The Shasta courier., 1864-12-17
SHASTA COURIER.
Presidents Message.

-~@~Ss
parts, commencing the straightforward
statements and reasoning to our readers with
out comment further that to say it suits US;
SENTIMENT AND STRENGTH OF THE PEOPLE.
The most reliable indication of public pur-
pose in this country is derived through our
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 nrhi LII,
nor more nearly unanimous than now. ine
extraordinary ealmness and good orde. WIN
which the millions of voters met ana mingled
at the polls, gave strong assurance OF tnis
fact Not only those who supported the un-
ion ticket, so-called, but great majority OF
the opposing party also may be fairiy claim
ed to be actuated by the same purpose. It's
an unanswerable argument, that no candi
date for any Office whatever, high or low, has
yentured to seek votes on the avowal that he
was for giving up the Union. There has
been much impugning of motive. and much
heated controversy as to the proper means
and best mode of advancing the Union cause
but on the distinct issue of Union or no Un-
ion, the politicians have shown their knowl-
edge that there is no division among the peo
pie in awarding the people fair opportunity
of showing one to another and to the world
this frmness and unanimity of purpose. The
election has been of vast value to the Nation
al cause. The election has exhibited another
fact not less valuable to be known-the fact
that we do not approach exhaustion in the
most important branch of the national re-
sources, that of living men. While it is mel
ancholy 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
80 few. While corps. divisions, brigades and
regiments, have formed, and fought, and bled
and gone out of existence, e. eat majority OF
the men who comprised them are still living.
The same is true Of the naval service. The
election returns prove this.
AMNEsrrEs-wHEN THE WAR WILL END.
The important fact remains demonstrated
that we have more men now than when war
began that We are not exhausted, nor in the
process of exhaustion that we are gaining
strength, and may, if need be, maintain the
contest indefinitely. This as to men. Our
material resources are now more complete
and abundant than ever. The national re-
sources them are unexhausted, and, as we
believe inexhaustible. The public purpose
to re- establish and d..maintain the national au-
thority is unchanged, and. we believe, un-
changeable. The manner of continuing the
efforts it remains to choose.
On careful consideration of all the evidence
accessible it seem to me that no attempt at
negotiation with the insurgent leader could
result in any good. He would accept of
nothing short of the separation of the Union.
His declarations to that effect are explicit
and oft repeated. He does not attempt to
4 H.. 4
ourselves. We cannot voluntarily Weld.
Between him and us the issueis distinct, sim
pile and infexible. 1t is IN 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 is beaten. Either way
would be victory and defeat following war.
What is true however, of him who heads the
insurgent cause, is not necessarily true of
those who follow. Although he cannot re
accept the Union, they can. Some of them,
we know. already desire peace and reunion.
The number of such may increase. They
can, at any moment, have peace simply bv
laying down their arms and submitting to
the national authorities and the Constitution
After so much, the Government could not,
If it would, maintain war against them. The
loyal people would not sustain or allow it. If
questions should remain we would adjust
them by the peaceful means Of legislation
conferences, Courts and votes. operating only
in constitutional and lawful channels. Some
certain and other possible questions are, and
would be, beyond the Executive to power ad
just. For instance, the admission of mem.
bers into Congress, and whatever might re-
quire the appIo Iopriation of money. The Ex-
ecutive power itself would be Igreatly dimin-
ished by the cessation of actual war Par
dons and remissions of forfeitures, 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 general pardon and amnesty
on specified terms, were offered to all except
certain designated class, and it was at the
same time made known that the excepted
classes were still withincontemplation of spe--
cial clemency- During the year MANY avail.
ed themselves of the general provision and
many more would, only that signs of bad
faith in some led to such precautionary meas
ures as rendered the practical process less
easy and certain. During the same time.
also, special pardons have been granted to in,
divlduals OF the excepted classes and no vol
untary application has been denied when
practically made;the door has for fully year
been open to all such as were not in a condi.
tion to make free choice-that is. such as
were in custody or under constraint. 1t is
still open to ALL but the time may come, and
probably will come, when the public duty
shall demand that it be closed, and that in
lieu thereof, more vigorous measures than
heretofore shall be adopted. In presenting
the abandonment of armed resistance 10 the
national authorities on the part of the insur-
gents as the only indispensable condition to
ending the war on the part of the Govern
ment, retract nothing heretofore said as to
slavery. | repeat the declaration, made
year ago, that while remain in my present
position shall not attempt to retract or mo-
dify the Emancipation Proclamation. nor
shall | return to slavery any person who is
free by the terms of that Proclamation or bv
any of the Acts of Congress If the people
should, by whatever mode or means. make
it my executive duty to reclaim such nersons
anothersand not | must be their instrument
to perform it. In stating single condition
of peace, mean simply to say that the war
will cease on the part of the Government
whenever it shall have ceased on the mart of
those who began it.
Eosr AND FouNp.-Captain Mellen. Com.
manding at Fort Crook, has written to the
Coroner here that some two years since SOL
dier was missed from the fort, and searched
for without success. The Captain is now