Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1858-01-14

there should be no retrOgrade movement IN
Pennsylyania-no yelling to the impotent
clamor of Ignorance, selfshness or prejudice
In their attempts to stay its progress. These
one and all may denounce and condemn, but
virtue, patriotism, truth, bid you onward
Let the system be maintained in its unity
and usefulness let it be improved and per-
fecsed in its details but let no act Of yours
impair its strength, or mar the beauty and
harmony of its proportions.
B"sed as our institutions are on the will
of the people-dependent for preservation on
their virtue and intelligence knowledge
with us should occupy the high position to
which tbs SO pre-. eminently entitled. Know
ledge, founded upon the pure principles of
eternal truth, is the crowning glory of the
citlzen-the safeguard and defence of the
State. Education, full and free to all, is the
boon we ask for the children of the Common
wealth--lt is the duty, paramount to all
others, the State owes to her citizens The
subject, in all its relations, is warmly COM
mended to the generous care and patronage
of the Legislature.
Legislation, whilst properly encouraging
the development of the material wealth Of
the State, should recognize the still higher
obligation to improve the social, intellectual
and moral condition of the people. The
amelioration of human suffering, the refor-
nation of the erring, and the correction of
youthful viciousness, are objects that deserve
the attention of the philanthropist and
statesman. To secure these results, the ed
ueational, charitable and reformatory insti-
tutions of the Commonwealth should be fos,
tered and encouraged by liberal legislation
The reports of the State Luntic Hospital
at Harrisburg and the Western Pennsylva-
nio HncDitol tho
will be laid before you, and will exhibit in
detail their operations for the past year.
These institutions, in their objects and ro-
suits, merit and should receive our warmest
appreciation. The condition Of no class of
suffering humanity appeals with more thrill
ling power to our sympathies than that of
the insane. Ignorant of the frightful mala>
dy that oppresses them, shrouded in the
fearful gloom of mental darkness, and shut
out from the social joys of home and friends,
the aid of the benevolent and the benefac-
tlons Of the Commonwealth, should be liber-
ally and cheerfully given to them.
The House of Refuge in Philadelphia, and
the Western House of Refuge near Pitts
burg, again ask to share the bounty of the
Commonwealth. These schools for the err
ring, neglected and out-cast children and
youth of the State these homes where kind.
ness rules and love subdues the vicious and
incorrigible, should not be denied their re-
quest.
The "Blind" and the " Deaf and Dumb"
asylums at Philadelphia, and the Pennsylva-
MIA Training School for idiotic and feeble
minded children, present their annual claim
for your sympathy and aid. The darkened
eye, the silent tongue, and the weakened in
tellect, in sorrow and sadness, appeal to the
of the people for this BOOM
1t cannot be refused.
My views in relation to ''local, +" special"
and omnibus legislation" have been so fre'
quently expressed, in communications to the
Legislature, that their repitition now is un-
necessary. Such legislation, often so SUBJ
servious Of priyaterights-so detrimental to
the public interest, and generally so mischie-
vous in its consequences-should not be
encouraged or permitted.
The report of the Adjutant General will
be laid before you. II its valuable and
important suggestions, | invite your careful
l must again call the attention of the
Legislature to the subject of revising the
militia laws of the State. They are SO crude
und imperfect, in many of their provisions,
and obscure in some of their enactments,
that it Is difficult to discover the objects in
tended, or comprehend the duty enjoined.-
The powers and duties of the respective Off
GERS connected with the military organization
of the Commonwealth, should be more
clearly defined. Greater encouragement
should be given to the formation of vulun
teer companies the entire system should be
remodeled, and placed in position to be-
come alike honorable and useful to the State
The Select and Common Councils of the
City of Philadelphia, by an ordinance passed
the 7th day of April, 1856, and officially
communicated to the Legislature at their
last general session, proposed to convey to
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania lot of
ground, in that city, for the purpose of erect
ing an Arsenal thereon. BY the act of the
9th of May, 1857, the Governor was author
lied to accept from the Mayor of Philadel'
phia, under the seal of the Corporation, the
conveyance in fee simple Of the lot of ground
proposed to be donated to the Common
wealth, for the purpose indicated.
The conveyance was duly executed by the
Mayor on the Goth day of June, 1857, and
delivered and accepted on the 3lst day of
July following, as directed by the act. The
fourth section of the same act authorized
the Governor to apply the proceeds of the
sale of the Arsenal in Philadelphia
$4,000 00l to the erection of an Arsena
ON the lot of ground thus granted to the Com
monwealth. In pursuance of the authority
conferred, contract was made with skill
full and experienced Architect, for the erecI
tion and completion of the proposed Arsenal
to be large and commodius, and adapted to
the purpose intended. The building was
Immediately commenced under the direct
supervision of the Adjutant General, and is
now completed and ready for the reception
of the Arms, Military stores and equipments
of the Commonwealth. 1t is of brick, three
stories high, one hundred and eightytwo
feet front on Filbert street, and fifty feet in
depth. The foundation walls of stone, are
solid and massive. The cost of construction
did not exceed the appropriation. 1t is a
substantial and elegant structure and will
be safe depository for the public arms--an
ornament TO the city, and q credit to the
Commonwealth.