The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1863-09-08
A Fresh Chapter Of History
" that Governor Curtin
did in April, ISGf.

What Governor Curtin
did in April, ISGf.
The Philadelphia Press furnishes
the following in reference TO an impor
tant event in the history of the war
When the red hand Of rebellion
was raised against the government,
the people Of the country were appall
ed. The nation, SO TO speak, was ap-
parrently powerless for time. Our
ships-of-war had been sent to the
North bad either been robbed or re-
relieved of their little garrisons. The
small army Of two thousand FIVE hun
dred United States regulars had been
sent South, under the command Of
the meanest OF traitors, Gen. Twiggs,
by the order Of the band of conspira-
tors, who, though solemnly sworn to
support the Constitution, were ploti-
ing to overthrow it. The country
then was filled with gloom Presi-
dent Lincoln had very recently been
sworn into his high and responsible
position, surrounded as he was then
by few armed soldiers and patriotic
citizens, who sprang TO such arms as
they could readily obtain. Treason
faunled its red flag all over Washing
ion at that period 1t was then hat
President Lincoln called around him
the governors of the loyal States TO
advise with them on the desperate ma.
ture of the emergency.
They met in the White House
.Gentlemen, said the President to that
little party Of patriotic men, 'tle ma
chinery Of the nation is out of order.
We must run it as we find il. IT.
wheels, It's rods, belts are separated,
but the boiler seems to be perfect
We must repair the work with such
skill and ingenuity as we possess
There is wisdom in council and
therefore, | have called you that we
may reason together. What shall
we do TO crush this foul rebellion and
preserve the country from wreck |
have made up my mind, with an i'm
plicit confidence in an oyerruling
Providence, to meet all emergencies
that may arise. ~ hat shall / do
about issuing a proclamation to the
people?
"The President, with his hands
folded behind his back, paced up and
down the apartment. The six or
seven Governors who formed his au-
ditors, were wrapped in meditation
Each expressed his opinion, but their
sentence were punctuaied with 100
many IFS or ands'
awhile all this was going on, Gov
ernor Curtin, fresh from his Pennsyl-
vania home, was standing at the win
dow looking through the panes, upon
which he was drumming with his fing-
ers, while al tie same time he was
bumming Hail Columbia He was
an attentive listener 10 all that was
going on. lie bad not yet been APP
preached by the President. Present
" there was profound silence.
{" Mr. Lincoln finally broke the si.
lent spell. and, turning to Mr.. Curtin.
said Andy, what viii Pennsylvania .
do if issue my proclamation"
"Silence still more profound pre-.
vailed. II was momenlous question,
II seemed as If the fate Of the country
depended upon the reply about to be
made.
Gov. Curtin, still drumming on the
paues With bis fingers as aforesaid,
turned, faced the President. and with
uplified hands said
What will Pennsylvania do -
Here lie paused.
Do = another pause.
Why, sir, with emphasis) il you
issue your proclamation Penasylva-
MIA viii foraish you one hundred
lbousand meh II a week =