Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-02-06
FROM THE UNITED
STATES.
We continue our extracts from United S
papers Of the 3lSt.
A SPEECH FROM SEWARD.


We continue our extracts from United States
papers Of the 3lst.
A SPEECH FROM SEWARD.
WAsntysroN, January 29.-The Christian Com
mission held meeting ia the Hall, OF Representa-
tiyes tonight. The hOOr and galleries were dense
" crowded and very many persons were unable 10
gain admittance. Among the prominent auditors
were the President Of the United States aud mem
berS o. the Cabinet. Secretary Seward presided
On taking che Oba! he said:
..In coming once more into these halls OF the
nations Legislature, although for 0nly an occasion
al purpose my thoughts revert 10 the clrcumStah-
rrs und,r which LETT them. -Four wears ago mis-
guided giSlators had found the long delayed occa
sion, and had organized fearful rebellion. They
had appointed their leader bad seized by surprise
Important forts, ports and places, and thfF
armies we're marching into the held one al
ter another. The eOnspiFatorS then threw on
the mask and departed from the Capital, hurting
back curses and defiance against the Govern
ment Foreign nations, confOunded by the bold
ness OF the instruction, prepared 70 acknowledge
divided empire. On the side of the Government
was seen and heard only alarm aud confusion. I'm
avaing appeals 20 reelection and propositions for
cancellation came forth from every section OF
country which regarded fIatriclda' war as the
creates Il curse and most irTerievable Of calqmes.
The people called first upon the outgoing President
and then upon tbs INCOMING President, and then
sureeSsiyey upOn each Of our ETaveSi Generals and
most honored statesmen 10 save the Union, and ~
save it quickly and by Que master stroke To these
frahtic appeals only one truthful answer could be
0iyen or was given. That answer was, by no one
act and by no one man, could the Union lie saved.
II could be saved only by the voluntary, energetic,
heroic aud persistent effort OF THO whole people,
Tho people promptly arose 70 make that supreme
effort They nave faithfully persevered iD n, and
il is now soon 20 he successful. Lost forts, ports
and places, without which the inSurreeton cannot
succeed, have been regained.
- he ala11in has. han
lifted and east ont and We wait only St the hands of
the rebels for the submission which, however de-
ayed necessarily follows military defeat and over
throw. In this achievement fhe people OF the Uni
ted States have not waited TO follow but they have
zone before the executive the legislative andthS u
dicial authorities of the Government ! have here
toore borne nv testimony to this popular energy in
the departments of war, finance and politics. But
the war has opened another held OF activity ana Ia
bora field not less important aud interesting
than those which usually lie directly in review
That field Is the department Of charity. VIC have,
here in our country established church or Tecog
nized ecclesiastical authority. They iaunt US with
mot even recognizing God in our National Consti-
tuition All effort, all association, ana ali subnis-
sion. Is purely voluntary.
Nevertheless, the Christian Commission ana the
sanitary Commission, working together in perfect
harmony, unorganized, unpaid, 1nprompted, ana
even unnoticed by the government nave cuitI,a-
ted the broad field to which | nave averted with
complete and full success. They have left no
wounds or sickness or sorrows unhealed ANA I'M
relieved which could be reached by any other than
a Divine hand. 1 have consented to tase tue cnair
only because ii affords me fitting opportunity to
proclaim my sincere conviction that the charities OF
this the greatest and most fearful OF all civil wars
though voluntarily rendered. have nevertheless been
administered by the Christian people OF the nited
States without any sacreigious holding back, ana
in spirit of lofty patriotism and pure ana undenleo
religion -,
Cseorqe IL Stewart made q statement, by which
il appears the Christian Commission received du-
ring the pa$ year So $50 900 IN cash and stores,
which makes the total receipts since the organiza-
ton 6ver 81, 600, 600.
The Amricqn'S ''news' column contains the fol-
lowing items of intelligence
We publish this morning special order. from
General Sherman, setting apart ''the islands from
Charleston south the abandoned rice fields along the
rivers for thirty miles back from the sea, and the
country bordering the St. John river, Florida ior
the settlement of the enfranchsed negroes. BY tie
terms of the order the blacks at Beaufort, Hilton
Head Savannah, Fernandina, ST. Augustine ana
Jacksonville are permitted TO remain an their
sscboosen or accustomed vocations,o but on the
islands and IN the proposed settlements lhey
are. TO have the sole and exclusive manage
ment Of affairs, white person betty permitted
10 reside among them except military ohicerS ana
soldiers detailed for duty. Any three respectable
ncerces heads Of families, may designate an islana
or defined locality which shail 'heh DC SET ePsl'
e. Thorn and such others as may wish toJom thcm
S rb6iyided into lots of forty acres to each faIn-
;lv with limit of eight hundred feet of water front
,SiI.n borderipg on water channel. The young
and abie.bciied among them are to be encouraged
to enlist in the military service oil the Iheu
and duIv organized but such service, or service on
board the g1hboats, in fishing Orsn the nayigatGn
Of the inland waters, will no; interfere with the t'e
Of such PERSONS to land or other privileges belong
/ ing to the system.
A considerable number Of the French BISHOPS Piy
tested against the decree of the Government which
forbids the PRONUNCIATION Of the Pepe's bncychSai.
Tive Bishops have read the Enoyclical from the,'
pupits. On the other hand, an Italian Cardinal
4 Andrea, has ayowed his opposition to the Bull
The Boston Post correspondent, writing from
Washington, says:
i The Committee on Elections have decided 10 al
NIT the New Orleans Representatives nom Louisi
ana. M. Fields addressed very humble letter u