The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-10-07
A Thrilling sketch.

"Seated in my Office one day shortly
after the fall of Sumter" said Col. Mont.
gomery, editor of the Vicksburg Whig,
Il was interrupted by an old gentleman,
familiar acquaintance, who came in as
vas his custom on returning from hia
plantation up the river. to learn ,he latest
news from the North. He was man of
venerable appearance, PAST tie allotted
threescore and ten, his hair white with
the SHOWS of many winters, and his hear
ing somewhat impaired by the fight of
of years. He had been up to his planta-
tion for a week or ten days, where he
worked some three hundred niggers, aud
during that time had not heard anything
of the mighty events that were succeed
ing each other with lightning rapidity in
those early days of the Rebellion. There.
fore, Immediately upon his return to the
city, he called at my sanctuns to learn the
news which had been received during his
absence. U
Il sat down before him and began 10
read the latest telegraphic dispatchss.-a
Among others: eco sft a.s asJes5
"'President Lincoln has called o4s
seventy fUe thousand men for term Of
service not to e.rceed three monthsH sa
"The old mans face frightened up:
Thank God 7 he fervehtly calculated.
That looks as if the President was in
earnest May he be endowed from on
high with that wisdom and courage which
these trying times demand. af
"After some other stirring items Of
news, came to the replies of the sev.
eral Governors, in response to the Presi.
dents call for the quotas Of their respect
i've States, which had been received from
Washington but the day before. We at
that time continued to have regular tele.
graphic communication with the North.
From the Governor of Missouri -
Mi souri, will not furnish one man for
this unholy war! Kentucky followed
in similar spirit of loyalty AS | ran
down the column, one Safe after another;
Massachusetts, New York. Ohio, Illinois
I--all the loyal States promising their
RESPECTIVE quotas, came upon the dis
patch from Pennsylvania '1'5~
"'Pennsylyanu mm furnish her full
quota, and, If needed, three hundred
thousand more ,-,,, .,.:-, ..,. ..-e4.
....s - ANDREW G. CURTIN
"The old man rose quickly, trembling
with excitement, fearful that be had net
nghtly y understood the language of tho
dispatch, but yetwith an eager hope ex-
pressed upon bis coun.euance that he
might not be mistaken. Coming up close
TO my chair, holding bis hand to his oar,
and leaning eagerly forward to catch every
syllable-'W What--what did ron read
there What does Pennsylvania sayi
Read agaiu--Im afraid / didn't under.
stand-Tm getting so deaf, you know.
Who is it? Again!' -d..- ..ss
II read slowly-.rag -re. .fr-.4
"tPENNsYETANIA WILL FURNISH HER
FULL QUOTA, AND. IF NEEDED, THREE
HUNDRED THOUSAND MORE, r.F
[Signcd] "ANDREWG.CU CURTIN.
ut was enough. He had understood
Alright The old patriarch leaned back
IN the seat he had resumed, closed his
eyes, raised his trembling hands to heav-
en-, and, while the tears trickled down his
furrowed cheeks, he prayed in fervid and
eloqueu ut language from his heart of hearts
thatGod would especially bless this brave,
far seeing. hope.inspiring Governor; that
he would give him wisdom to discern the
right path, and strength to pursue il;
that he would be with him in the day of
sorest need, and uphold his hands in the
hour of our Nations direst extremity.
The heart of the aged patriarch was
too full He had heard enough. / read
him no more. But his prayers and thoss
of thousands aud tens of thousands Of
Union men throughout the South, ~
whom the cheering words of your Cow
ernor came as the first sweet promise of
hope, have been heard and answered 10
the extraordinary exertionsi which Penn.
sylyanis has put forth since this rebellion
burst upon US. Your Governor has been
sustained and blessed, Lis hands have
been upheld eg,. aaI
"Aud now, voters. the promise of his
mighty legions, cheering the hearts of our
Union men, was the first ray of sunshine
to penetrate the midnight gloom settling
around Us Many changes have takeu.
place since then many victories havs
heen won; much territory has been re-
until now the storm of war
seems TO have spent its fury, aad thsi
gloom to be fast Disappearing Shaha
these clouds again roll up? Shall this
Cimmerian gloom again come back ? Or
will yon send TO stannch Southern Union
men the news that will cause he spnlof
our grand political system to burst fotthy
-, lie clam ohaddinn q sauin., teeA ~.