Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1865-12-13

, ton of this amen iment is delayed, so long
will doubt, and jealousy and uncertainty pre-
vail. This is the measure which will effsce
the sad memory of the past this is the meas
ure which will most certainly call population
and capital and security to those parts OF the
Union that need them most. Indeed, it is not
too much to ask of the States which are now
resuming their places in the family OF the
Union to give this pledge Of perpetualloyalty
and peace. Until it is DONE the past, howev-
er much we may desire it. will not be forgot
ten The adoption of the amendment reu-
mites us beyond all power of disruption. it
heals the wound that is still imperfectly clos
ed: it removes slavery. the element which has
SO long perplexed and divided tie country 1t
makes of us once more united people, renew
ed and strengthened, bound more than ever to
mutual affection and support.
The amendment to the Constitution being
adopted. it would remain for the States, whose
! powers have been SO long in abeyance, to re-
su,ne their places in the two branches OF the
national Legislature, and thereby complete
the work of restoration. Here 1t is for you,
fellow citizens of the Senate. and for you. fei-
citizens of the House of Representatives,
to Judge, each of you for yourselves, OF the
elections returns and qualifications OF your
own members.
The full assertion of the powers OF the gen
eral government requires the holding of Cir
cuit Courts of the United States within the
districts where their authority has been inter-
rupted In the present posture of our public
affairs strong objections have been urged 10
holding those courts in any of the States where
the rebellion has existed and, 1t was ascer-
taned by inquiry, that the Circuit Court OF
the United States would not be held within
the District of Virginia during the autumn or
early winter, nor until Congress shall nave
San onnortunity to consider and act on the
whole subject To your deliberations the
restoration of this branch of the civil adthor-
ity of the United States is therefore necessa-
rilv referred, with the hope that early provl-
sion will be made for the resumption oi al us
functions Ii is manifest that treason most
faprant in character, has been comitted., fer-
sons who are charged with its commission
hill haze fair and impartial trials in the
HIGHEST cicil tribunals of the country, IN order
,bo. the Constitution and the laws may fully
vindicated: the truth clearly established and
affirmed that treason is a crime, thai. traitors
sbopld he punished and the offence made IN
f.mous and at the same time that the ques
t;on NAV be iudically sett ed, finally ana for
ever. that no State, of its owu VIII, mas the
! right to reuounce its place in the Union.
But while have no doubt that now,
after the close OF the war, 1t is not COM
petent for the general government to ex.
tend the elective franchise in the several
: States, it is equally clear that good faith
requires the security of the freemeu IN
their liberty and their property, their
right to labor, and their right to claim
, the lust return of their labor | cannot
: too strongly urge a dispassionate treat
ment of this subject which should be
carefully kept aloof from all party strife.
We must equally avoid hasty assumptions
of any natural impossibility for the two
races to live side by side, in state OF
mutual benefit aud good will. The ex-
pertinent involves us in no Inconsistency !;
let us then, go ou and make that expert
ment in good faith, and not be easily dis
hear,ened. The country is in neod OF la
ho-. and the freedmen are IL need OF ell
nlovment. culture, and protection. While
their right of voluntary migration and
eypatriation is not to sbe questioned, l
wou,d not advise their forced removal and
and colinization. Let US rather encour-
ago them to honorable and useful indus
try. where it may be beneficial to them
selves and to the county; and, instead OF
hastv antieipations of the certainty oil
,,;lnre let there be nothing wanting to
the fair trial of the experiment. The
change in their condition IS the suoSt'tu,
tiou of labor by contract tor the status OF
slavery. The freedmen cannot fairly &c
accused of unwillinguess to work 50 Ions
ao,b. remains about his freedom of
choice in his pursuits, and the certainty
of his stimulated wages. In this the In
terests of the employer and the employed
coincide. The employer desires In his
workman spirit and alacrity, and these can
be ncrmanently secured in no other way,
And if the one ought to be able to en-
force the contract, SO ought the other
The nublic interest will be best promoted
If the several States will provide adequate
protection and remedies for the freedmen.
Until this is in some way accomplished
,ba-a 10 no change for the advantageous
use of their labor, AMI the blame OF i'll
success will not rest on them.
The lamentable events OF the last four
vcars and the sacrifices made by the gal
ant men of our army and navy, have
swelled the records of the Pension Blu.
reau to an unprecedented extent. On the
Both day Of June last, the total number
f of pensioners was S5,9S6, requiring for
their anual pay, exclusive of expenses,
the sum OF IS, ,023, ,445. The number OF
applications that have been allowed since
that date will require large increase OF
, this amount for the next fiscal year. The
; means for the payment of the stipends
due under existing laws, to our disabled
soldiers aud sailors, and to the families el
such as have perished in the service OF
. the country, will no doubt be cheerfully
+ and PROMPTLY granted. Agratefu people
will not hesitate to sanction any measures
having for their object the relief of sol
, diers mu.;lated and families made father
less in the efforts to preserve our rational
, existence.
In the report of the Secretary of War
: g tha