Weekly Trinity journal., 1864-12-17

At the last session of Congress proposed
amendment of the Constitution abolishinq slave
rv throughout the United States passed the Sem
ate but failed for lack of the requisite two
thirds vote in the House of Representatives
Although the present is the same Congress. with
nearly the same members, without questioning
the wisdom or patriotism Of those who stood in
opposition, venture to recommend the passage
of the measure at the present session. of course
the abstract question is not changed by an inter-
yening election, but it has almost certainly in
Dictated that the next Congress will pass the
measure if this does not. Hence there is only
question of time as to when the proposed amend
ment will go to the States for their action; and
as It is to go at all events, may we not agree that
the sooner the better? 1t is not claimed that the
election has imposed duty on members to
change their views votes any further than, as
an additional element to be considered, their
judgment may be affected by it. 1t is the voice
of the people, now for the first time heard on the
question. In great national crisis like ours
unanimity of action among those seeking a COM
mon end is very desirable almost indispensable.
and yet no approach to such unanimity is at all
possible unless some Difference shall be paid to
the will of the ma Ority. simply because it is the
will of the majority. The common end is the
maintenance of the Union, and among the means
to secure that end, such will, through the cleo
tion has most clearly declared in favor of such
constitutional amendment.
SENTIMENT OF THE PEOPLE.
The most reliable indication of public purpose
in this country is derived through popular
elections. Judging from the recent canvass and
its results, the purpose of the people within the
loyal States to maintain the integrity of the
Union was never more firm more nearly
unanimous than now. The extraordinary calm
ness and good order with which the millions Of
voters met and mingled at the polls, gave strong
assurance of this fact Not only those who sup
ported the Union ticket, so-calicd, but great
majority of the opposing party also may be fair
ly claimed to be actuated by the same purpose
1t is an unanswerabe argument, that no candi-
date for any Office whatever, high or low, has
ventured to seek votes on the avowa that he
was for giving up the Union. There has been
much impugning of motive, and much heated
controversy to the proper means and best
mode of advancing the Union cause but on the
distinct issue Of Union or no Union the politi-
clans have shown their knowledge that there is
no division among the people in awarding the
people the fair opportunity of showing one to
another and to the world this frmness and una
nimty of purpose. 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 we do not approach ex-
haustion in the most important branch Of the
national resources, that Of living men. While
many graves and caused mourning to many
homes, it is some relief to know that compared
with the surviving, the fallen have been so few.
While corps divisions, brigades and regiments,
have formed, and fought, and bled, and gone out
of existence, Il great majority of the men who
comprised them still living. The same is
true of the naval service. The election returns
proves this. SO many votes could not else be
found. The States regularly holding elections,
both now and four years ago, to-wlt: California,
Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kentucky Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,, Min
nesota, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire New
Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, West Virginia and Wisconsin, cast
3,982,0ll votes now, against 3,SIo,222 cast
thcn-shOwing an aggregate now of 3,39S, Sll,
to which is to be added 80, 1872 votes cast now in
the new States of Kansas and Neyada-WhCh
States did not vote in lS60-thus swelling the
aggregate to 1915, 775, and the net increase du-
ring the three years and half of war to Is, ISL
\ table is appended showing particulars To
this again should be added the number of all the
soldiers in the field from Massachusetts, Rhode
Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Indiana Illinois,
and California, who, by the laws OF those States,
could not vote away from their homes, which
number cannot be less than 90, 900. Nor yet is
this all. The number in the organized Terrific
rcs is triple what it four years ago. while
thousands of white and black join us as the ma
tlOnaI AIMS push DdCh the IESulReuL lllcS. 90
much is shown atiirmatively and negatively by
the election 1t is not material to inquire how
the increase has been produced, or show that it
would have been greater but for the war, which
is probably true.
THE CAUSE OF THE UNION.
The important fact remains demonstrated that
we have more men now than when the war be-
gan that we are not exhausted, nor in process
of exhaustion that we gaining strength, and
lo 4 ,ac ,,loE
w. This as to men. Our material resources are
now more complete and abundant than ever.
The national resources, then, are uneXhaustcd,
and as We believe, uneXhaustibe. The public
purpose to re-establish and maintain the national
authority is unchanged, and. we believe
changable. The manner of continuing the eff
forts il remains to choose.
On careful consideration of all the evidence
accessible, it seems to me that no attempt at ne
gotiation with the insurgent leader could result
in any good. lie would accept of nothing short
of the separation Of the Union. His declarations
to that effect explicit and oft repeated He
does not attempt to deceive he affords
excuse to deceive ourselves. We cannot volun-
tarily yield. Between him and the issue is
distinct, simple and infexible. 1t is issue
which can only be tried by war and decided by
victory If we yield we are beaten. If the
Southern people gain it, he s beaten. Either
way would be victory and defeat following war.
What is true, however. OF him who heads the
insurgept cause. is not necessarily true of those
who follow. Although he cannot re-accept the
Union, they can. Some of them, we know, al
ready desire peace and reunion. The number
of such may increase. They can, at any mo-
ment, have peace simply by laying down their
and submitting to the national authorities
and the Constitution. After so much, the Gov
ernmcnt could not. if it would, maintain war
against them. The loyal people would not sus
tain or allow it If questions should remain.
would adjust them by the peaceful means of leg
islation, conferences, and votes, operating
only in constitutional and lawful channels Some
certain and other possible questions are, and
would be, beyond the Executive power to adjust.
For instance, the admission of members into
Congress, and whatever might require the appro-
priation of money. The Executive power itself
would be greatly diminished by the cessation of
actual war Pardons and remissons of forfeit
pres, however, would still be within Executive
control. in what spirit and temper this control
would be exercised can be fairly judged by the
past A year ago ageneral pardon and amnesty.
on specified terms, were offered to all except
certain designated class. and it was at the same
lime made known that the excepted classes were