New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-12-07

tho majority.
H. this case the common end is tho 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 constitutional amendment
Tho most reliable indication of public purpose in
this country is derived through our popular elec-
tions. Judging by the recent canvass and Its re,
suit the purpose Of the people within the loyal
States TO maintain the integrity Of the Union was
never more firm nor more nearly unanimous than
now. -,
The extraordinary calmness and good ordo Win
which The millions of voters met aud mingled ut
the polls, give strong assurance OF TINS. MOI ohy
those who supported the linton ticket tso-
called, but great majority of the opposing parry
also may be fairly claimed to entertain and To- 10
actuated by the same purpose. IL is an unanswcr-
able argument to this effect that candidate ior
any Oihco whatever. high or low, has yentured 10
scel. votes the avowal that no was Tor giving up
the Union.
There has been much impngning of motives ana
heated controversy Us TO the proper means ana
best mode Of advancing the Union cause, put ~
the distinct issue OF Union or no Union the poh-
ticians have shown their instructive knowledge
that there is no diversity among the people. In
aiordng the People a fair opportunity OF showing
one to another and to the world this frHiIess ana
unaninity of purpose, tho election has been OF vast
value to the national cause.
The election has exhibited another fact not less
valuable to be known-the fact that we do not
Of the national resources, that OF living men,
While il il melancholy to reflect that the war has
filled so many graves and carried mourning Ia SO
many hearts, il is some relief to know that, CON-
pared with the surviving, the fallen have been 80
few While CORDS and divisions, and brigedes, and
regiments have formed, and fought, and dwinded,
and gone out Of existence great majority of the men
who composed them are still living The same If
true of the naval service. The election returns
prove this SO many voters could not else DO found.
rhn Ctofn ,.oularlv hol1inv elections IDth
and four years ago. to wit: CaGforna, Connecticut,
Delaware, Illinois Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Min
nesota, Missouri, New-Iampshire, New-Jersey,
Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and
Wisconsin, cast 3,gS2,0ll votes now against
| 3 SIC, 81 cast then showing al aggregate now OF
s. 9S2.l to which is to be added 49, cast now in
the new states Of Kansas and Nevada, which States
did not vote in 1860; thus swelling tho aggregate
to 4O75,773 and tho net increase during tho three
years and half Of to las, 75l. "A table Is ap-
pended showing particulars.
To this, again, should be added the number of all
soldiers in the field from Massachusetts, Rhode Is.
land, New-Jcrscy, Delaware, Indiana, Illinois, and
California who, by the laws of those States, could
not vote away from their homes, end which number
cannot be less than 10000. Nor yet is this ali.
The number in organized territories is triple now
what it was four years ago. while thOuSinds-white
and black-join us as the national arms press back
| the lIiSErgrIt lines. 30 IHNCH II kuOnu
lively and negatively by the election.
II is not material to inquire how the increase has
been produced, or to show that it would have been
greater but for the war; which is probably irue
the important fact remains demonstrated that We
have more men now than We had when the war be-
gum that We are not exhausted nor In process OF
exhaustion that we are gaining strength, and
may, II need be, MAINTAIN the contest Indefinitely.
This as TO men.
Natural resources arc now more complete and
abundant than ever. The national resources, then,
are unexhausted, and as We believe, inexhanstble.
The public purpose 10 rcestablish and maintain the
national authority IL unchanged aud as We believe,
unChlr geablc. The manner of continuing the effort
remains 10 choose On careful consideration Of all
the evidence accessible, il seems 10 mo that at
tempt at negotiation with the insuIgel, leader could
result IN any good.
lie would accept Of nothing short OF the sever
ance OF the Union. Hsdeclamiions TO this effect
Ire explicit and oitrepcatcd. lie does not attempt
TO deceive us. lie affords Us DO excuse to deceive
ourselves. We cannot voluntarily yield IL. he.
tween him and the issue lie distinct, simple and
! inhexible II is an issue which can only be tred
by war, and decided by victory.
If we Weld. we are beaten: If the Southern peo-
pie fail lin, he is beaten-cither way IT would be
the victory and defeat following war. What - true,
however OF him who holds the insurgcnt c9nse, Is
lot essarily true of those who follow. Although
he cannot reaccept the Union, they can. Some Of
them, we know, already desire peace and reunion.
The number OF such may increase.
They can of any moment have peace simply by
having down their and submitting TO the Ma
tional authority under the Constitution. After no
much tho Government could not If it would. main
tain war against them. The loyal people would not
sustain or allow IT, II questions should remain We
would adjust them by the peaceful means OF .egs!a-
ton, conference courts aud votes.
Operating only IN constitutional and lawful chnn-
nels GONE certain and other possible questions are
and would BIG beyond the Executive power 10 ad-
lust, for instance, the admission Of members into
Congress, and whatever might require the appTo-
pration OF money.
Tho Executive power itself would be really dmin-
ished by the cessation of actual war. Pardons and
rcmissions Of forfeiture, however, would still be
within Executive control. In what spirit and tenn
per this control would be exercised can be fairly
Judged of by the past A year ago general pardon
and amnesty upon specified terms were offered to OIL
except certain designated classes, and it was at the
same time made known that the excepted classes
were still within contemplation OF special Glenn
ency.
During the year many availcd Themselves Of the
general provision and oaDy more would, only that
the signs OF bad faith in some led to such pNcau.
tionary measures as rendered the practical process
less easy and certain. During the same time also
special pardons have been granted to Individuals OF
excepted classes, and no voluntary APPLICATION has
been denied.
Thus practically the door has been 6r full year
open TO ALL except such were not in condition 10
make free choice; that is, such as were In custody
or under constraint. " is still 30 open 90 al but
the time may come, probably will ~Inc, when
public duty shall demand that II be clos,d, and that
In lieu more vigorous measares than heretofore
shall be adopted.
In presenting tho abandonment of armed resist
ance TO the National authority ON the part Of tho
insurgents as the only Indispensable condition to
ending the war On the part OF the Government,
retract nothing heretofore said as 20 SlGcry. 10