Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-12-10
sYNoPsrs OF
The Presidents Message.


The condition of our foreign affairs is
reasonably satisfactory.
Mexico continues to bo theatre OF civil
war. While our political relations with
that country have undergone no charge,
we have at the same time strictly main
tanned q neutrality between the belI'ger.
eDt3.
At the re quests of,the States Of Costa
Rica and Nicaragua, q competent ongn-
eer has been authorized to make survey
of the river San Juan and the port of San
Juan.
1t is source Of much satisfaction that
the difficulties which for moment excited
some political apprchcnsions, and caused a
closing of the iuDor oceanic route, have
been amiably adjusted, and that there is q
good prospect that the route will soon be
reopened with an increase Of capacity. and
adaptation. We could not cxaggerste Ell
ther the commercial or the political i'm
portancs Of that great improvement.
/ 1t would be doing injustice 10 an impor-
tant South America State not to acknowl-
edge the directness, franknoss, and eordi,
ality with which the United Ststes OF Col
umbia have entered into intimate relations
with this Government. a Claims Con-
vention has been constituted to complete
the unfinished work Of che one which clos
cd its session in 1861.
The new liberal Constitution Of VenezuIa
having gone into effect with the universal
acquaintance OF the people, the Govern'
ment under ii has been recognized, and
diplomatic intercourse has been opened
with it in a cordial aud friendly spirit
The lopg-deferred Arrests and claim has
been satisfactorily paid and discharged
Mutual payments have been made Of the
claims awarded by the late joint commits
sion for the settlement Of claims belween
the United States and Peru.
/ An earnest and cordial friendship con.
tinues to exist between the two count ries,
aud such Efforts as were in my power have
been used to remove Misunderstanding
and avert "A threatened war between Peru
and Spain. Our relations are of the most
friendly nature with Chill. the Argentine
Republic, Bolivia, Rica, Paraguay, San
Sa vGdos, and Hayti.
During the past year no differences Of
any kind have arisen with any of those
Republics, and on the other hand their
, sympathies with the United States are
constantly expressed with cordiaIity sag
earnestness.
The claims arising from the seizure of
the cargo of the brig Mace ionis, in 1921,
have been paid in full by the overumcnt
of Chilli.
Civil war continues in ;he Spanish part
Of San Domingo, apparently without pros
lect of an early close.
Official correspondence has been freely
| opened with iberia, and it gives Us u
p ea,ingv ew of social and poltica progress
in that republic. ltmay be expected to
derl We new vigor and American influence,
improved by ths rapid disappearance OF
slavery in the United States.
THE WAR, &c.
The war continues. Since the la.t an
nual Message all the important liues aud
positions then occupied by cur forces have
! been malutatued, and our armies have
steadily advanced, thus liberatipg tbs
regions left in the ear, so that Missouri
Kentucky, Tennessee, and part, Of other
States have again produced reasonable
fair ccops,
The most remarkable feature in the mil
ltary or erations of the year is Gen. Shey
mans attempted march of 800 miles di-
rectl through the insurgent region. !,
tends 10 show great increase of our rela
tive strength that our General-in G bic
should feel able to confront and hold ir
check every active force Of the enemy aud
yet to detack well appointed large army
to move on such an expedition. The re-
suit not yet being known. conjecture in re
gard to is not here INDUCED
Important movements have also occur.
red during the year to the effect of mould
ing society FOR durability in the Union -
Although short of copp,cte success, it j.
much in the right direction. that l!OOl
citizens in each of the States of Ark 1usat
and Louisiana have organized loyal State
governments with free constitutions, ant
are earnestly struggling to maintain aut
administer them.
The movement in the same direction
moro extensive, though less dcinaie, il
Missouri Kentucky, aud Tenne ,shoulc
not be overlooked.
But Maryland presents the example o
complete success. Maryland is secure t.
liberty and Union for all the future. Th
) genius Of rebellion will no more CLAIM
: Maryland. Like another foul sprt being
, driven out, it may seek TO tear her, but
will woe her no moro. A! the last Sc siol
of CongteOO proposed amendment of th
Constitution abolishipg slavery throughou
) the United States passed the Senate, bu
failed for lack of the requisite two.lhr,
. vote i'll the House of Representatives. al
though the present is the same Congress
and nearly the same members, and with
out questioning the wisdom aud patriotism
: Of those who stood in opposition l ven
tGre to recommend the reconsideration
and passage as the measure at the preseu
n session. Of course the abstract questo
H.. is not changed, but an Intervening eleeto
Y shows almost certainly that the next Con