Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-07-11


to the following letter of Mr.! Cook Duncan
to the Berichter, in relatiofi to the ally
charges against Gov. Curtin,
Governor Curtin.
Frederick Krtz:
DEAR SIR There is one point uoon which
we all agree: that under the existing diff
ctties in our country, large proportion OF
the reports so iEdustriously circulated, are
utterly untrue.
How often do we hear even the best in
formed say, that one half now printed and
spoken. is without the least shadow of truth,
and only calculated to mislead the public
mind, and to some extent endanger the sta
bility of one of the best governments in the
Universe.
am led to make thess remarks from the
fact that our COUNTY Is full of vague ana un
founded rumors, and believed too, by many
wo!thy and upright citizens, who desire
nothing but truth, ard who woGld scorn to
circulate a falsehood | wish to direct the
attention of such to the report now in circus
lation about Gov. Curtin One serious charge
is that the Governor bas got to drinking, and
is untitled to attend to business
As have had good opportunity during
the past winter and spring, to ascertain the
truth Of those grave charges, having seen the
Governor almost daily, both in public and
private, can most unhesitasingly assert that
these reports are false. and without the least
shadow of truth.
am confident no one can be found who,
upon his own responsibility. will charge that
department of Gov. Curtin, since his iuaugu.
ration, has not been that OF a gentleman and
worthy citizen, well supporting the dignity
of Chief Magistrate of the great State Of
Pennsylvania. Let persons who are not
willing to receive this truthful statement, go
to Harrisburg, where the delusion of such
disgraceful stories will soon be dispelled
l will now avert few facts connected
with cur present difficulties. On Arril II.
Fort Sumpter was bombsrded. The evening
of the same day the news was tslegraphed to
Harrisburg accompanying this startling in
telligence, came dispatch summoning Gov.
Curtin to Washington City, On Monday
morning following, the President issued his
our national Capital. From this hour COM
menced the most arduous duties ever devolVs
ing upon an Executive and Heads Of Depart
ments since the formation of our government.
Gov. Curtin returned from Washington on
Tuesday morning, April 10th. Ou Tuesday
afternoon voluu esrs commenced marching
into Harrisburg; on Wednesday over 1000
reached that point; aud ON Thursday be-
tween four and FIVE thousand had arrived
This farge body OF men he'd to be provided
with provisions and clothing-a majority
having cCme without any protection, save
the clothing on their persons. Every avail
able blanket in Harrisburg was purchased
and distributed among the volunteers. The
Governor sent to Philadelphia for supply Of
blankets; when they reached him, some
were found damaged and of inferior quality.
Yet, what was to be done? There was no
time to make contracts; No time to return
| damaged blankets /; thousand of soldiers were
there suffering from the inclemency of the
cold and wet. with occasional snow storms.
| Now, under all these circums tauces, should
| net our citizens be willing to make some al
| owance?
No one acquainted with the trials and diff
fculties by which nur State administration
was surrounded. and the energy and zeal
they manifested in attending to the wants
and comforts of our volunteers, will be infu-
enced by such vile and slanderous reports
circulated in many instances only by those
disappointed in obtaining Office under the
| administration. Et should also be remem.
bered that many of the complaints charged
upon Gcv. Curtin. referred to the camps a,
Chambersburg, York, Lancaster, &c., over
which be had no control whatever, they be
ing under the direction of the General Gov
ernn1ent. The only camps in Pennsylvania
controlled by our State Government, were
the camps ut Harrisburg and Piitsbrrg about
which there have been no complaints.
There are other points desired to refer
to, but as this letter is already quite lengthy
I will close, by adding that have no wish
to offer an apology for the guilty, bat think
it great injustice to condemn any set of men
without some better evidence than the coun'
try now possesses. will just add that
have no other object further than TO state
what believe to be strictly true; this is my
only desire, having no private ends'to serve,
it being well known by many of my intimate
friends that early in the session of last win
ter, had determined that under 70 circum-
stances would again be candidate
WV. G. DUNCAN.
Miilheim, June 81, 1867.
Two ~, Woo