The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-06-10

Gov. CURTIN IN RAvENNA.-Ihe GoVern- |
or of Pennsy. .vania arrived in Ravenna on
Saturday at noon, on special train on the A.
& G. w. R. R. He was conducted to the
Collins House, and until the departure of the
1923 D. NJ train for Pittsburgh, on the G. q
P. R. R., held public reception, and large
numbers of our citizens had the pleasure of
taking by the hand the energetic and
patriotic Governor of the great State of
Pennsylvania. AS the time for his departure
drew near, Gov. Curtin in response to wish
generally expressed, made brief address to
the people, in front of the Collins House,
saying substantially
"Mayor Norton of Ravenna, and gentle
men of Ohio am greatly pleased to meet
with you and talk with you few moments.
I did not come here to make a speech. l
have been in Western Pennsylvania and am
on my way to Pittsburgh 1 am highly
pleased with Ohio and her noble work to
save our glorious Government. Bordering as
Ohio does upon Pennsylvania our interests
and our obligations have ever been the same.
And now that vie and wicked men are plot
ting to destroy this glorious Government,
formed as it was, by the intelligence, and es-
tablished by the blood of our Fathers, and by
them handed down to US as sacred inher-
tance, every loyal heart should beat in unison
for its presery alton. This is not time for
party We have but one National Govern
ment-but one President, or national head
and we shall not have for two years to come.
There can be no other until the expiration of
the terms of the present Administration
and another is elected in the Constitutional
way provided by our Fathers. 1t is the high
est duty of every loyal American citizen to
give his undivided support to the President in
his struggle to preserve our Government. l
am not making political speeches, neither
should I be, if was in my native State,
Pennsylvania shall retire from public life
when my term of Office expires. L think l
shall never enter the political field again. I
was born in Pennsylvania. l have lived
there, expect to die there, and by the blessing
of God, I hope to be buried there. I hope
my heart is large enough to love the whole
nation The blood of eur patriot soldiers
the noble sons of Ohio and Pennsylvania, up
on the direful field has mingled together in
its flow for the defense of our common coun-
try. Their bones lie side by side, moulder-
ing, in consequence of this unholy rebel
lion. Should we allow their remains to lie
in foreign land, we should be but base cow
ards. Our country is worthy, and now de-
mands our united efforts and the sacrifice of
our lives if need be for its preservation. 1
hope there is no American citizen base enough
to desire to survive this glorious republic.
1t is useless to talk of peace with traitors in
rebellion against so great and benignant gov
eminent as ours. Peace is submission. Sub
mission is base servility and dishonor. AL
though our armies have not been as success
full as might have been desired, yet there is
no cause for desponding Rather than that
my native State, with her beautiful hills, and
fertile valleys, and all that hold dear in life,
sink to rise no more. Citizens of Ohio, thank
ing you for your attention and trusting in
your patriotism and loyalty, take my leave
of you. Mayor Norton proposed three cheers
for the Union and Governor Curtin-which
were given with enthusiasm, and the pleas
ant, profitable and welcome conference with
the Governor was at an end.
This little episode in the current of every
day life was refreshing indeed, for few men
| have done greater and none nobler work
for the country, the Union, and the soldier
than the Governor of Pennsylvania.