Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-12-17

PROGRESS OF THE w4R
The war continues.s Since tie last annua
message all the important lines ID position.
then held by our armies have 4, n maintain
ed, and our armiss have sseadn advanced
thus iherating the States left ir he rear, Sc
that Missouri, Kentucky, Tel lessee, and
parts of other States, have agal produced
reasonably fair crops. -. @ Z.
GEN. sHERxAN's EXPEDITION.
The most remarkable feature in the mill
tary operations Of the year is Gen. ShermaHs
attempted march of three hundred miles di.
rectly through the insurgent region. II
tends to show a great increase of our rela-
tive strength, that our General in-Chiei
should feel able to confront and hold in check
every active force of the enemy, and vet to
detach a we'll appointed army to move on
such an expedition. The result, not yet
known, conjecture in regard to it is not here
INDUCED.
REORGANIZATION OF STATES.
Important movements have also occurred
during the year to the effect of molding soei-
ETY. for durability in the Union. Although
short of complete. success, it is much in the
right direction that 10000 citizens in each
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 ex-
tensive, though less definite, in Missouri,
Kentucky, and Tennessee, should not be
overlooked, but Maryland presents an ex-
ample of complete success. Maryland is Sc
cure to Liberty and Union for all the future.
The genius of rebellion will no more claim
Maryland like another foul spirit, being
driven out, it viii seek to rend her, but it
will WOO her no more.
ABOLITION OF SLAVERY RECOMMENDED.
At the last session of Congress. a proposed
amendment of the Constitution, abolishing
slavery throughout the United States, passed
the Senate, but failed, for lack of the requi-
site two thirds vote, in the House of Repre-
sentatives. Although the present is the same
Congress and nearly the same ,members, with,
out questioning the wisdom or patriotism OF
those who stood in opposition, venture to
recommend the passage of the measure at
the present session. OF course the abstract
duestionis not changed, but an intervening
election has almost certainly indicated 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 go to the States for their action, and as
it is to so at all events, may we not agree
that the sooner the better.
1t is not claimed that the election has i'm
posed duty on members to change their
views or votes, any further than, as an addi-
tional element TO be considered, their judy
ment may be affected by it,. 1t is the voice
of the people, now for the first time heard on
|, II ~ *
ours, unanimity of actiob among those seek
ing a common end, is very desirable, almost
and yet no approach to such
is attainable unless some difference
shall be paid to the will of the majority, sim
ply because it is the will of the majority Ia
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 declared in favor of such con-
stiHtlonal amendment. The most reliable
indication of public purpose, in this country
IS derived through our popular elections.
THE MEANING OF THE. ELECTION.
Judging by the recent canvass and its re-
suits, the purpose of the people within the
loyal States 10 maintain the integrity of the
Union, was never more firm nor more nearly
unanimous than now. The extraordinary
calmness and good order with which the mil
lions of voters met and mingled at the polls,
gave strong assurance of this. Not only all
those who supported the Union ticket, So
called, but great majority of the opposing
party also, may be fairly claimed to be act
uated by the same purpose. 1t is an unan-
argument, that no candinate for any
office whatever, high or low, has ventured to
seek votes on the avowal that he was for Civ
ing up the Union. There has been much i'm
pugning Of motives and much heated contro-
versy as to the proper means and best mode
of advancing the Union cause, but on the dis
tinct issue of Union or no Union, the politi
clans have shown their instructive knowledge
that there is no diversity among the people.
La awarding the people the fair opportunity
Of showing 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. tf
THE NATION GAINING STRENGTH.
The election has exhibited another fact,
not less valuable to be known-the fact that
we do not approach exhaustion in the most
important branch of the national resources
that of living men. While it is melancholy
to reflect that the war has filed so many
graves, and casued mourning to so many
homes, it is some relief to know that, com
pared with the surviving, the fallen have
been so few. While corps and divisions and
brigades and regiments have formed and
fought and bled and gone out of existence,
great majority of the men who. composed
them are still living. The same is true of the
naval service; the election returns prove this
So many voters could not else be found
The States regularly holding elections,
both now and four years ago, to w.t., Califor-
fornia, Connecitut, Delaware, Illinois, Indi-
ana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine. Maryland, Mas
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
New. Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin, cast
8, 1892, oil votes now against 9,S70,222 then,
showing an aggregate increase of Ill ,7S9, to
which is to be added 1892 cast now in the
new States of Kansas and Nevada, which
States did not vote in 1850, thus swelling the
aggregate to 4,075, 773, and the net increase
during the three years and half of war, to
las, ISL. A'table is appended, showing par
ticulars- '-''' s1-
( To this again should be added the number
Of all the soldiers in the field from Massachu-
sets, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware,
Indiana, Illinois, and California, who, by the
law OF those Otates, could not vote away
from their homes, which number cannot be
less than 10000. Nor yet is this all The
number in the organized Territories is triple
now what it was four years ago, while thou
sands, white and black, join US as the nation
al arms press back the insurgent lines.
So much is shown, affirmatively and mega
lively, by the election. 1t is not material to
inquire how the increase has been produced,
nm 70 ch0vv that II urnfald have bnan oraafpp
but for the war, which is probably true. The