The daily clarion. [volume] (Meridian, Miss.) 1863-1866, 1864-12-20

steady expansion Of population, i'm
provenent and governmental institu-
tions over the new and unoccupied por.
tions of our country, have scarcely been
checked, much less impeded or destroy
ed, by our great civil war, which, at first
glance, would seem to have absorbed al.
most the entire energies of the nation.
The organization and admission of the
State, of Nevada, hes been completed,
in conformity with law, and thus our ex-
cellent system is firmly established in
the mountains, which once seemed a
barren and uninhabited waste between
the Atlantic States and those which have
grown up on the coast of the Pacific
Ocean.
The territories Of the United States are
generally in condition OF prosperity
and rapid growth. Idaho and Montana 0,
by reason of their great distance, and
the interruption Of communication with
them by Indian hostilities, have been
only partially organized, but it is under
stood that these difficulties are about to
disappear, which will permit their Gov
ernments like those Of others, to go into
speedy and full operation.
As intimately connected with and pro-
motive of this marterial growth of the
nation, ask the attention of Congress
to the valuable information and impor-
tant Recommendation relating to the
public lands, Indian affairs, the Pacific
Railroad, and mineral discoveries con-
tanned in the report of the Secretary of
the interior, which is herewith trans
mitted, and which report also embrace
the subjects of patents, pensions, and
other topics of public interest pertain
ing to his department. -.
The quantity of public land disposed
of during the five quarters ending on the
Both of Sept. last, was 4, ,221, ,342 acres of
which 1885, ,6l4 acres were entered under
the homestead law. The remainder was
located with military land warrants and
agricultural scrip, certified to States 70
railroads, and sold for cash. The cash
from sales and location fees,
81, ,0l9, ,446. The income from sales
during the fiscal year, ending June 80,
1894, was $67 7,S00,721, against S13,607,-
795, received during the preceding year.
The,aggregate of acres surveyed during
he year has been equal to the quantity
of, and there is open to settle-
nent about 1873, ,000, 900 acres of surveyed
and.
It was recommended in my last annual
message that our Indian system be re-
Congress at its last session,
scting upon the recommendation, did
provide for reorganizing the system in
California, and tits believed that, under
he present organization, the MANAGE
nent of the Indians there will be at
ended with reasonable success. Much
ret remains to be done to provide for
,he proper government of the Indians in
,ther parts Of the country, to render it
,ecure for the advancing settler, and to
provide for the welfare of the Indian.
The secretary reiterates his recommen-
lations, and to them the attention of
Congress is invited.
| cheerfully commend to your contin
led patronage, the benevolent institu-
ions of the District of Columbia, which
lave hitherto been established or fos-
cred by Congress, and respectfully refer
or information concerning them, and in
citation to the Washington Aqueduct,
he Capitol, and other matters of local
interest, to the report Of the Secretary.
The war CONTINUES. Since the last an
lual message, all the important lines
nd positions then occupied by our
orces, have been maintained and our |
rmies have steadily advanced, thus lib
rating the regions left in the rear, SO
hat Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and
arts of other States have again pro-
uced reasonably fair crops. The most
emarkabIe feature in tho military OPP
rations of the year is General Sher-
nan's attempted march OF three hun
red miles, directly through the insur-
ent region. It goes to show a great in
rease Of our relative strength, that our
-en eral in -chiet should feel able to con-
ont and hold in check every active
,rce of the enemy, and yet detach a
ell appointed and large army to move
n such an, expedition. The result not
ct being known, conjecture in regard
, it is not here INDUCED.
Other important movements have also
ccurred during the year. to the effect
f NEEDING society for durability in the
Tnion. Although short of complete sue
ess, it is much in the right direction
nat 12,O00 citizens la each of the States
T Arkansas and Louisiana have orga.
lied loyal State Governments with free
and are earnestly strug
ling to maintain them. The movement
the same direction more extensive,
lough less definite, in Missouri, Ken
lcky, and Tennessee, should not be
But Maryland presents the
kample of complete success. Maryland
secure to liberty and Union for all the
Iture. The genius of rebellion will no
ore claim Maryland. Like another i
ul spirit, being driven out, it may seek !
tear her, but it will not WOO her no
ore.
At the last session of Congress, pro- J
,sed amendment of the Constitution
polishing slavery throughout the United '
ates passed the Senate, but failed, for {
ck of the requisite two-thirds vote in
e House of Representatives. II
Although the present is the same s
,ngress, and nearly the same members,
Ithout questioning the wisdom or pa
iotism OF those who stood in opposition, I
venture to recommend the reconside- 4
ton aud passage Of the measure at the c
esent session. Of course, the abstract
lestion is not changed, but an inter- t
ming election shows almost certainly
at the next Congress win pass the e
easure if this does not; hence there is "
ly question. of time as TO when the v
opposed amendment will 60 to the t
ates for their action; and as it is to go &
all events, may we not agree the d
,x.ar the battar IL is not claimed a
1t the election has imposed duty on G
3 members to change their views or 81
cir votes, any further than, as an ad- y
ional element to be considered, their F
lgment may be affected by it. It: is il