive knowledge that there is no di-
versity among the people.
In affording the people the fair opportunity
of showing one to another and to the werld
the fairness and unanimity of purposes, the e.
, lection has been of vast Importance to the na-
tienal cause.
The election has exhibited another fact not
less valuable to be known. The fact that We
do not approach exhaustion in the most i'm
portant branch of our national resources-that
: of having men while it is melancholy to re-
: fleet that the war has filled so many graves