North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-12-14


CEN suERMAN's ADVANCE.
The most remarkable feature in the miii
,ary operations of the year, is General Sher-
mans attempted march of three hundred
miles directly through the insurgent region
It tends 10 show great increase of our rel
alive strength, that our general in chief should
feel able to confront and hold in check every
active force Of the enemy, and yet to detach
we'll appointed large army TO move on such
an expedition. The result not yet being
kpegn, cor lecture in regard to IL Is hot mere
iudulged. Important movements have also
occurred during the year to the effect OF
moulding society for durability in the Union
although short Of complete success; it is so
much in the right direction that twelve thou
sand citizens in each Of the States of A:ka n
sas and Louisiana have organized loyal state
governments with free constitutions. and are
earnestly struggling to maintain and admins
ter them.
The movemsnt in the same direction, more
extensive though less definite III Missouri:
Kentucky, and Tennessee, should not be
overlooked.
MARYLAND.
But Maryland presents the example OF
complete success. Maryland is secnre to
liberty and Union for all the future. The
genius of rebellion will no more claim Mary
land, Like another foul spirit, being driven
out, it may seek to tear her, but it will WOO
her no more.
THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY.
At the last session of Congress proposed
amendment of the Constitution abolishing
slavery throughout the United States, passed
the Senate but failed for lack of the requi-
site two thirds vote in the House of Repre-
sentatives. Although the present is the
same Congress, and nearly the same mem
bers, and without questioning the wisdom or
patriotism of those who stood in opposition
I venture 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 certainty 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 60 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. Il is not claimed that the
election has imposed duty on members to
change their view or their votes any further
than as an additional element to be consider
cd as their judgment may be affected by it.
II is the voice of the people, now for the fcst
time heard upon the question. In great
national crisis like ours, unanimity of action
among those seeking common end is very
desirsble, almost indispensable, and yet no
approach to such unanimty is attainable
unless some Difference shall be paid 90 the
will ofthe majority, simply because it's the
will If the IN majority.
THE RECENT ELECTION.
In this case, the common end is the main
tenance of the Union, and among the means
10 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 ia derived through our popular elec
tions. Judging by the recent canvass 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 extraordi
nary camness and good order with which
the millions Of voters met and mingled at
the polls, give strong assurance Of this. Not
only all those who supported the "union
ticket" ESQ called) but great majority of
the opposing party also may be fairly claimed
TO entertain and to be astuated by the same
purpose. 1t is an unanswerable argument to
this effect, that 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 i'm
pugning of motives aud much heated contro
versy TO the proper means and best mode
Of advancing the Union cause, but in the
distinct issue of Union or III Union, the poll
ticians have shown their instructive knowI
edge that there is no diversity among the
people. In affording the people the fair
opportunity of showing one to another, and to
the world, this frnness and unanimity Of
purpose, the election has been of vast value
to the national cause. The election has ex
hibited another fact not less valuable to he
known, the fact that we do nos approach
exhaustion in the most important branch Of
the nat ional resources-that of living men
While it is melancholy to reflect that the
var has filed so many graves and carried
mourning to SO many hearts, it is some re.
lief to know that. compared with the surviv-
ing, the fallen haze been so few. While
corps and divisions and brgades and regis
ments have formed aad fought and dwindled
and gone out of ofexistence, great majority of
the men who comnosed Thorn .ra stilI I;r,n,x