Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-05-09

mon defence and general welfare Of the State
and the nation in this emergency; ana the tenn
purary lean of five hundred thousand dollars
authorized by the Act of the General Assemb-
! ly Of the 18th April, 1861 was promptly taken
| at par. The money is not yet exhausted as
| it has been impossible 10 have the accounts
properly audited and settled with the account
| ing and paying officers of the government as
required by law, all Gccoun: Of this eXpendi-
ture cannot now be furnished. The Auditor
General and State Treasurer have established
| a system Of settlement and psymeEt of which
| entirely approve, that provides amply for
the protection OF the State, and to which all
parties having claims will be obliged to con.
form
A much larger sum will be required than
has been distinctively appropriated; but !
could not receive nor make engagements for
money without authority of law, and l have
called you together, not ouly to provide for a
complete re organization Of the militia of the
State, but also, that you may give me author.
| ity to pledge the faith Of the Commonwealth
to borrow such sums of money as you may, in
your discretion, deem necessary for these ex-
traordiuary requirmeuts
1t is Impossible to predict the lengths to
! which " the madness that rules the hour in
the rabellious States shall lead US, or when
the calamites which threaten our hitherto
| happy cOuGtTy shall terminate. We know
| that many of our people have already left the
! State ia the service CT the General Govern
ment and that many more must follow. We
! have a loEs line Of border Oh States seriously
| disafccted, which should be protected. To
furnish ready support to those who have gone
out, and to p.otect oar borders we shcald
| have well regulated military force.
|, therefore, recommend the immediate Or
gaizaton, disciplinng and arming of at least
fifteen regiments of cavalry aud infantry, ex-
elusive of those called into the service of the
/ United States; as we have already ample
warning Of the necessity Of being prepared for
any sudden exigency that may arise. | cannot
! too much impress this upon you.
| cannot refrain from aIud;ug to the gen
eroas manuer in which the people of all parts
/ Of the State have from their private means,
/ provided for the families OF those of our citi-
ZenS who are now under arms In many parts
of the Commonwealth, Grand Jurjes, and
Courts, and municipal corporations have recon-
mended the appropriations Of moneys from
their public funds, for the same commendab!e
purpose. | would recommend the passage Of
al Act !egaliE;ng aId authorizing sach ap-
| preparations and expenditures.
1t may be expected that in the present de-
raAgement Of trade and commerce, aud the
withdrawal or So much industry from its ordi-
nary and productive channels, the selling value
of property generally will be deprecated, and
4 large portion Of our citizens deprived of the
! ordinary means Of meeting engagements. Al.
thOGgh much iorbearanCe may be excepted from
Il generous and magnanimOHS people, yet |
feel it my duty to recommend the passage Of q
judlciOuS law TO prevent the sacrifice of pro
perty by forced sales in the collection OF deLts
on meet together at this special session
surrounded by circumstances Involving the
most solemn responsibilities; the rccOections
of the glorieS of the past, the reflections of the
gloomy present and The uncertainty Of the "a,
ture, all alike call upon YOU to discharge your
duty in a spirit Of patriotic courage, compre
hensve wisdom and firm resolution. Never in
the history of our peace loving Commonwealth
have the hearts of oar people been so stirred in
! their depths as at the present moment. And,
| | feel that / need hardly saE to You. that in
the performance Of your duties on this occa-
sion and in providing the WAYS and means for
! Jne maintenance OF or country EiOfy ana our
integrity rs a nation, you should be inspired
10y feelings OF SrifsacrIdce, kindred to those
which animate the brave men who have deyot.
ed their lives to the perls of the battle field, in
defence OF our nations ilng.
Gentlemen, place the honor OF the State
in your hands And pray that the Almighty
| God, who protected our fathers in their efforts
to establish this our great constitutional liber.
ty-who has controlled the growth of civiIizq-
ton and christianity in our midst, may not now
rorsake us; that II may watch over your coun,
sells, and may, in His providence, lead those
who have lett the path of duty, and are acting
in open rebellion to the government, back
again to perfect loyalty, and restore peace, har
mony, aud fraternity to oar distracted country.
A G. CURTIN.