Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-04-14
GOV. CURTIN's MES AGE IN FULL.
Pennsylvania to hO Prepared for War.

EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
HARRISBURG, April 8, 6l.
To The Senate and House Of Representatives of The
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
Gentlemen: As the period fixed for the adjourn
ment OF the Legislature is rapidly approaching
feel constrained by of duty to call your p {
tentiOn to the condition Of the military organize
tion of the State. Ii is scarcely Necessary to say
more than that the Military system of the State,
durirg long period'distinguished by the pursuits
otpeacefnl industry exclusively has become wholly
inefficient, and the interference OF the Legislature
Is required to remove its defects and TO render it
useful and available to the public service.
Many of our volunteer npanies do not possess
the number of men required by mi Itary la W
and steps should be forthwith taken supply these
deficiencies. Theresare numerous companies, too,
that are without necessary arms, and of the arms
that are distributed but few are provided with the
modern appliances to render them serViceable.
l recommend, therefore. that the Legislature
made immediate provisions for the removal of
these capital defects that arms be procured and
distributed to those CT citizens who may enter
into the military service of the State and that step
be taken 10 change the guns already distributed by
the adoption OF such well known and tried improve
ments as will render them effective in the event of
their employment in actual service.
In this connection, recommend the establish
ment OF Military Bureau at the Capital, and that
the militia laws of the Commonwealth be so modi-
izaton of the State the vitality and energy essential
to its practical value and usefulness.
Precautions, such az blye suggested, are wise
and proper at all times in Government like ours
But especial and moEentous considerations, arising
from the condition of public affairs outside the linn
its yet of IDCalculable consequence to the people
and demanding the gravest attention of the Leglsa-
ture of Pennsylvania, invest the subject to which
your attention is invited by their cOmmunica ton
with extraordinary interest and importance.
We cannot be insensible to the fact that serious
Jea uses and division distract the public mind and
that in portions of this Union the peace of the coun
try If not the safety OF the government itself is
dangered
Military organizations of formidable character.
which seem not to be demanded by any existing pub
cexgency has been formed in certain of the States
Ga whatever pretexts these extraordinary military
preparations may have been made, no purpose that
may contemplate resistance to the enforcement of
laws VIII meet symnathy or encouragement from
the people of this Commonwealth
Pennsylvania yields to no State in her respect for
and her willingness to protect, by all needful guar
anees, the constitutional rights and constitutional
independence of her sister States in fidelity to
that constitutional union, whose unexampled bene-
FITS have been showered alike upon herself and them
The most exalted public policy and the clearest
obligations OF true patriotism therefore, admonish
US, in the existing deplorable and dangerous crisis
OF affairs, that our militia system should receive
from the Legislature that prompt attention which
public exigences either of the State the nation
may appear to demand, and which may seem in
your wisdom best adapted to preserve and secure
80 the people of Pennsylvanis and the Union, the
blessing of peace and the integrity and stability of
our unrivalled Constitutional government.
The government Of this great State was establish
ed by its illustrious founder "in deeds of peace"
Our people have been trained and disciplined in
those arts which lead to the promotion of their own
moral and physical development and progress, and
with the highest regard for the rights of others,
have always cultivated frsternal relations with the
people of all the States devoted to the Constitution
and the Union and always recognizing the spirit of
concession and compromise that underlies the foun-
danon of the Government. E
Pennsylvania offers counsel and takes no SC
ton in the nature of menace. Her desire ia for
peace, and her object the preservation of the per-
sonal and political rights of citizens of the true
ereignty of States, and the supremacy Of law and
order.
. Animated by these sentiments and indplging an
earnest hope of the speedy restoration Of those har
monious and friendly relations between the various
members of this confederacy which have brought
our beloved country to condition Of unequalled
power and prosperity
Icommit the grave subject of this communication
% your deliberatiOn. [Signedl A. G. CURTIN.