American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-12-14

day of June last, the names of 1910
invalid soldiers, and 27l disabled seamen,
making the present number of army in
valid pensions 22,767; and of the navy
invalid pensions 712 OF widows, or
phans and mothers, %, ,198 have been
placed on the army pension rolls, and 24S
on the navy rolls. The number of army
pensioners of this class is %, ,433, and Of
the navy pensioners 795.
AT the beginning of the yearthe num-
Der ofrevolutionary pensioners was ,480.
Only twelve of them were soldiers, Of
whom seven have since died The re-
mainder are those who under the law re-
ceive pensions because Of relationship to
revolutionary soldiers. During the year
ending the 30th of June, 1864, $780,
4Gl ,692 have been paid to pensioners of
all classes.
| cheerfully commend to your oontin-
ued patronage, the benevolent institutions
of the District of Columbia, which have
hitherto been established OF fostered by
Congress, and respectfully refer, for ia-
formation concerning them, and in rela-
tion to the w ashington aqueduot, the
Capitol aud other matters Of local inter
est, to the report Of the Secretary.
The Agricultural Departments under
the supervision Of its present energetic
and faithful head, is rapidly commencing
itself to the great and vital interest it was
created to advance. 1t is peculiarly the
peoples Department, in which they feel
more directly concerned than in any 9th
er. | commend it to the continued at
tention and fostering care Of Con
gress.
The war continues Since the last an
nual message, all the important lines aud
positions then occupied by our forces have
been maintgined and our armies have
steadily advanced, thus libsrating the ro-
gions left in their rear, SO that Missouri,
Kentucky, Tennessee aud parts Of other
States, have again produced reasonably
fair crops.
The most remarkable feature in the
military operations Of the year is GeRer-
al Sherman's attempted march of three
hundred miles directly through the in
surgent region. Ii tends to show great
increase Of our relative strength, that our
General-in- Chief should feel able to con-
front and hold in check every active force
of the enemy, AMI yet to detach we'll
appointed large army to move on such an
expedition The result not yet being
known, conjecture in regard to is not here
INDUCED. Important movements have
also occurred during the year, to the Of
feet Of moulding society for durability in
the Union. Although short Of complete
success, it is much in tho right direction,
that twelve thousand citizens in each one
of the states Of Arkansas and louisiana
have organized local State Governments
with free constitutions, and are earnestly
struggling to maintain and administer
them. The movement in the same dlrec-
ton is more extensive, though less def
mite, in Missouri, Kentucky and Tennes-
see should not be overlooked but Mary
land presents the example Of complete
success; and Maryland is secure to liber-
ty and the Union for all the future
The genius of rebellion will no more claim
Maryland Like another foul spirit, be-
ing driven out, it may seek to tear her,
but it will WOO her no more.
At the last session of Congress, pro-
posed amendment Of the Constitution,
abolishing slavery 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, without ques-
tioning the wisdom or patriotism Of those
who stood in opposition, | venture to rec
ommend 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 Con
gress will pass the measure, if this does
not. Hence there is only question of
time as to when the proposed amendment
will 90 to the States for their action; and
as it is to so go at all events, may We not
agree that the sooner the better. 1t is
not claimed that the election has imposed
a 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 1t. 1t is the
voice Of the people now for the first time
heard upon the question In great ma
tional crisis like ours, unanimity of action
| amoro those seeking a common end is