Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-15

those who stood in opposition, 1 venture to re- commend 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 Congress will pass the measure, ii tbis does not. Hence, there is only ques- ton Of time as 10 when the proposed amend ment will go to the States for their action, and as It is 10 go at all events, may we not agree that the sooner the better?
 THE ELECTION
 It is not claimed that the election has inn posed duty on members 10 change their views or their votes, any further than an additional element to be considered their judgment may be affected by it. It is the voice of the people, now for the first time heard upon the question. In great national crisis like ours, unanimity Of action among those seeking common end is very desirable, and almost indispensable and yet no approach to such unanimiiy is at, tain.ble. unless some deference shall be paid to the will of the majority. simply because it is the will of the majority. In this case, the common end is the maintenance of the Union. and among the means to secure that end. such will, through the election, is most clearly de- clared in favor of such constitutional amend ment.
 The most reliable indication of public pur- pose in this country is derived. through our popular elections. Judging by the recent can yass and It's results, the purpose of the people within the loyal States to maintain the integri- ty of the Union was never more firm, nor more nearly unanimous than now. The exlrnordi- nary calmness 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, 80 call ed, but great maj jority of the opposing party also may be fairly claimed to entertain and to be acuated by tue same purpose. It is an un- answeraole argument to this effect that no candidate for any office whatever, high or low, has ventured 10 seek the votes on the ayowal that he was for giving up the Union. There has been much iinpugning of motives, and much heated controversy as to the proper m cans and best mode of advancing the Union cause, but ou the distinct issue of Union or no Union, the politicians have shown their in- stinctive knowlege that there is no diversity among the people. h affording the people the fair opportunity of showing one to her and 10 the world their hrmness and unanimity of purpose, the election has been of vast value to the national cause.
 THE NATION NOT EXHAUSTED.
 The election has exhibited another fact not less valuable 10 be kuown, the fact that we do not approach exhaustion In the most lmpor- tant branch of nationa, resources, that of liv- ing men. While it is melancholy to reflect that the war has filled So many graves, and carried mourning 10 so many hearts. it is some relief to know that compared with the survi- viug, the fallen have been 20 few. While corps, aud divisions, and brigades d reglmt nt , have formed and fous sht, and dwinIl,d and gone out of existence, great majority of u @ men who composed them are still living. The same is true of the naval service The election returns prove this. So many voters could not else be xound. The States regularly holding elections, both now and four years ago. to wit, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iu-. diana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nils sour, New Hampshire. New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode IsianI, We mont, West Virginia, and Wis consn, cast 3,982,0l1 votes now, against 3.S1D,22 cast then. showing an aggre- gate now of 33,e8.0i1 To which is 10 be added 33. 762 cast now in the new States of Kansas and Nevada, which States did not vote in 1860, thus swelling the aggregate to 4,Ol5, 773, and the net increase during the three years and half of war to I45, ,75l