The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-12-21

rolls, during the year ending the Both of
June last. the names of 1910 invalid
soldiers, and of27l disabled seamen, max
ing the presant number of army invalid
pensioners 22,767 ,,apd of navy invalid
pensioners 712. Of widows, orphans,
and mothers, 50 ,998 have been placed on
the army pension rolls, and 24S of this
class on the navy rolls. The present
number of army pensioners OF this class
is 20 0,4S3, and of Davy pensioners 702.-I
AT the beginning of the year the number
of Revolutionary pensioners vas l,430;
snly twelve of them were soldiers, of
whom seven hare since died. The re-
mainder are those, who, under the laws,
receive pensions because of relationship to
Revolutionary soldiers.
During the year ending Both of June,
1864. S4.504,6l6 ,92 have been paid to
pensioners of all classes.
ss- PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
I che.rfully commend to your contin.
ued patronage the benevolent institutions
Of the District of Columbia, which h:ve
hitherto been established or fustered ty
Congress, and respectfully J refer, for lntor-
NATION concerning them and in relation
70 the Washington acqueduct, the Capi.
tel and other matters of local interest, to
the report of the Secretary.
The Agricultural Department, under
the supervision Of its present energetic
and faithful head, is rapidly commencing
itself to the great and vrtal interests 1t
was created to advance. 1t is peculiarly
the Peoples Department, IN which they
feel more directly concerned than in apy
other. | commend it for the fostering
care Of Congress
.a- RESULTS OF THE WAR.
The war continues. Since the last an,
nual message, all the important lines and
positions then occupied by our forces
have peen maintained, and our arms have
been steadily advanced, thus libetaiing
the regions left n the rear; So that Miss
ouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and parts of
other States, have again produced reason
ably fair crops.
The most remarkable feature in the
military operations Of the year is General
Sherman attempted march Of three hun.
dred miles directly through the insurgent
region 1t teuds TO show great inc ease
of our relative strength thar cur General
iu-Chief should feel able to confront aud
hold in check every active force of the en-
cmy and yet detach a we'll appointed large
army to Yove on such an expedition. The
result not yet being knowh, conjecture III
regard to it is not here inGul gcd.
Important movements have also occur
ed duriug the year to the effect of mould
ing society for the durability of The Union
Although short Of complete success, it is
mnch in :he right direction that twelve
thousand citizens in each of the States
Arkansas and Louisiana have organized
local State Governments with free Con>Ii
tutions. and are earnestly struggling L
maintain and administer them. TIL,
movements in the same direction NOR
extensive, though less definite, in Nilsson
ri, Kentucky, and Tennessee should no
be overlooked but Maryland present.
the example of complete success Mary
land is secure to liberty and unien 70
all the future. The Genius OF Rebellion
will no more claim Maryland. Like an
other foul spirit, being driven out it ma
seek to tear her, but it. will woe her n
more
AT the last session of Congress pro
posed amendment to the Constitution
abolishing slavery throughout the Unite
States, passed the Senate but failed 70
want of the requisite two,thirdS vote il
the House of Representatives. Althoug
the present is the same Congress an
nearly the same members, and withou
questioning the wisdom or patriotism Q
shote who stood In opposition, | ventur
10 recomend the reconsideration aud pas
sage of the measure at the present session
OF course, the abstract question is no
changed, but al intervening election
shows almost certainly that the next Con
gress will pass the measure if this doe
not. neuee, there is only a question q
time as to when the proposed amendmen
will 60 to the States ior their action, aud
ms it is to 90 at all events, may we no
agree that the sooner the better? 1t i
not claimed that the election has impose,
duty on members to change their view
or their votes any fnrther than as an ad
ditional element to be considered, thel
judgment may be cfeeted by it 1t il
TIE voice of the people, now for the frs
time heard. npou the question. IL grea
national crisis, like ours, unanlmity c
tion among those seeking common
end is very desirable, almost indispensable
and yet no appearance to such unanimii,
is attaiuabe unless some Difference shal