The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-05-09


ernor Curtin, sent to the Legislature OF
its meeting TO day in Extra Session:
The Governors Message.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER.
HARRISBURG, April, 30. 1861.
TO the Senate and House Of Representa-
tires Of tAc Commonwealth Of PennSW
aia.'
GENTLEMAN The present unparal-
led exigency 10 the affairs of our country
has induced me 10 call you together o;
this tiGe. With an actual and armed re.
bellon in some of the States Of the Union
momcUtous questions have been thrust
upon us, which call for Jour deliberstion,
and that you should devise means by Ie,
Eisstion for the maintenance of the au.
tbority of the General Government, the
hcnor and dignity OF our State, the pro,
lection of our citizens, aud the early es-
tatli-bment of peace and order through
out the land.
On the day Of ny Induction TO the ES-
ecutge Office, ! took occasion to utter the
following sentiment:
"No one who knows the history of
Pennsylvania. and understands the opin-
ions aud feelings of Der people, cap justly
charge US with hostility to our brethren
OF other States We regard them as
friends and fellow couutrymen, in whose
welfare We feel kindred interest; and
we recognize in their troadest extept, all
our Constitutional obligations to them.
These We are ready aud willing to OBJ
serve generously and fratcrnnly, in their
letter aud spirit. with answering fidelity.
Ours is a National Government. it
bas within the sphere of it. action all the
attributes Of sovereignty, and among these
are the right and duty Of self preservation.
1t is based upon a compact to which all
the people Of the United States are par.
ties. 1t is the result of mutual coUces-
sious. which were made fer the purpose
Of securinE reciprocal bene fits, 1t acts
directly on the PEOPLE. and they owe it
personal ailes glance. No part of the peo-
pie, no State, nor coz bination of States
can voluntarily secede from the Union.
nor absolye themselves from their obliga-
tons to it. To permit State to with
draw at pleasure from the Union, without
our g Government is failure. Penn syl-
sania can never acqalesce IN such a con-
spiraoY, nor assent to doctrine which
involves the destruction Of the Govern
meDt II the Government l. to exist, all
the requirements Of the Constitution mu-t
hare power adequate 10 the enforce ueDt
OF the supreme law Of the lsnd in every
State 1t is the frst duty of the Nation
al authorities TO stay the progress of anar-
chy and enforce the laws, and Penn-yl-
vaUis, with united people. will give them
an honest, faithful aud active support
The people mean to preserve the iDtegri-
ty Of tbe National Union at every baz-
ard"
1t would scarcely have been anticipated
at The time, that we should so soon be
called upon for the practical application
of these truth, in connection with their
support and defence, By the strong arm
of military power.
The uDe1aupled prouptness and en-
tbusiasm with which Pennsylvania and
the other loyal States have responded to
the call of the President, and the entire
uusuiuity With which our people demand
that the integrity of the Govcruuent shall
be preserved, illustrate the duty of the
several States and the National Govern
mcnts, with distiuctness that cannot he
disregarded.
The slaughter Of Northern troops in the
city Of Baltimore, for the pretended Of
fence Of marching, at the call Of Federal
Government. peaceably, over soil admit
edly in the Union, aud with the ultim ate
object of defending our common Capital
against an armed invasion, together With
the obstruction of our Pennsylvania troops
when despatched on the same patriotic
mission, impose new duties and responsi-
biIities upon our STATE Administration.
At last sdgices the General Govern
ueDt had military possession of the route
to Washington through Annapolis; but
the transit Of troops had been greatly en-
dsngered and delayed, aud the safety OF
Washington itself i'm niuentlJ threatened.
This cannot be- submitted to. Whether
Maryland may profess to be loyal to the
Union or otherwise, there can be permit
ted 20 hostile soil no obstructed thorough
fare between the States that ndoubtedly y
are loysl and their National seat OF Gov
ernwent.
There is reason to hope that the route
through Baltimore may be no longer close
ed against the peaceable passage of our
people, armed and 10 the service of the
Federal Government But We must be
fully assured Of this, aud have the uniD
interrupted enjoyment of passage to the
Capital by sBy and every route essential