Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1864-12-13

aus. The Secretary reiterates his recon
menda,ions, and to them tho attention ol
Congress is invited.
The liberal provisions made by Congress
for paying pensions to invalid soldiers and
sailors of the Republic, and to the widows,
orphans and dependent mothers Of those
who have fallen in battle, or died of dis
ease contracted, or of wounds received, 10
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 uames Of l6, 10 invalid
soldiers, and Of 27l disabled seamen,
making the present number Of army invalid
pensioners, - 767, and Of navy invalid
pensioners, 7l2 Of widows, orphans aud
mothers, 22.99S have been placed on the
army pension rolls, and 24S on the navy
rolls. The present Dumber of army pen.
sioners of this class is 20, 433, and of navy
pensioners I33.
A. the beginning of the year the num-
Der Of Revolutionary pensioners was |, 43O;
only twelve Of them we're soldiers, OF
whom seven have since died The re-
mainder are those who, under the laws,
receive pensions because of relationship to
! Revolutionary soldiers.
During the year ending 30th of June,
1861, S4,504, ,6l6.92 have been paid to
pensioners of all classes.
cheertully comme. i to your continued
patronage the benevolent institutions of
the District of Columbia, which have
hitherto been established or fos,ered by
Congress, aud respectfully refer, for infor-
nation concerning them, and in relation
to the Washington aqueduct, the Capitol,
aud other matters Of local interest, to the
report of the Secretary Of The Interior.
The Agricultural Department, under
the supervision of its present energetic
and faithful head, is rapidly commenting
itself to the great and vital interests it
was created to advance. 1t is peculiarly
the Peoples Department, in which they
feel more directly concerned than in any
other. I commend it to the contpued
attention and fostering care of Congress.
The war continues. Since the last
Annual Message, all the important lines
aud positions, then occupied by our forces,
have been maintained, aud our arms have
been steadily advanced, thus libera,ing
the regions left in the rear: so that Mis-
souri,, Kentucky, Tennessee, and parts Of
other States, have again produced reason.
able fair crops.
The mos, remarkable feature in the
military operations Of the year, is General
Sberman's attempted march of threo hun
dred miles directly through the insurgent
region. 1t tends 10 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 detaeh . we'll appointed
largo army 60 move on such an expedition.
The result not being yet known, conjec.
ture in regard to it is not here INDUCED.
Important movements have also oc-
Cured during the year, to the effect Of
moulding society for the durability Of the
Union. Although short of complete sue
cess, it is much in the right direction that
States of Arkansas and Louisiana, have
organized local State Governments, with
free constitutions, and are earnestly strug-
Cling to maintain aud 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 aud Union for all the future.
The genius of rebellion will no more claim
Maryland. Like another foulspirit, being
driven out, it may seek to tear her, but it
will WOO her DO more.
At the last session Of Congress, pro.
posed amendment to the Constitution,
abolishing Slavery throughout the United
States, passed the Senate, but failed, for
lack of the requisite two-tbirds vote, in
the House of Representatives. Although
the present is the same Congress, aud
nearly the same members, and without
questioning the wisdom or patriotism of
those who stood in opposition, l venture
to recommend the reconsideration and
passage of the measure at the present ses-
sion. Of course the abstract 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 amend
ment will 60 to the States for their action,
aud as it is to go at all events, may We
not agree that the sooner the better?
1t is not claimed that tho election has
imposed duty on members to change
their views or their votes, any further
than, as an additional element to be con-
sidered, their judgment may be affected BY
it. 1t is the voice Of the people, now for
the first time heard upon the question.
10 great national crisis like ours, una.
nimity of action among those seeking a
common end, is very desirable, almost in.
dispeDsible, and yet no approach to such
unanimity is attaiuable unless some defer
erce 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
maintainence of the Union, and among
the means to secure that end, such will,