The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1864-12-13


: pensioners 7l2. OF widows, orphans
: and mothers 22,19s have been place,
Y on the army pension rolls, and 24S Of
a the navy rolls. The present number
I of army pensioners of this class is 25
\ 433, and of navy pensioners 703. A,
Q the beginning of the year, the number
S OF Revolutionary pensioners was ,43O
T only IL ofthem were soldiers, of whom
8 have since died; the remainder ar,
} those who, under the law, receive pen
sions because ofrelationship to Revolu
tionary soldiers. During the year end.
ing the 30th of June, 1864, $5,5O4,GI6.
o2 have been paid to pensioners of all
classes.
LOCAL INSTITUTIONS.
! | cheerfully commend to your con-
tinucd patronage the benevolent insti-
tutions of tAe 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 w Washington
aqueduct, the Capitol and other mat
ters of local interest, to the report of
the secretary.
AGRICULTURE,
The Agricultural Department, un-
der the supervision of its present ener-
getic head, is rapidly commencing it.
self to the great and vital interest it
was created to advance. Itis peculiar
ly the peoples department, in which
they feel lmOre directly concerned than
in any other l commend it to the
continued attention and fostering care
of Congress.
PROGRESS OF THE WAR.
The war continues. Since the last
annual message all the important lines
and positions then held by our armies
have been maintained, and our armies
have steadily advanced, thus liberating
the States in the rear, so that Missouri,
Kentucky, Tennessee, and parts of 9TH
er States, have again produced reason
ably fair crops.
GEN. sHERMAN's MARCH.
The most remarkable feature in the
military operations of the year is Gen.
Sherman's attempted march of three
hundred miles directly through the in
surgcnt region. 1t tends to show a
great increase of our relative strength,
that our General-in- Chief should feel
able to confront and hold in check ev-
cry active force of the enemy, and yet
to detatch a well appointed army to
move on such an expidition. The re-
suit not yet known, conjecture in re-
gard to it isnot here indulged-
REORGANIZATION OF STATES.
Important movements have also oc.
Cured during the year to the effect of
molding society for durability in the
Union. Although short of complete
success, it is much in the right direc-
tion that 10000 citizens i'm each of the
States of Arkansas and Louisiana have
organized loyal State Governments,
with free Constitutions, and are earn
estly struggling to maintain and ad-
them. The movement in the
same direction, moro extensive, though
less definite, in Missouri, Kentucky,
and Tennessee, should not be over (
looked; but Maryland presents an ex-
ample ofcomplete success. Maryland !
is secure to liberty and Union for all {
the future. The genius. of rebellion t
will no more claim Maryland; like an {
other foul spirit, being driven out, it {
will seek to rend her, but it will WOO 9
Ter no more, is
TIE TOTAL ABOLITION OF SLAVERY !
RECOMMENDED. .
AT the last session of Congress pro- .
,osed amendment of the Constitution :
lbolishing slavery throughout the Uni :,
ed States, passed the Senate, but fail !,
ID, for lack of the requisite two-thirds !,
'ote, in the House of Representatives. y
Although the present is the same Con- IL
,ress and nearly the same members.
without questioning the wisdom or h
of.those who stood in oppo- s.
ition, | venture to recommend the ii
assage of the measure at the present Il
ession. Of course the abstract ques- al
ion is not changed, but an interven- I
lg election has almost certainly indica 81
ed that the next Congress will pass 81
ne measure, if this does not; hence III
here Is oplya question of time as to m
hen the proposed amendment will go W
} the States for their action, and as it Il
to 60 at all events, may we not agree al
lat the sooner the better. 1t is not W
aimed that the election has imposed m
duty on members to change their N
Jews or votes, any further than as an til
iditional element to be considered. OF
heir judgement may be affected by it. be
is the voice of the people, now for ju
le first time heard on the question. m
! great national crisis like this, una m
nifty of action among those seeking m
common end is very desirable, almost w
dispensable, and yet no approach to 81
ch unanimity is attainable unless mi
me deferenc shall be paid to the will sti
the majority. In this case the COM WI
on end is the maintenance of the I'm W.
n, and among the means to secure ed
at end, such will, through the election al
most clearly declared in favor of .ie
ch constitutional amendment, The ce
ost reliable indication of public pur tn
se in this country is derived through ed
T popular election. tic
TIE MEANING OF THE ELECTION. ~ ye
Judging by the recent canvass and 81
results, the purpose of the people ~
thin the loyal States to maintain the !"
tegrity of the Union was never more ,n n,'
m nor more nearly unanimous than p
W. The extraordinary calmness and VI, WV
der withwhich the millions of voters IA .
It and mingled at the polls, gave ~,