Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-10-03
LATEST NEWS.
The Address of the Governors Who Met
at Altoona to the President.
BY ELEGRAPH
TO TIE WORCESTER DAILY SPY.


at Altoona to the President.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1.-The following is the
address to the president of the United States
adopted at a meeting of governors of the loyal
states, held to take measures for the more ac-
tive support of the government, at Altoona,
Penn, on the oath day of September, 1862:
After nearly one year and half spent in
contest with an armed and gigantic rebellion
against the national government of the United
States, the duty and purpose of the loyal states
and people continue, and must always remain
as they were at its origin, namely: to restore
and perpetuate the authority of this govern
ment, and the life of the nation, no matter
what consequences are involved in our fideli-
ty. Nevertheless, this work of restoring the
republic, preserving the institutions of demo-
cratic liberty, and justifying the hopes and
tolls OF our fathers, shall not fail to be per-
formed; and we pledge without hesitation, to
the president of the United States, the most
loyal and cordial support, hereafter as hereto
fore, in the exercise of the functions of his
great Office.
We recognize in him the chief executive
magistrate of the nation, the commander In
chief of the army and navy of the United
5 ates, their responsible and constitutional
head, whose rightful authority and power, as
well as the constitutional powers OF congress,
the condition on which alone our form OF
government and the constitutional rights and
liberties of the people themselves can be saved
from the wreck of anarchy or from the gulf
of despotism In submission to the laws
which may have been, or which may be, duly
enacted, and to the lawful orders of the pres
ident, cooperating always in our own spheres
in the national government, we mean to
continue in the most vigorous exercise
of all our lawful and proper powers contend
ing against treason, rebellion and the public
enemies, and whether in public life Or in the
private station, supporting the arms of the
Union until its cause shall conquer, until final
victory shall perch upon its standard, or the
rebel foe shall yield dutiful and uncondition-
al submission.
And impressed with the conviction that an
army of reserve ought, until the war shall end,
to be constantly kept on foot to be raised,
armed, equipped, and trained at home, and
ready for emergencies, we respectfully ask
the president to call for such force of volun-
teers, for one years service, of not less than
one hundred thousand in the aggregate, the
quota of each state to be raised after it shall
have filled its quotas of the acquisitions al
ready made for volunteers and for militia.
We believe this would be measure of mill
tary prudence, while it would greatly promote
We hail with heartfelt gratitude and encour-
aged hope the proclamation of the president
issued on the 22d inst declaring emancipated
from their bondage all persons held to service
or labor as slaves, in the rebel states where
the rebellion shall last until the first day of
January ensuing. The right of any persons
to retain authority to compel any portion of
the subjects of the national government to re-
bel against it, or to maintain its enemies, i'm
plies, in those who are allowed the possession
of such authority, the right to rebel them
selves; and therefore, the right to establish
martial law or military government in a state
or territory in rebellion, implies the right and
the duty of the government to liberate the
minds of all men living therein, by appropriate
proclamations and assurances Of protection,
in order that all who are capable, intellectu-
ally and morally, of loyalty and obedience,
may not be forced into treason, as the willing
tool of rebellious traitors
To have continued indefinitely the most
efficient cause, support and stay Of the rebel
lion, would have been in our judgment unjust
to the loyal people whose treasure and lives
are made willing sacrifice on the altar of
patriotism; would have Disseminated against
the wife who is compelled to surrender her
husband, against the parent who is to surren-
der his child to the hardslIps of the camp
and the perils of battle, and in favor of rebel
masters, permitted to retain their slaves. 1t
would have been a final decision alike against
humanity justice, the right and dignity of the
government, and against a sound and wise
national policy. The decision of the presi-
dent to strike at the root of the rebellion, will
lend new vigOr to the efforts, and new life and
hope to the hearts of the people.
Cordially rendering to the president our re-
spectful assurances of personal and official
confidence, we trust and believe that the poll
cy now inaugurated will be crowned with sue
cess, will give speedy and triumphant victories
over our enemies, and secure to this nation
and this people the blessing and favor of AL
mighty God. We believe that the blood of
the heroes who have already fallen, and of
those who may yet give up their lives to their
country, will not have been shed in vain.
The splendid valor of our soldiers, their
patient endurance, their manly patriotism,
and their devotion to duty demand from us
and from all their countrymen the homage of
the sincerest gratitude and the pledge of our
constant reinforcement and support. A just
regard for these brave men whom we have
contributed to place in the field, and for the
importance of the duties which may lawfully
pertain to us hereafter, has called us into
friendly conference.
And now presenting to our national chief
magistrate this conclusion of our deliberations,
we devote ourselves to our cOuntry'S SER
vice, and we will surround the president in
our constant support, trusting that the fidelity
and zeal of the loyal states andpeople will al
WAYS assure him that he will be constantly
maintained in pursuing with vigor this war for
the preservation of the national life and the
hopes of humanity.
A. q. CURTIN,
A