The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1863-09-02
DAslEL LEE, Secretaries.
Governor Curtin.
JACOB EVANS, Pres'I.

claim credit for him because of the interest
which he alleged TO have shown in the or
ganiZalon, equipment and care of the State
volunteers. We are not disposed to under
value his services, or delract from any merit
TO which he may be fairly entitled, and we
admit that he has sometimes shown, and
oilen declared, his desire 10 promote the
comfort and efficiency of our soldiers His
advocates, however, must be cautious of
Claiming too much, for they thus compel
painful "reminiscences OF Eis conduct on
several occasions, W hich they, themselves,
condemned as infamous. For instance ::
the equipment: of the three months men
was DO imperfect and inefficient, hat the ge-
neral voice denounced the culpable care
iessness everywheIe apparent, ,and the gross
corruption partially proved, which sent our
troops into the field clothed in rotten shod-
dy, with blankets like paper, shoes with
soies glued on, in all respects, i'll provided
Tor the unaccuslomed hardships and expos.
ure which they were compelled 10 encoun-
ter. So extreme was this error or so gross
$500 ~-'eAot auot tiiS hiOtuOy 6CU6Idl, MT.
Purviance, felt it dae 20 his character to re-
sign his Office and disclaim all connection
with the Governor, or responsibility for his
conduct, or completely with the criminals
who crowded the Capitol. The newspa-
Pers, now prominent in Governor Cunin's
support, then denounced him with reIent-
less ferocity SO excessive, as TO excite our
sympathy, and 10 induce US to defend him
by declaring that the devil was not half SO
black as he was painted. The Philadelphia
Inquirer, nowithe Governors special organ,
in the summer o. 1861, devoted column on
column, day after day, To detailed disclos-
ures o. the incompetency, meanness and
corruption, which were boldly charged as
treason TO the Stale and cruelty to her SOL
diers. When our troops arrived al Wash
ihgtou, aud contrasted themselves with
those from other States, which had made
due provision for their comfort, health and
efficiency, their just indignation was bound
lees. The result was soon apparent-sick-
ness appeared 10 an alarming extent, deaths
were numerous, UNIVERSAL dislrust prevailed
In a month our men were half naked, and
large numbers of them physically incompe-
tent for the performance of duty. Chiefly
in consequence of this, General Patterson's
ragged and barefoot regiments were unable
or unwilling 10 remain in service beyond
their period of enlistment. This prevented
Gen. Johnston's being attacked or held in
check, and he was allowed TO join Beaure-
gard at Bull Run, at the critical moment
when the rebels were half beaten and about
TO be crushed by M DowelPs army. In
sianily these fresh troops attacked our ex-
hausted forces and changed The fortune of
the day; aud what is ranscen dently more
important, changed the character of the
contest, gave the rebels the position before
the world, and immediate recognition as
bellgerents. If we had beaten them at
Bull Run they would never have borrowed
dollar, they could never have raised an
army, their leaders could not have conlroll-
ed the people, and probably South Caroli-
ma would soon have stood alone iusresist-
ance TO the Federal authority. The defeat
~ Ouil Nun GA PohoO0 Pdlldl
ton into general rebellion, and has thus
cost numbered thousands of lives and mil
ions OF treasure. In war, small causes of
ten produce great results. But the failure
TO attack Johnston did not arise from small
cause. 1t was an enormous wrong that the
brave volunteers of the rich and powerful
State of Pennsylvania should have been
sent like paupers to the ield-that wanlon
suffering should have been inflicted on
them-ihat their powers should have been
paralysed when every energy was needed
and that, thus, the honor of the State was
sullied, and The vital interests of the nation
sacrificed
1t is said, in defence OF Gov. Curtin, that
he had no direct concern in the purchases
made for the volunteers, and that the busi-
ness was novel and done in haste, that he
fell into the hands of spectators, legislative
borers, pedders, needy advanturers and un
scrupulous politicians. and that this gang OF
miscreanls betrayed his confidence AID
cheated the public. We give to him the
benefit of these statements which amount,
III ChoSt, " q sCtoiSt Va HdhAy on0 ACCOhA-
mendation 10 mercy. 1t is not as private
gentleman, who has a right to be foolish,
but as G0rsrnor, bound to be wise, that he
is on trial, and it might be unjust to join the
Republicans of Allegheny and other coun-
ties in charging their candidate with having
soiled his hands with personal plumber. 1t
is enough 10 say, that the man whose con-
duct has disgraced The Commonwealth and
largely contributed 10 ruin the Republic,
has proved himself unfit for the great trust
in which is involved the happiness, safety
and prosperity of millions.
The efficiency which he thus exhibited
at the commencement of the contest, per-
vaded his entire administration, and was
consistently conspicuous in the last fatal er-
ror-when he supinely stood by and per-
mitted the rebels to ravage Pennsylvania
But TO this we shall call attention hereafter,
and we think we can prove that Gov. Curtin