The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-04-23
Message of Governor Curfin---
He Declines to be a Candidate
for Reflection.


thereto, his Exceliency the Governor, in
a brief and patriotic message, announced
his intention Of retiring from the service
of the State at the close of his present
term. In so announcing, he takes occa-
sion to recapitulate the part Pennsylvania
has borne in the present war, which he
does with equal modesty and truth. His
own part in these works has been so
prominent-he has been so constantly and
unsclishly the friend of the Administra-
tion-iD times of danger he has been so
prompt, that the history of Pennsylvania
and her struggles for the cause is nothing
more than the history of the Governor :
administration. In announcing his re-
tirement, Governor CURTIN can feel that
he has executed his duty ikea faithful pub
lie servant, of whom it may truly be said,
We'll done" Here IS the message:
Executive CHAMBER, HARRISBURG,
April 10, 1868.
To he Senate and House of' Representatives.
of'he Communicable of Pcnnsyieania
GENTLEMEN In taking leave Of you at
the close of the session, | think It proper
under existing circumstances, to 60 beyond
the usual formalities.
The partialitv Of my fellow citizens
placed me in the Office which l now hold
at a period cf great public distraction
which soon eliminated in the breaking
out of the rebellion which is still raging.
The country had so long slumbered in
unbroken tranquility, that we had in this
State almost forgotten the possibility of
any violation OF our domestic peace
Even our militia laws had been suffered to
fall into disuse, aud were reduced to a
merely permissive organization of a few
uniformed volunteer companies in various
part. of the State. The whole mind of
our people was directed to peaceful and
industrial pursuits, conscious of no inten-
ton to injure the rights or interests
of others or in any way to violate the
Constitution under which We had thriven !;
they were unable to realize the designs of
wicked and abandoned men, even after
they had been publicly and boastingly
proclaimed Although for many months
war had been actually levied against the
United States in South Carolina and else
where, it is fact that the people of this
Commonwealth were first startled into a
sense of the common danger by the
bonlbardment of Fort Sumter. The Leg
islatule was then in session, and immedi-
ately made snch provisions as was at the
moment deemed necessary. But shortly
after its adjournme lit, events having rapid
Al, tol Oh
try being in apparent danger, deemed it
necessary to convene it again carly in
May, 1861, to adopt measures for placing
the Slate on footing adequate to the
emergency. This was promptly and cher
fully done. Five hundred thousand dol
lars had been appropriated at the regular
session for military purposes, and to that
sum was then added authority TO borrow
three millions of dollars. This loan, not
withstandiny the depressed condition of
the finances Of the country, and the alarui
and distrust then prevailing, was prompt
ly taken by cur own citizens at par ; and at
the suggestion of the Executive, laws
were passed for organizing our military
forces, and especially for Immediately
raising and supporting, at the expense of
the State, body of hfteen thousand men,
called the Reserve Corps, to be ready for
immediate service when required.
The Government of the United States
had called out 10000 to serve for three
months, of which the quota of Pcnnsylva-
MIA was immediately furnished.
The Reserve Corps was raised, equipped
and disciplined by the State, and contribu-
ted largely, under Providence, in saving
Washington after the first disaster at
Bull Run and from that time We contin-
ucd TO add reg s'ment after regiment the
service Of the. country required
From the first moment TO the present
hour the loyalty and indomitable spirit of
the freemen OF Pennsylvania have been
exhibited in every way and upon every
occasion. They have focked to the
standard of their country in her hour of
peril, and have borne it yictoriously on
the battle-felds from Maryland, Virginia.
and Kentucky, to the far South and South
west they have never faltered for mo-
ment. 1t has been my pride to occupy
position which enables me to become IA
miiar with all their patriotism and self
devotion, and to guide their efforts
Posterlty will do them full justice
Every requisition of the General Gov
ernment has been promptly fulfilled all
legislation in support of the cause has
been enacted without delay, and Pennsyl-
v4nia is entitled to be named first amongst
the States that have been throughout
unfiinchiag in their determination to
subdue the sacrilegious wretches who are
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