The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-12-14
WHOLE NO. 426.

WHOLE NO. 426.
crops. The most remarkable feature in the
military operations Of the year is Gen.
Sherman's attempted march of 800 miles,
directly through the insurgent region. 1t
tends to show great increase Of our re-
lative strength, that our General in. Chief
should be able to confront and hold in
check every active force of the enemy, and
yet to de,ach we'll appointed large army
to move on such an expedition; the result
not being known, conjecture in regard to
it is not here INDUCED in.
Important movements have also occurred
during the year, to the effect Of moulding
society for durability in the Union. AL.
though short Of complete success, it is so
much in the right direction that $4,000
citizens in each of the States of Arkansas
and Louisiana have organized loyal State
Governments with free constitutions, and
are earnestly struggling to maintain and
administer them. The movement in the
same direction, more extensive though less
de6nate, in Missouri, Kentucky and Ten
| nessee should not be overlooked. But
Maryland presents the example of complete
success. Maryland is secure to Liberty
| and Union for the future. The genius Of
rebellion will no more claim Maryland
Like another foul spirit being 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 third vote in the
House Of Representatives. Although the
! present is the same Congress and nearly the
| same members, without questioning the
ws lom or patriotism Of those VIII stood in
opposition, I venture to recommend the re.
consideration and the passage Of the measure
at the present session. OF course the ab-
stract question is not changed. but ar in.
that the next Congress will pass the meas
ure if this does not. Hence, there is only
| a question Of time as to when the propos-
ed amendment will 60 to the States for
their action, and as it is to 60 SO at all
events, We may agree that the sooner the
better. 1t is not claimed that the election
| has imposed duty on the members to
change their views or their votes, any fur
,her than an additional element to be con-
sidercd. Their judgment. may be affected
by it. 1t is the voice Of the people now
for the first time heard upon the question.
In a great national crisis like ours, unani.
nifty Of action among those seeking com.
mon end is very desirable almost indis.
pensible, and yet no approach to such
unanimy is attainable unless some defer
ence shall be paid to the will of the major.
ity-simply because it is the will Of the
majority. g,
In this case the common end is the main
tenancc of the Union, and among the means
to secure that end, such will, through the
election, is most clearly declared in favor
of such constitutional amendment, the
most reliable indication Of public purpose
in this country is dirived through our pop
ular elections Judging by the recent can.
vass and its result, the purpose of the
people within the loyal States to maintain
the integrity Of the Union was never more
firm nor more nearly unanimous than now.
The extraordinary calmness and good or.
der with which the millions Of voters met
and mingled at tn. polls gave strong assur
ance of this. Not only those who support
ed the Union ticket, so called, but grea
maj 'rity Of the opposing party also, may
be fairly claimed to entertain and to bs
actuated by the same purpose. 1t is ar
unanswerable argument to this etfact, ,ha
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 mo
tives, and much heated controversy, as t
the proper means and best mode Of advan
cling the Union cause, but in the distinc
issue Of Union OF no Union the politician:
have shown their instructive knowledge tha
there is no diversity among the people
. In awarding the people the fair opportunit,
Of showing one to another and to the worlt
this firmness and unanimity Of purpose
the election has been of vast value to tn
national cause -.. o...,.
The election has exhibited another fact
: not less valuable to be known-the fact tha
5 we 90 not approach exhaustion in the mos
I impol tanl branch Of the national resources
5 that of living men. Whileit is melanchol,
:, to reflect that the war has filled SO man,
l graves, and caused mourning to so man,
homes, it is some relief to know, that, com
! pared with the surviving. the fallen hav
e been so few. Whole Corps, and Divisions
/, and 3rigades, and Regiments, have form
: ed, and fought, and dwindled, and gone ou
: of existence.
e A great majority OF the men who com
# posed them are still living. The same
b true CT theuaval service. The election re
o turns prove this so. SO many voters coul
J. not else be found. 3@aaH l2E'3 y#
e The States regularly holding elections
: both now and four years ago, to wit: Cal
e fornia, Connecticut, Delaware. Illinois, Ir
S diana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland
e Massachusetts,, Michigan, Minnesota, Mis-
souri, New Hampshire. New Jersey, Ne,
S York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhod
e Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wis
s consin, cast 3,928, oil votes now, agains
d 3.s7O.222 then, showing an aggregate not
S of 3.39S,2l to which is to be added 33
:, 7G2 cast now in the new States Of Kansa
and Nevada, which States did not vote i
n 1860: thus swelling the aggregate to ,075
y 773, and the net increase during the thre
d years and half Of war to l45.7ol
J., table is appended showing particulars. 7
y this again should be added the number {
II all the soldiers in the field from Massachu
5, setts Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delawar,
n Indiana and California, who by the law
Q those states could not vote away from the
r homes, and which number cannot be les
}, than 10000. Nor yet is this all. Th
e number in organized territories is trif
, now what it was fou, years ago, Will
2 thousands of both white and black join U
'e as the national arms press back the insu
), gent lines. So much is shown affirmatiy,
'e " and negatively by the election. 1t
not material to inquire how the increase hs
|. haen nrnd1cei or To Shew that IL wnn]