The weekly union record., 1864-12-17
to them the attention Of Congress is invited,

to them the attention Of Congress is invited.
TEE PENSION system.
The liberal pensions to the invalid soldiers
and sailors Of the republic asd to the wives
orphans and dependent mothers Of those who
bare fallen 10 battle or died Of diease contracted
OF wounds received 10 the service Of their cuun-
try, have been diligently administered There
have been admitted to the peusien rolls during
the year ending the 30th day of June last. the
names of 1910 invalid soldiers, and 21l0 dis
sbled seamen-making toe present number of
| army invalid pensioners 22,761, and Of navy
invalid pensioners al2- or widows, orphsus
aud mothers, 22,l9S have been placed on the
army pension rolls, and 24S on the navy rolls.
The present number OF army pensioners OF this
class Is >, ,433. aud OF the navy pensioners 1913.
Al The begin0ing Of the year, the number OF
Revolutionary pensioners was ,s30. Or4ly
twelve of them were soldiers, OF whom eight
have since died. The remainder are those
who, under the law, receive pensions because
of relationship to Revolutionary soldiers. Du-
ring the year eudiug 30ih June 1864. S4 4.5o4,
1852 have been paid 10 pensioners Of all
classes.
DISTRICT OF coNUNBIA
cheerfully commend to your continued pat
ronage the beuevo olent institutions of the Dis
trict o. Columbia, which have hitherto been
established or fostered by Congress and respect
fully refer for information concerning them. aud
in relation to the Washington Aqueduct, the
Capitol and other matters Of local interest, to
the report Of The city authorities.
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
The Agricultural Department, under the
supervision of lis present energetic head, is
rapidly commencing itself to the grea, and vital
interest i, was created 10 advance. 1t is pecu-
lisrly the peoples department. in which they
feel more directly concerned than in any other
commend it TO the continued attention and
fostering care of Congress.
THE REBELLION.
The war continues. Since the last Annual
Message all the important lines and positions
then held by our armies have been maintained,
and our armies have steadily advanced, thus
liberating the States left in the rear, so that
Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and parts of
other States, have again produced reasonably
fair crops. The most remarkable feature in
the military operations of the year is General
Sherman's attempted march of three hundred
miles directly through the enemys region. 1t
tends 10 show great increase OF our relative
strength, that our General-in Chief should feel
able to confront and hold in check every active
force OF the enemy, aid yet 10 detach well
appointed army 10 move on such an expedition.
The result is not yet known, and conjecture in
regard to it is not here INDUCED.
Important movements have also occurred
during the year to the effect OF molding society
for durability 10 the Union. Although short
of complete success, il is much in the right d.
-,
of the states OF Arkansas and Louisiana have
organized loyal State Governments, with free
Constitutions, aud are earnestly struggling to
maintain and administer them. The movement
in the same direction more extensive, though
less de6nite-in Missouri, Kentucky and Ten
nessee, should not be overlooked. But Mary
land presents an example OF complete success
Maryland is secure TO liberty and Union for oil
the future The genius of rebellion will no
more claim Maryland. Like another foul spirit,
being driven out, it will seek to tear her, but
it will WOO her no more.
AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION.
At the last session of Congress a proposed
amendment Of the Constitution abolishing sa-
very throughout the United States passed the
Senate, but failed for the lack of the requisite
two thirds vote in the House of Representa-
tives Although the present is the same Con
greSs, with nearly the same members, without
questioning the wisdom or patriotism of those
who stood IN opposition. venture TO recon-
mend the passage of the measure at the pres
ent session. OF course the absteact question
is not changed by an intervening election, but
it has almost certainly indicated that the next
Congress will pass the measure il this does not.
Hence there is only a question of time as 10
when the proposed amendment will go 10 the
States for their action: and as it Is TO go at oil
events, may we rot agree that the sooner the
better? 1t is not claimed that the election has
imposed duty on members TO change their
views or votes any further than, as an add-
tional element to be considered, their judge.
ment may be affected by it. 1t is the voice
otthe people, now for the first time heard Oh
the question. In great national crisis like
ours. unamimity of action among those seeking
q common end is very desirable, almost inGis
pensable, and yet 20 approach to such unan-
unity is at all possible unless Difference shall
be paid to the will OF the majority, simply be-
cause ii is the will OF the majority. The com
mon end is the maintenance OF the Union. and
among the means 10 secure that end, such will
through the election, has most clearly declared
in favor OF such constitutional amendment.
SENTIMENT 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 peo-
pie within the loyal States to maintain the ln-
tegrity OF the Union was never more firm nor
more nearly unanimous than now. The extra
ordinary calmness 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 supported the Union ticket, SO
called but great majority OF the opposing
party also may be fairly claimed to be actua-
ted by the same purpose. 1t is an unanswera- /
argument that no candidate for any office
whatever, high or low, has ventured to seek !
votes on the avowel that be was going to give
mp the Union. There has been much impugn /
ing OF motives, and much heated controversy /
as to the proper means aud best mode of ad !
vanciDg the Union cause; but on the distinct
issue of Union or no Union, the politicians /
have shown their knowledge that there ia no
division among the people 10 awarding the +
reonia tho fair M showing one TO =