Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-12-16

PENSIONS.
The liberal provisions made by Con-
gress for paying pensions to invalid SOL
diers and sailors of the Republic, aud to
the widows, orphans aud dependent mott-
ers of those who have fallen in battle, or
died of disease contracted, or of wounds
received in the service of their country,
have been diligently administered. -
There have been added to the pension
rolls during the year ending the 30th
day Of June last the names Of 1870 in
valid soldiers and of 27l disabled sea
men, making the present number Of ar
my invalid pensioners 227 672 ; ofnavy
invalid pensioners 7l2; Of wild ow S
orphans and mothers %, 1893 have been
placed or the army pension rolls and 2I8
on the navy rolls. The present number
Of army pensioners of this class is 2j, 433
and of navy pensioners 1913.
AT the beginning Of the year, the mum
Der Of revolutionary pensioners was 1870,
only twelve Of them were soldiers, Of
whom seven have since died The re-
mainder are those who under the law
receive pensions because of relationship
to revolutionary soldiers. During the
year ending the 30th of June, 1864, 81.
j04,6lG 90 have been paid to pensioners
of all classes.
PROGRESS OF THE WAR.
The war continues. Since the last
annual message, all the important lines
and positions then occupied by our forces
have teen maintained and our armies
have steadily advanced, thus Iibera:ing
the regions leii iu the rear SO that Mis-
souri,. Kentucky, Tennessee and parts OF
other states have again produced reason
ably fair crops. The most remarkable
feature in the military operations of the
year is Gen. Sherman's attempted march
of three hundred miles directly through
the insurgent region. II tends to show
great increase Of our relative strength,
that our general in chief should feel able
to confront and hold in check every ac.
tive force Of the enemy, and yet to de
tach large and well appointed army to-
move on such an expedition. The re
suit not being known, conjecture in re,
gard 10 it is not here INDUCED.
RECONSTRUCTION.
Important movements have also occur
red during the year to the effect Of mould 7
ing society for durability in the Union.
short of complete success, it i,
much in the right direction that 1000
citizens in each of the states Of Arkan
as and Louisiana have organized loyal ,
tate governments, with free constitutions {
md are earnestly struggling to maintain ,
nd administer them. The movement t
u the same direction, more extensive d
lough less definite, in Missouri, Ken e
lcky and Tennessee, should not be over
,oked. But Mary land presents an ex- a
mple Of complete success. Maryland is o
cure to liberty and the Union for all II
Ie future. The genius of rebellion will O
D more claim Maryland. Like another n
nj spirit being driven cut, it may rend I
nd tear her, but it vii! WOO her no more II
CONSTITUTIONAL ABOLITION or il
SLAVERY.
A. the last session of Congress a pro. q
,sed amendment of the constitution. "
slavery throughout the United q
tates, passed the Senate, but failed for 4
ok of the requisite two thirds vote in the ="
.ouse Representatives. Although the r
resent is the same Congress and nearly u
ie same members, and without question: y
z the wisdom or patriotism Of those who l
God in opposition, venture to recon- G
end the reconsideration and passage Of e.
,e measure at the present session. o. u
purse the abstract question is not chang~
4, but an intervening election shows al
lost certainly that the next Congress
i'll pass the measure, if tins does NOT
Ience this is only 4 question Of time as
when the proposed amendment will go
the states for their action, and as It i
, govern all events, may we not agree in
lat the sooner the better. 1t is not clear W
lat the election has imposed a duty on "
lember5 to change their views or their N
otes, any further than as an additional "
cement to be considered, their judgment in
lay be affected by it. II is the voice o.
ie people, now for the first time heard az
pom the question. In great national of
'isis Ike ours unanimity of action pa
mong those seeking q common eLd is CT
cry desirable, almost Indispensable, and tn
ct no approach to such unanimity is at "
unable, unless some Difference shall b.
aid TO the will of the majority, simply 70
ecause it is the will CT the majority, In ~
lis case the common end is the maiuten- rs
nee Of the Union, and among the means i,
secure that end, such will throp-1 ;uerth
lection is most clearly declared in favor
such constitutional amendment. "a
The most reliable indications Of public n,
lrpose in this country is derived i.
rough our popular elections. Judging e.
y the recent canvass and its result the til
upose Of the people within the log al ty
a;es to maintain the Integrity of the st
MON was never more frm nor more "
early unanimous than now. The ex- an
'aordinary calmness and good order p,
jth which the millions nf voters met and a.,