The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-12-16

Invalid pensioners Zzt,Otz Oh navy
invalid pensioners 712 of widows, or
phans and mothers %, 1913 have been
placed on the army pension rolls and
24S on the navy rolls. The present
number of army pensioners of this
class is %, 433 and of navy pensioners
1893.
At the beginning of the year, the
number of revolutionary pensioners
was 1880 only twelve of them were
soldiers. Of whom seven have since
died. The remainder are those who
under the law receive pensions because
Of relationship to revolutionary SOL
ders. During the year ending the
both June, 1864 81, 50i, 6l6,92 have
been paid to pensioners of all classes.
TIE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
/ cheerfully commend to your CON
tinued patronage the benevolent iusti-
tutions of the District of Columbia,
which have hitherto been established
or fostered by Congress and respect
fully refer for information concerning
them, and in relation to the Washing
ton aqueduct, the capitol, and other
matters of local interest, TO the report
of the secretary.
THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
The agricultural department, under
the supervision of its present energetic
and faithful head, is rapidly commend
ing itself to the great and vital inter
est it was created to advance. 1t is
practically the peoples department, in
which they feel more directly concern
cd than in any other ! commend it
to the continued attention and foster
ing care of Congress.
PROGRESS on THE WAR
The war continues. Since the last
annual message, all the important
lines and positions then occupied by
our forces have been maintained and
our armies have steadily advanced,
thus hberating the regions left in the
rear so that Missouri, Kentucky, Ten
nessee, and parts of other States have
again produced reasonably fair crops
The most remarkable feature in mill
tary operations Of the year is General
Sherman's attempted march Of three
hundred miles directly through the
insurgent region. 1t tends to show Z
great increase Of our relative strength
that our general-in-chief should fee
able to confront and hold in checl
every active force of the enemy, and
yet to detach a well appointed and
large army to move on such an expe
dition, The result not yet being known
conjecture in regard to it is not her,
INDUCED in
RECONSTRUCTION.
Important movements have also oc
cured during the year to the effect o
moulding society for durability in thu
<nion Although short of complete
success, it is much in the right direc
ton that 10000 citizens in each Of tn
States Of Arkansas and louisiana hav'
organized loyal State governments
with free constitutions, and are earnest
ly struggling to maintain and admin
ister them The movement in The
same direction, more extensive though
less definite, in Missouri, Kentucky
and Tennessee, should not be over
. looked. But Maryland presents tn
example of complete success. Mary
land is secure to liberty and the Uniol
for all the future The genius of re
bellion will no more claim Maryland
Like another foul spirit being driver
out it may rend and tear her, but
, will WOO her no more.
THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY.
At the last session of Congress
proposed amendment of the Constit
ton aboishing slavery throughout til
L. S. passed the Senate, but failed fo
: lack of the requisite two-thirds vote i
the House of Representatives A
4 though the present is the. same Cor
$ gress, and nearly the same members
and without questioning the wisdor
2 or patriotism of those who stood !
! opposition,I venture to recommend tn
i reconsideration and passage of til
l measure at the present session. {
n course the abstract question is ne
: changed, but an intervening elect;o
# shows almost certainly that the neg
s Congress will pass the measure, if til
d does not. Hence, there is only que'
!. ton of time ms to when the propose
7 amendment will go to the states fC
d their action, and as it is to so go at a
d events, may we not agree that Il
a sooner the better. 1t is not elaine
e that the election has imposed dui
h on members to change their views ,
: their votes any further than as an az
e ditional element to be considered I
= their Judgment may be affected by
II 1t is the voice of the people, now #
d the first time heard upon the questio
In great national crisis like ours, III
l. animity Of action among those seekiI
n a common end is very desirable, almo
S indispensable, and yet no approach
a. such unanimity is attainable unle
S some Difference shall be paid to Il
d Will of the majority, simply because
N is the will of the majority.
re THE RECENT ELECTION.
Q In this case, the common end is t
ie maintenance of the Union, and amor
~ the means to secure that end, SUI
ie will, through the election, is me
= clearly declared III favor OF such co
lt ,t.4,,ts,,oI a,,,a, l,,,o,,4 Nh moot +,