The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1864-12-22

But Maryland presents the example oil
complete success. Maryland is secure to
liberty and Union for all the future. Thr
genius of rebellion will no more claim
Maryland, Like another foul spirit be
ing driven out, it may seek to tear her
but 1t will WOO her no more.
AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION.
AT the last session of Congress pro-
roseb amendment of the Constitution,
abolishing slavery throughout the Uni,
ted States, passed tho Senate. but failed,
for lack of the requisite two thirds vote,
in the House OF Representatives.
Although the present is the same
Congress, and neatly tho same members,
without questioning the wisdom or pa
lTolism of those who stool in opposition.
venture TO recommend the reconsider.
alton and passage oflho measure at the
present session. or course the abstract
quesIionis not changed but an interve.
ming election shows almost certainly that
the next Congress will pass the measure.
iflhis does not: hence there is only a
question of time as TO when the propo.
scd amendment will go to the States for
their action, and as it is to go at all
events. may We not agree that the soon,
er tho better. Ii is not claimed that The
election has imposed duty on m EN- bors
to change their views or their votes ony
further than as on additional element 10
be considered. Their judgment may be
effected by it. 1t is the voice of the
people now for the first time heard
upon the question. In q great Ma.
tional crisis like ours, /unanimimity
Ct action among those seeking n
common end is very desirable, almost in
dispensable, aud yet no approach TO
such uuanmily is stlainobe unless some
difference shall be paid to the will Of the
majority, simply because it is the will Of
the majority,
In this case the common end is the
maintenance Of the Union, and among
the means 10 secure that end such will
through the election is clearly declared
in favor of such Constitu ional amend
ment. The most reliable indication oil
public purpose in this country is derived
through our popular elections. Judging
by the recent canvass and its result, 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 e1.
trsordinary cslmnsss and good order
t-wiihAwiioh the milSions 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 m jority of the oppo.
sing party also, may be fairly claimed to
entertain, and to be actuated by the same
purpose. 1t is an unanswergole areu.
ment to this effect, that no candidate for
any Office, whether high or low, has
ventured to seek votes on the avowal
that he was for giving up the Union
There has been much impugning OF mo-.
tlyeS, and much heated controversy as
to the proper means and best mode Of
advancing the Union cause, but 10 the
distinct issue Of Union or no Union, the
politicians have shown their instructive
knowledge that there is no diversity
among the people in awarding the peo.
pie the fair opportunity Of showing one
to another and 10 the world this firm ness
and unanimity ofpurpose, The election
has been Of vast value 10 the national
cause. 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 10 reflect
that the war has filled SO many graves
and caused mourning 10 so many homes,
it is some relief to know that compared
with the surviving the fallen have been
so few. Whole corps and divisions and
brigadcs and regiments have formed and
fought and dwindled and gone out Of
existence.
A great majority oI men who compri,
sed them are still living. The samo ia
true Of the naval service. The election
returns proves this. So many voters
could not else be found. The States
regularly holding elections both now and
four years ago to-wir: California, Con.
necicut, Delaware, Illinois, indiana,
Iowa, Kentucky, Maire, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan. Minnesota,
Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylva.
MIA, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Vir.
ginia and Wisconsin cast 3,982,0ll
votes now, against 1870, 222 cast then;
showing an aggregate now of 8, ,39S,2l4,
to which is to be added 23,762 cast now
in the new States of Konsas and Nevada,