Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-12-14
NEW SERIES-VOL. Y.-NO. 90.

rolls. The present number Of army pen
sloners of this class is 5,433. and of navy
pensioners, 793. At the beginning of the
year, the number of revolutionary pen
sloners was ,430. Only twelve of them
were soldiers. of whom seven have since
Died The remainder are those who under
the laws, receive pensions because of rela-
uonship to revolutionary soldiers. Dur
ing the year ending the 30th of June, 1864
| $l,5O4,6l6,92 have been paid to pension
ers of all classes. -.
cheerfuily commend TO your contiu-
ued patronage the benevolent institutions
of the District of Columbia, which have
hitherto been iostered by Congress, and
respectfully refer for information concern
ing them, and in relation to the Washing
ton Aquoduc., the Capitol and other mat
ters OF local interest, to the report of the
Secretary Of the Interior.
The Agricultural Department, under
the supervsions of itsspresent energetic
and faithful head, is rapidly commencing
itself to the great and vital interest j! was
created to advance. 1t is particularly the
the department in which the people feel
more directly concerned than in any 9th
er. | commend il to the conf tinued atten-
ton and fostering care of Congress.
The war continues. Since the last an
nual message all the important lines and
positions then occupied by our forces,
have been maintained, and our arm les
haze steadily advanced, thus libarati ns
the region left in the rear, so that Miss
ouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and parts of
other States have again produced reasona-
bly, fair crops.
The most remarkable feature in the
military operations of the year is General
Sherman's attempted march Of three hun
| dred miles directly through the insurgent
region. 1t tends to show great increase
| Of our relative strength that our General.
in Chief should feel able to confront aud
! hold in check every active force of the en-
emy, and to detail well appointed large
army to move on such an expedition. The
result not yet being known, conjecture in
regard to it is not here indulged.
! Independent movements have also oc-
cured during the year to the effect Of
modelling society for durability 10 the
| Union.
Although it is much in the right direc-
tion that twelve thousand citizens in each
| Of the States of Arkansas and Louisiana
/ have organized loyal State Govern ments
with Free Constitutions, and earnestly
struggling to maintain and andminister
them, the movements in the same drec.
tions, more extensive though less definite,
in Missouri, Kentucky aud Tennessee
shoul tnot be overlooked.
But Maryland presents the example of
complete success. Maryland is secure to
Liberty and the Union for all the future
The genius of rebellion will no more claim
Maryland. Like another foul spirit be-
ing driven oht, il may seek TO tear her,
but it will WOO her no more.
At the last session of Congress propos-
ed ammerdment to the Constitution, abol-
ishshiug slavery throughout the United
lack Of the requisite two-thirds vote in the
House of Representatives. Although
the present is the same Congress
and nearly the slme members, and
without questioning the wisdom or patri-
otisn, of those who stood in opposition,
venture to recommend the reconsidera-
ton and passage ofthe measure at the pres
ent session,
OF course the abstract questious not
changed, but an intervening election
shows almo't certainly that the next Con
greSs will pass tho measure, if this one
does not hence il is only a question of
time when The proposed amendment will
90 TO the the States for their action, and
as 1t is TO 90 at all events, may we not
agree the sooner the better II is not
claimed that the election has imposed a
duty on members to chGngo their views or
their votes, any further than as an addi-
tional element to be considered how far
their judgment may te effected byit 10
is the voice of the people for the first time
heard upon the question.
In great national crisis like ours una
nmity Of action among those seeking a
common end is very desirable, almost in
dispensGble, and yet no approach TO such
unanimily is altainable unless some def
erence shall be paid to the will of the ma
jority, simply because it is the will of the
majority In this case the comm m end
the maintenance of the Union, and among
the means to secure that end such lciH
through the election. is most clearly de.
clared in favor of such constitutional
amendment. The most reliable indica-
tion Of public purpose in this country is
derived.
Through our popular elections, jud ging
by the recent canvass and its results the
purpose OF the people within the loyal
States to maintain the integrity of the I'M
ion was never more frm, nor N ore nearly
unanimous than now.
The extraordinary calmnesss and good
order with which the millions Of voters
met and mingled at the polls gave strong
assurance of this. Not only all those
who supported The Union ticket, so cal
led, but great majority Of the opposing
party, also, may be iairlyo claimed TO enter
tain and TO be actuated by the same pur-
pose. 1t is au unauswerable argument to
this effect that no candidate for any
Office whatever, high or low, has yeptured
to seek votes on the avowat that he was
giving up the Union There have been
much impugning Of motives and mucn
heated controversy as TO the pfopel
means and best mode of advancing the
Union cause, but in tho distinct issue ol
Union or no Union, the politicians have
sbo,cp THAR instructive knowledge that