White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1864-12-15
Presiae.t,. Message.

Presidents Msssa1s.
This document il not lengthy. but ths
greater portion Of it is devoted to oul
foreign relations, financial Affairs. and th.
several departments Of the Government
The concluding portion relates to the war
As our readers are probably interested
only in that part. we give it only
rhs war continues. Since the last
annual message. oil ths important lins'
and positions then Occupied BY our forces
have been maintainsd. and our armis.
have steadily advanced. thus libsratine
the regions left 10 the rear. so that Miss.
ouri. Kentucky, Tennessee. and parts o.
other States. havesgain produced reason
ably fair crops.
The most rsmsrksbls feature in tn.
military operations Of the year, is Gen
eral Sherman's attempted march Of SOC
miles directly through insurgsns regions
1t tends to show great increase Of oul
relative strength. that orr Genersl-in
Chief should feel able to confront ani
hold in check every active force of th,
enemy. and yet to dctsch wsll-sppoint
cd, large army to move on such an ex
pedition.
The result not yet being known, con
lecture in regard to it is not here indulg.
ed. Important movements have also oc
Cured during the year to the effect o
molding society for durability in the
Union-slthough short of complete sue
cess it il much in tbs+igbt direction. tha
$4,000 citizens in each of the States ol
Arkansas and Louisiana have organized
10y State governments with free consti
tutions, and are earnestly struggling tc
maintain and administer them.
The movement in the Same direction
more extensive though less definite. il
Missouri. Kentucky and Tennessee should
not be overlooked.
But Maryland presents the example o
complete success. Maryland is secure tt
Liberty and Union for all the futur,
The genius Of Rebellion will no NOR,
claim Maryland. Like another foul spirit
being driven ont, it may seek to tear her,
but it will rule her no more.
At the last Session of Congress a prop
ossd amendment Of the Constitution ab.
olishing Slavery throughout the United
States passed the Senate, but failed fol
lack of the requisite two thirds vote in The
House of Representatives. Although th.
present is the same Congress, and nearly
the same members. and without question
ing the wisdom or patriotism Of those
who stood in opposition. 1 venture to re-
commend the consideration and passage
OF the measure at the present session.
OF course the abstract question 70 Boi
changed, but an intervening election show.
almost certainly that the next Congress
will pass the measure if this does not
Hence there is only question of time al
to when the proposed amendment will GO
to the States for their action, and as it is
to go at all events, may we not agree that
the sooner the better? 1t is not CLAIMED
that the election has imposed duty on
members TO change their views or their
votes any further than as an additional
element to be considered. Their judg.
ment may be affected by it.
1t is the voice of the People now for
the FIRST time heard upon the question.
In agrest National crisis like ours, una
nimity Of action among those seeking
common end is very desirable, almost
Indispensable, and yet no approach to
such unsnimity is attainable unless some
reference shall be paid to the will Of the
majority. simply bscsuse 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 ofsueh constitutional am
sndment. The most reliable indication
OF public purpose in this country is deriv-
ed through our popular elections. Judg-
ing by the recent canvass and its result,
the purpose Of the people within the 10y
al States to maintain the integrity of the
Union was never moro 6rm nor more
nearly unanimous than now.
The extraordinary calmness and good
order with which the milliens of voters
met and mingled at the polls, give strong
assur snce OF this. Not only those who
supported the "Union 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 unauswerable 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 mp the Union.
There has been much impugning of
motives and heated controversy as to the
proper means and best mode Of advanc-
ing the Union cause. but in the distinct
issue OF Union or no Union the politicians
have shown their instructive knowledge
that there is no diversity among the
people. In afording the Peopls fair
of show ing one to another
and to the world this frmness and una.
nimity of purpose. the election has been
of vast value to the nstionaI cause.
The election has exhibited another fact
not less valuable to be known-the fact