Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-12-08

left in the rear, so that Missouri, Kentucky,
Tennessee, and parts of other States, have
again produced reasonably fair crops. The
most remarkable feature In the military OPP
erations of the year Is Gen. Shermai's at
tempted march Of 800 miles directly
through the insurgent region. 1t tends to
show great increase OF our relative
strength, that our General-in- Chief
should feel able to hold In cheek every ac-
tive force of the enemy, and yet to detach
well supported large army TO move ON such
an expedition. The result not yet being
known, conjecture in regard to it is not
here indulged. Important movements have
also occurred during the year, to the effect
of moulding society for durability in the
Union. Although short of complete sue
cess, it Is SO much in the right direction
that twelve thousand citizens in each of the
States of Arkansas and Louisiana have Or
ganized loyal State Governments with free
Constitutions, and are earnestly struggling
to maintain and administer them. The
movement In the same direction, more eX-
tcnsive 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 and union for all the flu
ture. 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. 3D.. ...rt.r,.
At the last session of Congress proposed
amendment of the Constitution abolishing
slavery throughout the United States pass
ed the Senate, but failed Tor lack of the re-
uuiste two thirds vote in the House of Rep
-resentatives. Although the present is the
same Congress and nearly the same mem
bers, without questioning the wisdom or
patriotism of those who stood in opposition,
1venture to recommend 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-
gresswill pass the measure, If this does not.
Hence there is only question of time as to
when the proposed amendment will go to
the States for their action. And as 1t Is to
so 90 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 addi-
| tional element to be considered, their judg-
ment 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, unanimity of action among
those seeking q common end, is very desir-
able-amost indispensable and yet, no
approach TO such unanimity is attainable,
unless some Difference shall be paid to the
will of the majority, simply becauseit is the
will of the majority.
In this case, the common end is the main
tenance 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 derived through our
popular elections. Judging by the recent
canvass of 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 order
with which the millions of voters met and
mingled at the polls. gave strong assurance
of this. Not only all those who supported
the Union ticket, so called, but u great ma
jority of the opposing party, also, may be
fairly claimed to entertain, and to be actu-
ated by, the same purposes. 1t is an un-
answeiable argument to this effect, that no
candidate for any office whatever high or
low, has yenturcd 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 to
the proper means and best mode of advan-
cling the Union cause; but in the distinct
issue of Union or no Union, the politicians
have shown by their instructive knowledge
that there is no diversity among hepeople.
In awarding the people the fair opportunity
of showing, one to another, and to the
world, this tirmness and unanimity of pur-
pose, the election has been of vast value to
the national cause. .
The election has exhibited another fact,
not less valuable to be known; the fact that
oh, -l,,,t lon, In
important branch of national resources
that of levying men. While it is melancholy
to reflect that the war has filled so many
graves. and caused mourning to so many
homes, it is some relief to know that COM
pared with the surviving, the fallen have
been so few. Whole corps, and divisions,
and brigades, and regiments, have form
ed and fought, and dwindling and have
gone out of existence. A great majori-
| ty of the men who comprised them are
still living. The same Is true of the ma
val service. The election returns prove
this. So many voters could not else be
found. The States regularly holding cleo
tions both now and four years ago, to wit !:
California, Connecticut, Delaware. Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts,, Michigan, Missouri. New
York, Ohio, Oregon. Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, Vermont, Western Virginia, and
Wisconsin, cast 3,9S20l1 votes now, against
$3.50, ,222 cast then; showing an aggregate
now of 3,39S,2ll, to which is to be added
80, 762 cast now, in the new States OF Kan
sas and Nevada, which States did not vote
in 1860; thus swelling the aggregate to
4075,773, and the net increase during the
three years and half of war, to 145,75l.-
| A table is appended, showing particulars.
To this again should be added the number
OF all voters in the field, from Massachu-
sets, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware,
Indiana, Illinois and California, who, by
the laws of those States, could not vote
away from their homes, and which number
cannot be less than ninety thousand. Nor
vet is this all. The number in organized
Territories Is triple now what it was four
years ago; while thousands, white and
black, Join us as the national arms press
back the insurgent lines. So much is shown,
aflirmatively and negatively, by the cleo
tion. 1t is not material to inquire how the
increase has been produced, or to show that
it would have been greater, but for thewar,
which is probably true. The important
fact remains demonstrated, that we have
more men now than we had when the war
began; that we are not exhausted, nor in
process of exhaustion; that we are gaining
strength, and may, if need be, maintain the
contest indefinitely. This strength as to
men, material and resources, is now more
complete and abundant than ever. The ma
tional resources, then, are uneXhausted,
and, as we believe, ineXhaustible. The
public purpose to re-establish and maintain
| the national authority is unchanged: and,