The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1864-12-20
Northern News.

umore papers OF The 7th are at hnnd.
1inco'h's message ia published in full
lie says the condition Of foreign affairs is
reasonably satisfactory. We have strictly
maintained neutrality between tn. belIig-
eren,s in Mexico. There is good pros
pect that the inter oceanic route ris San
Juan will soon be opsoed.
After enumefating the various South
American Repubit. with whom we have
relations Gfibs most friendly nature, he
solicits authority tn furnish 4 gunboat to
Liberia. the cost TO be reimbursed 10 the
United States.
The noble design of establishing tele-
graphic communication between America
and Great Britain, hns been renewed, with
a fair prospect of its early accomplishment.
The E. bellion in China has at last been
suppressed WITH the co op GRAFTON and good
States.
The ports Of Norfolk. Fernandioa. and
Pensacola have been opened. IL is hoped
foreign merchants will resort TO those and
I'd by u lawful an d effective blockade.
Unforeseen political differences have aris-
en- in Brazilian and British ports, which ara
| now in course OF adjustment.
Notice has been given that the Uuited
| States will increase their naval armament
| upon the lakes.
| The public debt on the first Of July last
was nearly eighteen hundred millions Of
dollars, held for the most part by our own
people, has become = substantial branch Of
national though private property.
After reference ts Various sabjects Of no
general interest to Confederate readers,
Lincoln notices the ontinuancs Of the war
with the results, which he regards as ion.
portant. lie recommends the proposed
amendment TO the Constitution abolishing
slavery throughout the United States. He
refers to the recent election as evidsuee Of
The purpose Of The people Of the 10y al
States to maintain The integrity Of the Uo-
ion. The election returns psOve that .
great maJsrity Of the men who CONF posed
The army aud navy are still living. We
are gaining strength. and the war may be,
il noed be, maintained with insurgents in.
dssini'ely. Tbs public purpose to ss,ab.
lish tho national suthority unchanged Is,
a. We believe, Interchangeable.
| On eaTfal confederation it seems TO me
no attempt 10 negotiate With the insuIgsnt
leader wound resuit in cSnia q to any good
He would aeesPt nothing short Of sever.
sncs. We could not voluntarily yield Il.
The issue can only be tried by war, and
decided by victory. but the Southern peo.
pie can scispI the Uaion and the amnesty
offered year az" is s,ril open TO oil who
| are in . condition to lnnke free choice
In conclusion. .I.incoiu says he will no,
reiract OF modify the -emano,pation prosla.
nation. Ia. stating the single condition OF
peace, hs means simply TO say, war will
ceas. on the psri of 'he government when.
ever it shall have ceased on the part Of
those who began II.
RicHxosp, Dec. IO.-Nosthsrn paper. Of
thu 9Th are at hand.
] The Herald. ia it's summary SAYS the
two as,pis. padsr Thomas and Hood are
sill confront Jog each other in the vicioiiy
Of Nsshyi!ls. Monday Hood sent = hag of
tGes to Thomas proposing TO exchange
prisoners. The latter rspiisd the men he
had captsreA had been sent nOrthward and
were beyond his control.
Hoods headoaarters Tuesday were six