Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-12-08

diseases contracted, or Of wounds received
IN the service of their country, have been
diligently administered. '
There had been added 10 the pension rolls
during the year ending the 3Oth day of ,June
last, the names of 1910 invalid soldiers,
and Of 27l disabled seamen, making the
present number Of army invalid pensioners
~, 761, and OF navy invalid pensioners 7i2,
and OF widows, orphans and mothers %, 9S
have been placed on the army pension rolls
and 24S on the navy rolls. The number of
army pensioners of this class is 25, ,433, and
of navy pensioners 793. At the beginning
of the year the number of revolutionary
pensioners was ,430. Only twelve Of them
were soldiers, of whom seven have since
died. The remainder are those who under
the law, receive pensions because of relation.
ship to Revolutionary soldiers During the
yesr end ng the 30th . june, 1864, 81,
GIG 92 have been paid to pensioners of all
classes. -r ...
l cheerfully commend to your continued
patronage the benevolent institutions of the
District OF Columbia, which have hitherto
been established or fostered by Congress,
and respectfully refer for information con
oernlng them, aud in relation to the Wash
ington Aqueduct, the Capitol 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 vital interest it was created
to advance. IL is peculiarly 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 war has continued since the last an
nual message. All the important lines and
positions then occupied by our forces have
been maintained and our armies have stead
lily advanced, thus liberating the negroes
lett in the rear. so that Missouri, Kentucky,
Tennessee, and parts ef other States, have
again produced remarkably 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 insurgent region. 1t
tends to show a great:inereass of our relative
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
well appointed large army to meve on such
an expedition.
The result not yet being known, conjec-
ture in regard to it is not here INDUCED. -
L" uONCmcHtS Hhf6 htSO occurred
during the year to the effect of moulding
society for durability in the Union. AL
though short OF com mplete SUCCESS, il is much
in the right direction that twelve thousand
citizens in each of the States of Arkansas
and Louisiana have organized loyal State
Governments with free Constitutions. and
are earnestly struggling to maintain and
administer them. The movement in the
saiue direction more extensive. though less
definite, in Missouri, Kentucky and Ten
nessse, should not be overlooked. But
Maryland presents tie example Of complete
success Maryland is secure to liberty and
Union tor all time to come. The genius of
rebellion will no more claim Maryland -
Like another foul spirit, being driven out,
it may seek to tear her, but it will woe her
no more. At the last session of Congress, q
proposed amendment Of the Constitution
abolishing slavery throughout the United
States passed the Senate, but failed for lack
OF the requisite two-thirds vote in the House
Of Representatives. Although the present
is the same Congress, and nearly the same
members, without questioning the wisdom
or patriotism of those who stood in oppo-
sltlon, venture to recommend the recon-
sideration and passage Of the measure ut the
present session. Ofcourss the abstract .ques-
tion is not changed; but an intervening cleo.
ton shows almost certainly that the next
Congress will pass the measure, if this does
not, hence there is only question Of time
as to when the proposed amendment will 20
to the States tor their action, and as it is to
so go, at all events, may we not agree that
the sooner the better 1t is not claimed that
the election has imposed duty on mem
hers to change their views or their votes nnv
further than as an additional element to be
considered, their judgment may be effs sted
by it. 1t is the voice of the people now for
the first time heard upon the question.
| In great national crisis like ours, unani-
unity of action among those seeking a COM
mon end is very desirable. almost indispen-
sable, and yet no approach to such unani-
NIFTY Is ettainable, unless some Difference
shah bt paid to tho will of the msitrity,
SIMPLY because it is the will ofthe msiority.
In this case the common end is % main
tenance of the Union and among the meat ns
to 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 is delivered through our popular
elections. Judging by the recent canvass
and its result, the purpose of the people
within the loyal states to maintain the in.
tegrity ofthe Union. was never more firm,
nor more nearly unanimous than now. The
extraordinary calmness and good ord or with
which the millions of voters met, and
mingled at the polls, gave streng as.
suranee Of this alu -l,H b.,aF@f5
Not only all those who supported the Up-
ion ticket. SO called, but great majority Of
the opposing party also may be fairly
claimed to entertain and TO be 'actuated by
the same purpose. 1t is an unanswerabIe
argument to this effect that no candidate
for any office, however high or low. has ven
tured to seek votes on tho avowa that he
was for giving up the Union. There has
been much impugning Of motives, and much
heated controversy as to the proper means
and best smode of advancing the Union
cause; but on the distinct issue of Union or
no Union, tho politicians have shown their
instt:.aaiiye knowle dgs that there is no
diversity among tho pe6elle. In aaording
to the peopie;;ss fair opportunity of show,
ing one TO another, and to the world, this
frmness. and unanimity of purpose, the
election has been of vast value to the Ma.
tional cause. The election has exhibited
another fast not less valuable to be known,
L.